Standard-gauge half to Kalambaka inaugurated 27-10-2001, railfan initiative keeps also the eastern metre-gauge half alive!
Thessalian metre gauge had closed down on June, 29th 1998.
The first hit by the government's anti-rail policy was the 160km (100 miles) long Volos - Kalambaka metre gauge line. It was completed in
1886 as a main part of the Thessalian network, connecting all important
cities in Thessaly with Meteora, the region's most famous landmark. This
network was until recently the backbone of the rich Thessalian Plains,
but during its last 2 decades it was deliberately downgraded and left to
starve little-by-little.
The excuse for closure was regauging of the western Kalambaka - Palaeopharsalus
(Demerli) Section, which was lifted in record time. However, the standard gauge in operation since 27-01-2001, runs mostly adjacent
to the operating metre gauge, and closure would only have been necessary
for few nights. Moreover, the existing line could assist in building the
new one and dismantling the old one. At any case, the new line should be
built in mixed gauge, as conversion of the eastern half to Volos
may be delayed for decades.
Obsolete rolling stock dumped on the western part is concentrated
on the eastern one to make room for track dismantling. Most of the operational
rolling stock was transferred to the Peloponnese, while a vintage railcar
with some cars remain in Thessaly for eventual
special workings over the mothballed Eastern section.
Active preservationists of the Railway Enthusiasts' Association took over this section and run occasional excursion and maintenance trains with speeders, a Linke-Hofmann vintage railcar and a 4-wheel industrial diesel loco (Nippon 1971, ex- Public Electricity Board).
The last entirely metre-gauge timetable (Winter 1997-98)
Downwards
Upwards
| 1881 |
1843 |
1883 |
1885 |
1845 |
1887 |
1847 |
1889 |
1840 |
2881 |
STATIONS |
1844 |
1880 |
1882 |
1846 |
1884 |
1848 |
1886 |
1850 |
1888 |
2880 |
|
5.11 |
|
|
11.02 |
|
14.32 |
|
18.08 |
|
0km Volo |
8.52 |
|
|
13.57 |
|
17.27 |
|
21.44 |
|
|
|
5.36 |
|
|
11.27 |
|
14.57 |
|
18.33 |
|
20 Velestino |
8.29 |
|
|
13.34 |
|
17.04 |
|
21.21 |
|
|
| 4.37 |
7.02 |
9.58 |
10.55 |
13.08 |
14.56 |
16.24 |
19.11 |
20.01 |
22.30 |
80 Demerli |
7.05 |
8.57 |
10.33 |
12.09 |
14.19 |
15.39 |
18.21 |
19.57 |
21.36 |
0.53 |
| 6.18 |
8.43 |
11.44 |
12.36 |
14.50 |
16.37 |
18.05 |
20.53 |
21.42 |
0.11 |
161Kalambaka |
5.19 |
7.16 |
8.52 |
10.19 |
12.38 |
13.51 |
16.40 |
18.08 |
19.54 |
23.12 |
This project relies entirely on volunteer labour! Volunteering railfans wanted for all jobs!
Preservation of rolling stock and fixed equipment becomes
a priority! You may e-mail
the author for further details on stock disposal