1. Jordan Hejaz Railway Reality & Aspiration Dr.A.MALKAWI Deputy General Director Jordan Hejaz Railway 1 Eskisehir,17-21 June 2013

2. 3 Presentation Layout: Introduction. Jordan Hejaz Railway Corporation. Plans and Aspirations of JHR.

3. Arab region is witnessing these days a rapid development in the field of transport. The leaders of the Arab countries took strategic decision in linking all Arab countries with railway. we look forward to the day when Arab world will connect with Europe via Jordan, Syria, Turkey and in the end with Europe with a modern rail system with international standards. Although I will talk to you today about the oldest railway line from history of the Arab region, which have been established 112 years ago in 1900 of the last century that the Hejaz railway, which represents an era of our history and might the latest revolution in the transport sector at that time. 4

4. Railways in the past and the present are very important for countries with large area and sprawling. Taking into account the pillar of Hajj in Islam, and overcome all the difficulties that were exposed to the pilgrims, Sultan Abdul Hamid in September 1900 (June first 1317 AH) has started work on a project to establish a railway up to the Hejaz, during the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his accession to the throne. 5

5. Sultan Abdul Hamid appeal to all Muslim countries and Muslims all over the world to raise funds to Hejaz rail way project construction, in order to facilitate the transfer of Muslim pilgrims to the Holy Land in Hejaz/ Saudi Arabia. all Muslim countries at that time support Sultan Abdul Hamid in the construction of HR which was (narrow (105 cm) weight of a central (10.5 tons)), with total long (1303) km, the project was completed in 1908. The maximum speed was 40 km / h while the normal speed was 25 km / h for pilgrims trips. 6

6. Estimated cost of the project about five million Ottoman gold liras which provided from: 1- Donations 2- Revenues of the Ottoman Empire: -Sale of stamps -Phosphate near Salt. -Mineral water in Hamma area in Jordan. 3.Ottoman government impose a special tax for HR. 7

7. The following factors reduced the expenses of the project: 1- The use of military personnel in the project construction. 2- The participation of many volunteers in the construction stage. 3- Donated materials from adjacent areas of the line. 8

8. The project also faced many difficulties: 1- Attacks of the southern Bedouin who opposed the project 2- High temperatures. 3- Diseases that affect the workers. 4- Lack of water sources. 5- The difficulty of transporting materials to the project areas. 9

9. The total number of HR stations are 59, starting from Al- Kadam station in Damascus up to the last station in Al-Madina Al- Munawara city with total length (1302.5)KM, and the length of the JH section in Jordan about (452). The number of steam locomotives (130) and passenger vehicles (116) The baggage and mail cars (35)and one mosque vehicle and truck (1048) trucks of various types. 10

10. The line have been worked for seven years (1908-1914), the highest number of passengers was transferred are (360 657) in 1914 (1332 AH) and the largest amount of goods that were moving at a rate (3) trains a week note that the maximum power line 10 trains. 11 transported (112 007) tons in 1913 (1331 AH), and the trains were

11. Successive administrations to manage the line following -Administration of Turkey: From 1900 to 1917AD -Administration of the Government of the British Mandate over Palestine represented in the management of railways in Palestine until 1948 (1367 AH). -Jordan Arab Army from 1948 until 1950 (1367-1369 H). 12

12. -Jordanian civil administration fom1950 until 1952 (1367-1371 H). -In 1952 (1371 AH) Jordan Hejaz Railway corporation (JHR) was established and still up to these days responsible of manage and invest property of HR within the territory of Jordan. 13

13. Jordan Hijaz Railway Corporation Jordan Hejaz railway corporation was established under Jordanian Law No. (23) in 1952 AD (1371 AH), and entrusted with the task of investing the Hejaz railway property located within the territory of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from the Jordanian-Syrian border in the north up to Al-Mudawara station in the south of Jordan. 14

14. -Transporting in a comfortable and safe conditions. -Investment of the assets of JHR. -Reserve the heritage of JHR. 15

15. Development of JHR performance to achieve safe and comfortable tourism by train and increase revenues from JHR investments, and preserve the heritage. 16

16. -Maintaining the continuity work of JHR and to maintain his properties. -Transporting goods and passengers from Jordan to Syria and vice versa. -Highlight the institution as befits its history linked on modern Jordan. -Management and investment property JHR. -Strengthening the national economy by contributing to the service of the transport sector for exports and imports. 17

17. Following stations are spread along Jordan: Al-Mafraq, Khirbet Al-Samra, Al- Zarqa, Amman, Al- Qaser, Al- Lubban, Al-Gizah, Dabb ’ a, Khan Al- Zabib, Swaqah, Al-Qatraneh, Al-Manzel, Al-Hasa, Jurf Al-Darawish, Onaizah, Jerdan, Maan, Bear Shideah, Baten Al-Ghoul, Mudawarah. 18

18. Al-Mafraq Amman Khirbet Al-Samra Al-Zarqa 19

19. Al-Qaser Al- Jizah Dab ’ ah 20 Al-Sowaqa

20. Al-Hasa Jurf Al- Darawish Al- Qutranah Khan Al-Zabib 21

21. Al-Lubban 22 Onaizah

22. - - Conduct various types of trains in order to meet the demands of the public by various categories of trains, diesel and steam through the reconstruction of locomotives and passenger coaches and wagons for goods. - - Maintain of railway infrastructure from north of Jordan up to south to insure the safe movement of trains. 23

23. -Preparation the JHR stations for investment and marketing to the private sector for the establishment of centers of attraction of the tourist hotels, restaurants and entertainment centers. -Restoration and expansion of the railway museum in Amman station to reflect the history and heritage of Hijaz line to be a center of attraction for foreign and domestic tourism. 24

24. -Strengthen the link between citizens and the font, the institution in connection with establishment of the Association of Friends of Hejaz railway to promote awareness and culture of the role and importance of the Hejaz railway in Jordanian society -JHR and some of cement factories in Jordan studying a possibility of the transfer cement to a number of cities within Jordan and to Syria 25

25. - Conversion of a number of old vehicles for use in different areas of the capital and tourist areas in the Jordan as train restaurant. 26

26. In the end this is an invitation from Jordan Hejaz Railway Corporation for interested in the tourism sector, investors, businessmen and various institutions to participate in JHR investment and to highlight the important heritage of the Hejaz railway and historical tourism. 27

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29. Dr.Malkawi@yahoo.com 28