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Interior of Hijaz-Station, Damascus Date 20/11/08 Photo by Nicolai Meyer nico.unterwegs@googlemail.com

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Interior of Hijaz-Station, Damascus Date 20/11/08 Photo by Nicolai Meyer nico.unterwegs@googlemail.com

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Khaddam-Station, Damascus Station-Building Date 29/11/08 Photo by Nicolai Meyer nico.unterwegs@googlemail.com

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Khaddam-Station, Damascus Station-Mosque Date 29/11/08 Photo by Nicolai Meyer nico.unterwegs@googlemail.com

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syrien aleppo bagdadbahn, der alte bahnhof datum:08.09.1986 Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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syrien aleppo bagdadbahn, im alten bahnhof Villerroy & Boch Fliese datum:08.09.1986 Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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syrien damaskus Hedjaz-Bahnhof Datum:15.09.1986 in damaskus Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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syrien damaskus Hedjaz-Bahnhof Ausfahrt Datum:15.09.1986 in damaskus Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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syrien damaskus Hedjaz-Bahnhof Gebäude Gleisseite Datum:15.09.1986 in damaskus Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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syrien damaskus Hedjaz-Bahnhof Datum:15.09.1986 in damaskus Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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syrien damaskus Hedjaz-Bahnhof Fahrrad, Zaun,Glocke Datum:15.09.1986 in damaskus Foto: helfried werner hdwr@utanet.at

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Syria 26.9.2008: On arrival in Damascus there was time to view the Hedjaz Railway's magnificent Kanawat terminus. Alas the station is no longer used for trains as the lines south to Cadem were closed in 2003, in readiness for a supposed new Metro system, covered by an enormous retail/office/apartments complex. However, work had progressed no further than the excavation of a large trench beneath where once the rails ran. Note on the right hand side of the station, preserved 2-6-0T No. 62, a Jung-built (965/1906) 2-6-0, later converted into a tank engine. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Syria 26.9.2008: An interior photo of Damascus, Kanawat station, with its colourful stained-glass windows and superb oak panelling, balconies and ceiling. The former circulating area is today home to a library that sells many books and leaflets about Syria and its history. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Syria 26.9.2008: The ticket office at Damascus, Kanawat terminus, together with the customary picture of Syria's current President. The ticket offices are labelled (left and right): "Billets I et II Classes" and "Billets III et IV Classes". The left hand office is actually still selling tickets, but for the bus service that replaced trains between Kanawat and Cadem. Prior to that it was from these same windows that the many thousands of Haj Pilgrims bought their tickets for their Holy journey to Medina, in what is today, Saudi Arabia. When the Hedjaz Railway first opened, the 3-times weekly, 1,320km (825 mile), train journey took over 56 hours. However, this was a huge improvement upon the average 60 days previously taken by camel-train! Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Syria 28.9.2008: Following our fast running a lengthy stop was made at Mesmie station, for water and an oil-round of the loco. Here is the station building, in classic Hedjaz Railway form, but recently refurbished and with a concession to modernity - provision of an air-conditioner. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Syria 28.9.2008: Although Mesmie station had generally been refurbished, the same could not be said about the toilet facilities - the ladies among the tour group were not impressed! Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Syria 28.9.2008: Bringing water to the desert. This ancient water crane at the north end of Mesmie station was amazingly, still in working order. A similar crane at the south end had recently been replaced by a brand-new standpipe, from which the tour group's loco was watered. Such investment in steam infrastructure was encouraging... Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com