Jordan 20.9.2008: Shortly after crossing Amman Viaduct the line does a 180 degree turn at the end of a valley, passing through a 460 foot (140m) long, curved tunnel. Immediately after the tunnel exit the line crosses a dual carriageway road on the level and it was here that the tour group saw the only road barriers in the entire climb to Qasir. They were hand-operated by a member of staff from Amman station, who had made a special journey out, in a car, to operate the gates. With whistle shrieking and wheels squealing on the tight curve, 2-8-2 No. 23 (RSH 7433/1952), blasts out of the tunnel.
Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com