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last update 22/12/09 |
Cyprus Government Railway by Jim Wigmore | |
| PREVIOUS |  Further to the article in the Cyprus Circular Post Vol XIII No.5 and the editor's request for information relating to what happened to the locomotives. No.1 survived on a plinth at what was Famagusta Railway Station see picture left (click on picture to see full size view). The picture was taken in 1961. It was later featured on one of the stamps of TRNC issued on 31st December 1986 to commemorate the railway. I believe this is the odd tank engine referred to as having been left by the contractors who built the line, the builders plate on the cab side states Hunslet Engine Company. At least one of the coaches survived, in 1961 it was on blocks in the town of Famagusta painted a rather drab mid Green all over including the windows, and was being used as a bar in the evenings. The end veranda was intact and being used as the entrance, the interior was very original, and was complete with padded seats so it must have been one of the first or second class vehicles. The site of Famagusta Station at this time still had all the appearance of railway buildings, and was being used by the local police, the junction where the line came up from the harbour was still evident minus track, and the point where the line used to enter the tunnel could be seen, although a new road junction had destroyed the rest. The site of the Railway Station in Nicosia was being used by the Government Agency that collected Road Tax on Vehicles. The site still had a railway appearance, and there was evidence of where a locomotive turntable had been.
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