Thomas Kautzor writes of his visit between 3rd and 5th May 2024 and a
further 4 day visit in December 2025 (parts 6 and 7).
Located about one kilometre southwest of the Prophet’s Mosque, trains entered Medina station from the north next to the large station building, which was the first building in present day Saudi Arabia to have electric lighting. The large fenced-off complex comprises a dozen of buildings, including Masjid al-Suqya, a small mosque which commemorates the place where Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) gathered his troops before the battle of Badr, a goods shed, large 4-track loco sheds/workshops, a 4-tank water tower and a 2-storey station manager’s quarters. The large Anbarija Mosque opposite the station was built at the same time as the railway.
The abandoned complex was turned into a park and museum between 2001 and 2004. Up to that time, six abandoned steam locos could be found here (2-6-0 54, 2-8-0 105/111/157 and 158, as well as the DHP 0-6-0T now at Tabuk), as well as lots of derelict rolling stock. In 2004, a Syrian CFH loco driver back from Hajj reported that No. 105 was being restored to working order, while No. 158 had been sectioned for display in the loco shed/railway museum (later reports suggest that it was actually No. 111 that was sectioned). Photos from the IRFCA gallery showed No. 105’s trial runs in either 2005 or 2006, driven by Bangalore shed loco driver Mr. A. Abdul Wajeed. In 10.2007, Syrian CFH loco driver Mr. Habib reported having been on loan to Medina Museum over three periods of two weeks, the last time one month earlier, to replace Mr. Wajeed, who had returned to India after his contract had not been renewed. He said that No. 105 with a restored Baume & Marpent passenger coach from 1905 would run over a distance of 300 meters six times per night between 20h and 03h.
At the time of restoration, derelict equipment including one of 2-8-0 157/158, the DHP 0-6-0T and a number of carriages and chassis had been lined up at the north side of the complex by 09.2004. A part of these were probably restored to be put on display at Tabuk, Medain Saleh and Al Buwayr. By 08.2013 the line-up had disappeared and by 01.2015 a dump of chassis and water tanks had appeared on the southern side of the complex.
The station complex has now been closed for 2 or 3 years for restoration works to the buildings. On display in the yard are a 2-8-0, either No. 157 or 158 (SLM 2292 or 2293/1912), together with a tender and nine restored covered wagons, a 4-wheel guard’s van at the station end, a bogie guard’s van, an armoured wagon, a low-sided open wagon, a tank wagon and an 4-wheel covered wagon outside the loco sheds.
Further, the locked loco sheds/workshops should contain:
· 2-6-0 54 (Hartmann 3094/1907, ex 49), restored cosmetically
· 2-8-0 105 (Hartmann 3465/1910, ex 64), formerly serviceable
· 2-8-0 111 (Hartmann 3546/1912), sectioned boiler
· a 3rd class passenger coach (Baume & Marpent 1905, 64 seats)
There is no proof that locos 101 at Al Buwayr, 111, 157 and 158 would not have been switched at some point during restoration, given that the Hartmann and SLM 2-8-0s were almost identical. It is also not known where the loco at Medain Saleh went after 2023.
