THE MEMORY ROOM OF OUR IDENTITY: OUR MUSEUMS

Experimental School of the University Of Athens

Museum of the Electric Railways

1835-1867: Initiatives of Greek politicians and wealthy Greek people for the establishment of the railway in the newborn Greek State.1867: Commission to the English company “Edward Pickering” for the establishment and exploitation of the Athens-Piraeus Railway.

The First Train’s Trip1869: The first steam railway comes into use and the line from Thission to Piraeus, 8 km. long, connects the biggest port of the country with the centre of Athens.

The first locomotive was named after Queen Olga of Greece (1867-1913).

1875: The English company was sold to the Bank of Credit.

The Athens-Piraeus Railway becomes one of the country's symbols of progress and prosperity.

New locomotives were bought, coaches were produced in the company's factory at Piraeus and the line expanded.

1895: The line reaches Omonia, the very heart of the Greek capital.1904: The train uses for the first time electricity to move.

1930: The new Omonia Station is inaugurated by the Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos.

Thanks to the railway…At the end of the 19th century Athens comes nearer to the sea and the seashore develops rapidly.

1957: The

line reaches

the terminal

station of

Kifissia. Οnly

3,2 km are

underground

out of a total

of 26.

2000: ΑTTIKO METRO Co is established and the Electric Railways becomes the Green Line of the Αthenian metro, with 24 stations.

Museum of the Electric Railways

2005: The Museum was inaugurated in the Piraeus Terminal Station of the Electric Railways.

Retired employees of the Athens and Piraeus Electric Railway Company have gathered here a lot of objects, machinery, photos, personal equipment used by the workers of the Company, even a 19th century wooden coach, which visitors can see on the ground floor of the Museum.

Today the Company's Association of Pensioners run the Museum, offer free guided tours to the visitors and promote the Museum through educational programs for school classes.

Bibliography

http://www.museum-synt-isap.gr Ηλεκτρικοί Σιδηρόδρομοι 1869-1969, Αθήνα 1970

[ Greek Electric Railways 1869-1969]

Editing:Nefeli Paraskevopoulou