Seventeen decorative arches greet you. This is Medina Station the southern terminus of the Hejaz Railway. Built less than a kilometer from the Prophet’s Mosque it served as a vital hub during the region’s most turbulent times.
Medina Station wasn’t just a train station. It was a bustling complex. An operations center hummed with activity. Passenger and employee rest houses offered weary travelers respite. Residences housed the station master and maintenance supervisor. Washrooms provided basic sanitation. An engine shed sheltered powerful locomotives. Repair yards kept the railway running. A goods office managed freight. A storehouse held supplies. Sidings allowed for train maneuvering. A turntable facilitated locomotive turns. A four-tank water tower ensured a constant water supply. The station’s grand scale reflected its significance as a key destination for the pilgrimage.
The station opened on September 1 1908. This coincided with the anniversary of Sultan Abdulhamid II’s accession. The ceremony was attended by a massive crowd over 30000 strong. They came to witness the laying of the cornerstone of the adjacent Al Anbaria Mosque. The mosque’s construction mirrored the station’s. This collaboration between religious and secular projects symbolized the Ottoman Empire’s ambition.
The railway’s swift construction between AlUla and Medina concealed its flaws. The rush to complete it in time for the Sultan’s anniversary resulted in shortcuts. Temporary detours replaced bridges and culverts. Heinrich Meissner the German Chief Engineer couldn’t oversee the southern part. Basic construction standards suffered in his absence. A.J. Wavell a pilgrim found wrecked engines. These derailments resulted from poor track laying.
The railway line faced strong opposition. Local tribes resisted the Hejaz Railway. They feared the “iron donkey” would threaten their livelihood. The Al Harb tribe revolted. Wavell received warnings before arriving in Medina. He was advised to surrender quietly if attacked. Gunfire echoed across the city upon his arrival. The station had been attacked earlier that day.
Medina Station played a crucial role during World War I. It was vital for defending the city and the wider Hejaz region. When the Arab Revolt began in 1916 the first battles happened outside Medina’s walls. Despite Allied and Arab forces Medina held out. This was due to its strong fortifications and its well-equipped garrison of 14000 men. The city’s lifeline was its railway. A fuel shortage forced the stripping of houses for fuel. This ensured the locomotives could operate.
Despite plans for evacuation in 1918 Allied raids cut off the railway. This prevented the withdrawal of the garrison. Medina ultimately fell in January 1919. This was not a defeat in battle. A mutiny among officers handed over Fakhri Pasha to the enemy.
The line eventually fell into disrepair. The last through trains arrived in 1925. Heavy rains made the southern section impassable. Medina Station’s restoration began in 2004. It now houses the Islamic Museum exhibiting Medina’s history. This remarkable site is a testament to the city’s enduring significance. Stand here and imagine the countless journeys. They began and ended right here at Medina Station a piece of living history.