Did you know that the Hejaz Jordan Railway Museum in Amman is home to over 250 exhibits? It showcases the rich history of the Hejaz Railway. Let’s step back in time. We’re standing before the Hejaz Jordan Railway Museum. This isn’t just a museum. It’s a portal to a bygone era.
The Hejaz Railway Museum stands as a testament to ambition. Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II dreamed of connecting Istanbul to Mecca by train in 1900. Imagine Istanbul connected to Mecca by train. The Hejaz Railway was named after the Hejaz region. Mecca and Medina are located there.
Construction progressed quickly, and Muslim donors entirely financed the project. Some were even compelled to donate. The railway aimed to transport pilgrims performing Hajj. It also helped the Ottoman Empire control distant provinces. The line ran from Damascus to Medina, with a branch to Haifa.
However, the line faced frequent attacks during the British-backed Arab Revolt. T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, orchestrated it. The project ended with World War I. The Hejaz line never reached Mecca, falling 400 kilometers short.
After the Ottoman Empire’s collapse in 1920, the Hejaz Railway split. Two railways emerged. These were the Chemin de Fer de Hedjaz Syrie and the Hejaz Jordan Railway. The HJR operated the railway within the Emirate of Transjordan. In 1946, Jordan gained independence. The railway became the state railway. The state did not own it, though. A branch line from Ma’an to Aqaba was built in 1975. The Aqaba Railway Corporation bought this line in 1979.
Inside the Hejaz Jordan Railway Museum, discover more than 250 exhibits. These include murals depicting the railway’s development. You can see steam and diesel locomotives. Steam locomotives include the 23 built in 1951. Diesel locomotives include the A1A-A1A GE U10B built in 1976.
Though railway operations between Jordan and Syria are suspended now due to conflict, the Hejaz Jordan Railway’s legacy lives on. The tracks remain. There was a proposal to transform the Amman portion into a tree-lined promenade. It would stretch through Amman. Leisure areas, bicycle paths and cafes would border it.
The Hejaz Jordan Railway is older than Jordan itself. Once, a journey from Damascus to Mecca took three days by train. Before that, it took pilgrims 50 to 55 days by camel. The Hejaz Jordan Railway Museum keeps this history alive. It connects us to a time of grand dreams. It reminds us of the region’s evolving story. Take a moment to reflect on the history. Consider the ambition and the challenges faced. The Hejaz Jordan Railway Museum stands as a symbol. It represents both progress and resilience.