Syria 27.9.2008: The Hedjaz Railway Locomotive Works at Cadem, Damascus, basically unaltered since building in the 1900s, with the exception of the provision of electricity for powering the many machine tools and workshops. Sadly, all is now idle, with this museum collection of 14 locomotives parked outside, fairly well restored externally, but with many being incomplete in some details. 2-8-2 No.263 (Hartmann 4032/1918) is closest to the camera and interesting, in that the loco was delivered to Cadem Works as a "kit of parts", just as World War 1 was ending. No.263 and sisters 264/5, were then erected at Cadem Works by the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers. If anyone wishes to have a list of locomotives seen at Cadem that day, by all means contact me by e-mail.
Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com