Pakistan

Golra Railway Station: Steeped in history

The 19th Century train station now houses a museum of railways-associated items

Photo: Huma Choudhary Photo: Huma Choudhary/Huma Choudhary November 08, 2015

A riveted water tank still in use, a weighing machine, an antique telephone, a bogie-rescue crane, a steam engine, the economy waiting room turned into a museum, and the first-class waiting room. PHOTOS: HUMA CHOUDHARY

ISLAMABAD:

After driving on a dusty, pot-holed road, one arrives at the Golra Railway Station, near Sector E-11.

Situated amid dense foliage of centuries-old Banyan trees, the station welcomes visitors with a birds-eye view of steam engines, red-stone Victorian architecture and wonderfully carved wooden benches.

Established in 1881 and upgraded to a junction in 1912, the Golra Railway Station has been used by residents of Rawalpindi and its outskirts for over a century.

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It lies on the main line of the Pakistan Railways and more than 20 trains pass through this station every day.

The station that once linked Peshawar, Jhelum, Havelian and Multan was turned into a heritage museum at the end of 2002. Victorian crockery, utensils, clocks, guns used by guards at train stations, fireplaces, telephones and typewriters have all found a home at the museum, which remains open for visitors from 9am to 4pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2015.