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Ottoman

History of the Hejaz Railway:

The Hejaz Railway (also spelled Hedjaz) was originally built to transport pilgrims from the city of Damascus in Syria to the city of Madina in Saudi Arabia. It was completed in 1908, but was severely …

Ottoman Empire: Introduction:

The Middle East lay in the grips of the Ottoman Empire for over a thousand years. As with previous empires, the Ottomans left their unique mark on Nabataea.

Hejaz Photos #1 - Construction:

These photos are from the earliest days of the Hejaz railway, many taken during construction. 1903-1909

Dera to Haifa Line:

Click on the links to follow the rail line between Deraa and Heifa. The stations are arranged in the order that one would pass though on the trip. Today this trip is impossible, as the bridge over the …

Maps and Stations:

Maps of the Hejaz Railroad Note: Regarding Map: Saudi Railway.gif (Halet Amm’ar to Madina Station) The names of 41 stations / stops are taken directly from the name plates except for a couple of …

Damascus Station:

Damascus marks the start of the Hejaz Railway. While the old city and bazaar in Damascus attracts almost everyone, train enthusiasts usually head down to the old train station to experience something …

Ottoman World Maps:

In 1493 Columbus claimed he had discovered a new world, and indeed he had. For the world he discovered was unknown to the Spanish and Portuguese. But from ancient maps it appears that this world was …

Hejaz Photos #2 1909 - 1920:

These photos were taken between 1909 and 1920.

Station Distances:

Damascus to Medina The table below provides the names of the Hejaz Railway stations, and the distance of each station from Damascus. The following table lists the stations from Beruit to Damascus …

Damascus to Beruit:

.page-links a.row{ color:black; align-items:center; } Damascus Station Baramke Dumar El Hamma Station Jedeide Ain Fije Deir Kanun Suk Wadi Barada and Tunnel …

Cadem Station:

While Cadem was a busy station in its own right, it was also the home of the main Hejaz Railway Workshop. So there were always many locomotives here for repair, or just standing around. Many were kept …

Cadem Yard:

Here are photos of trains, locomotives, and rolling stock that were in Cadem yard at one time or another.

Cadem Workshop and Roundhouse:

The Cadem Workshop is located in Damascus. It was the main workshop for the Hejaz Railway, and is still in use today. Any railway enthusiast will find a wealth of information here, as well as an …

The Locomotives:

Locomotives Classes La Meuse, St. Leonard, and Krauss Locomotives Hohenzollern, Jung, Borsig, and Henschel Locomotives Hartmann Locomotives SLM Locomotives Sentinel, …

Dera to Bosra Line:

Dera-Bosra Line .page-links a.row{ color:black; align-items:center; } Dera'a Station Garez Station El Taibeh Station Gasim Station Bosra Station Bosra Citadel …

Hejaz Photos #3 1903 - 1920:

These photos were taken between 1903 and 1920.

Ma'an to Ras al Naqb Line:

Ma’an to Ras al Naqab Branch Line (enroute to Aqaba) During the construction of the Hijaz railroad in 1908, drilling crews discovered phosphate rock deposits along various parts of the railway. …

Kiswi Station:

Kiswi Station Photos

Hejaz Photos #4 1898 to 1930s:

Miscellaneous photos from 1898 to 1930s

Jerusalem to Jaffa Line:

Jerusalem to Jaffa Line .page-links a.row{ color:black; align-items:center; } Jerusalem Jaffa Station Auja Beer Sheba Beer Sheeba Line Miscellaneous Places Israel …

Deir Ali Station:

Deir Ali Station Photos

Hejaz Photos #5 1909 to 1940:

Hejaz Photos 1909 to 1940

Masmie Station:

Masmie Station Photos

Hejaz Photos #6 1905 to 1950s:

Hejaz Photos 1905 to 1950s

Jebab Station:

Jebab Station Photos

Hejaz Photos #7 1905 - 1967:

Hejaz Photos 1905 - 1967

Khabab Station:

Khabab Station Photos

Hejaz Photos #8 1947 to 1970s:

Hejaz Photos 1947 to 1970s

Muhaji Station:

Muhaji Station

Garaz Station:

Ottoman Ship Types:

Ottoman Ship Types Types of Turkish Ships

Izra Station :

Izra Station pictures

Hejaz Photos #10 1970s- 1980s:

Hejaz Photos 1970s- 1980s

Ghazale Station:

Ghazale Station Photos

Hejaz Photos #9 70s - 80s:

Hejaz Photos 70s - 80s

Dera'a Station:

Dera Station is the main cross-roads for the east-west line and the north-south line. To follow the rail line east or west, use the links on the page Other Middle Eastern Railways. To continue on …

Dera'a Yard:

Dera’a Yard Photos

Miscellaneous Pictures:

Here are miscelaneous photos that didn’t fit into any other catagories. A steam-hauled excursion train to Qatrana (for Petra) steams across Ing. Meissner Pasha's majestic replica of a …

Nesib Station:

Nasib (Arabic: نصيب‎) is a Syrian village located in Daraa District, Daraa. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Nasib had a population of 5,780 in the 2004 census. Nasib Border …

Mufraq Station:

Mufraq Station The town of Mufraq stands at the cross roads, with a major highway going north to Damascus, and a southern route to Amman Jordan. From Mufraq a major highway goes east to Iraq. So …

Samra Station:

Samra Station Special thanks to John Winterburn for this photo. (c) JB Winterburn

Zarqa Station:

Although inhabited since the 1st century, the city of Zarqa grew significantly when immigrants from the Caspian Sea region arrived. The first settlement in the city was established in 1902 by Chechen …

Amman Station:

In 1878, the Ottoman authorities directed the Circassian immigrants who were mainly of peasant stock to settle in Amman, and distributed arable land among them. The first Circassian settlers lived …

Qasir Station and Cistern:

The word Qasir means Castle. The only spot along the railline that I could identify as Mahattat al Qasr is this castle and nearby cistern.

Lebban:

Libban Station is most likely at: 31°48’25.32”N 35°58’4.33”E Special thanks to John Winterburn for this photo. (c) JB Winterburn

Jiza Station:

Jizza Station is near the Amman Airport 31°42’42.70”N 35°57’42.15”E Construction of the railway near Jiza station in 1903 Jizza Stop Rolling stock near Jizza …

Sawaka Station (Suaka):

Sawaka Station (Suaka) Suwaqa Station Photos above copyright Dr Nicholas Saunders and GARP. http://www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org/

Qatrana Station and Castle:

Al Qatrana Station Rail car in the Al Qatrana yard .. Photo courtesy of Peter Herrett he Water Tower at Qatrana Station .. Photo courtesy of Peter Herrett Qatrana Station photo by German …

Sultana Station:

Sultana Station Sultana Station as seen from the highway

Wadi Jurdoun Stop:

Special thanks to Harel Even for this wonderful photo.

Firaifir Station:

This is a very small station stop

Hassa Station:

Hassa Station is in the desert, but marks where trunnof starts for Wadi Hassa which flows into the Dead Sea The station is on the right when looking from town.

Jerowf-Darwish Station:

Jerowf-Darwish Station The town as seen from the highway.

Ma'an Station:

Ma’an was a famous stop on the pilgrim route, and is often called the “Pilgrim City.” You can reach this route by car or bus, by traveling south from Amman on the Desert Highway that …

Bir Shidiya Stop:

Some stations according to the Ottoman State Year Books and “Stations on the Most Exalted Pilgrimage” the stations along the route from Maan to Madawera where almost all simple water holes …

Aqabat Hijaz Stop:

According to the Ottoman State Year Books and “Stations on the Most Exalted Pilgrimage” the stations along the route from Maan to Madawera where almost all simple water holes and caravan …

Batn al-Ghul Station:

Batn al Ghul station is located on a cut through the mountains south of Ma’an where the railway drops down to the lower desert. Building this was a real challenge, and it was apparently a very …

Mudawara Station:

Mudawwara oasis. Mudawwara oasis. The Old Town of Mudawara Down in the flat desert. It is through these mountains that the railway takes the plunge through Battan al Ghul down to the …

Dahr elBeidar/Ain Sofar:

Special cogs were used to help the train as it climbed up and down the steep slopes of Dahr al Baydar. Photo taken in 1895 Murat Khan viaduct on the Dahr Al Baydar mountains 1895

Bhamdun/Manchra/ Aleih:

Bhamdun Station Special cogs used to secure the train as it climbed up and down the steep slopes of Bhamdun.

Khalat Ammar Station:

These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Halat Amar Station:

Halat Amar Station Locomotive 110, Hartmann 3545 from 1911

Dhat al Haj Station:

Turkish Fort

Bir Hermas Station:

Hazm Station:

Copyright Gerhard Henrich These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Makhtab Station:

This photo was supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Tabuk Station:

Tabuk Station in 1909 The photos below were taken by Jim Easler in 1965, during a visit to Saudi Arabia. Tabuk Police Station 1965 Colonel Vaughn with 3 Saudi Officers at the old Hejaz RR …

Wadi Athil Station:

Wadi Atil Bridge over Wadi Utheyli Wadi Atil Bridge over Wadi Utheyli Wadi Atil Bridge over Wadi Utheyli Wadi Atil Bridge over Wadi Utheyli Wadi Atil Bridge over Wadi Utheyli

Dar al Hajj Station:

Also known as SahrulGhul, or Khasm Birk. Photo supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Qurayn Ghazal Station:

Qurayn Ghazal Station (or Akhdar Al Mantuwny) This photo was supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Mustabagha Station:

Mustabagha Station This photo was supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Akhdar Station (Ahzar):

According to Osman Levend, the “Bughaz” (i.e. a Defile) station was a nickname given by Turkish conscripts stationed at this site. The official name was “Ahzar” or “al …

Khamis Station:

Khamis Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Al Asad Station:

Al Asad Station. The name plate seems to be wrong: Ralid Ra’ak, or Ralid Ra’ad, or Deir Ud? There is some disagreement over the name of this station. The problem with the name originates …

Mu'azzum Station:

Mu’azzum Station A photo taken at the station in 1909 The photos below were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Khashim Sana'a Station:

Khashim Sana’a Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Dar Hamra Station:

Dar Hamra Station Note: This is listed in the Ottoman Year Books as Dar el Hamra. These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see …

Al Mutalla Station:

Al Mutalla Station, Also known as Al Matab Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Jabel Abu Taqah Station:

Al Muzzaham Fort These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Mabarakat Station:

Mabarakat Station Although both el Muzahhim” and “Mubârekât et Taka stations are well recorded in the State Books, the one at Mubârekât et Taka” is not mentioned in PTT Lists; no …

Medain Saleh Station:

Medain Saleh Station also known as Al Hidjr Station Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz …

Meda'in Saleh Museum:

Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for this photo Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for …

Wadi Al Hashish Station:

Wadi Al Hashish Station This picture was supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway in Saudi Araia, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Al Ula Station:

El Ula Station Al Ula Station in 1917 taken by pilot Capt. Thomas Henderson M.C. Special thanks to Roger Bragger for sending the above photo. You can visit his site at: …

Al Bedai Station:

Al Bedai Station The Al Bedai blockhouse was located south of Al-Ula. It is 580 meters above sea level and 1003 km from Damascus. The name Al Bedai means “beautiful creation” or “a …

Mashad Station:

Mashad Station. This station was also listed as Al Moughairah. These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: …

Sahal Al Matran Station:

Sahal Al Matran Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Zumrud Station:

Zumrud Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Bir Jahid Station:

These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Tawayra Station:

Tawayra Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Wayban Station:

Wayban Station This photo was supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Mudaraj Station:

Mudaraj Station These pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Hadiyah Station:

HADIYAH STATION (N25° 32.460’: E38° 44.295’) The Hadiyah Station was a major stopping point for trains on the Hejaz Railway. The Station area comprises of black basalt buildings though the blockhouse …

Bir Jaha'ad Station:

Bir Jaha’ad Station hese pictures were supplied by Gerhard Henrich. For more great pictures of the Hejaz Railway, please see Gerhard’s site: http://www.henrich-center.de/index.html.

Abu Na'am Station:

ABU NA’AM (N25° 13.778: E38° 49.450) This site is of historical importance because it was the first of two attacked by Lawrence of Arabia within Saudi Arabia. It comprises a black basalt …

Antar Station and Blockhouse:

Antar Station Photos

Buwayra Station:

Buwayra Station

Bir Nasif Station & Blockhouse:

Bir Nasif Station and Blockhouse

Buwat Station:

Buwat Station

Hafirah Station and Blockhouse:

Hafirah Station (N24° 35.300’ E39° 21.600’) This site comprises a two storey blockhouse for twenty-five soldiers, a barrack block housing about a hundred soldiers and a single water tower (most often …

Muhit Station:

Muhit Station &Blockhouse (N24° 29.664’: E39° 28.200’) Another name for this station is Bir Osman, meaning “Osman’s Well.” This may be a more modern name, as the Ottoman …

Medina Station:

Medina Station Thank yo Maaz for these great photos. This photo was sent to us by Roger Bragger. It was taken in 1917 by Capt. Thomas Henderson M.C You can visit Roger Bragger’s site …

Medina Museum and Yard:

Medina Station Museum Above: Restored Quad Tanks Thanks to Maaz Gazdar for the more recent photos div.gallery { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } div.gallery a { flex-grow: 1; object-fit: …

Ottoman Railway in Yemen:

The following excerpt has been taken from “Arabia Infelix” by G. Wyman Bury, Kessinger Publishing, Republished in Dec 2004, Paperback, 264 pages, ISBN17975180 Special thanks to Peter …

Wadi Rum Trains:

The old Wadi Rum Station This appears to be Hejaz Railway locomotive # 23, (RS&H 2-8-2) Thank you Attilo for sending us this photo. Modern train from the mines

Grand Hussein Mosque:

Mosque Name: Masjid al-Umawi Country: Amman City: Jordan Year of construction (AH): 106 AH Year of construction (AD): 725 AD GPS: 31°56’59.16”N 35°56’5.15”E Gibson …