This year marks 110 years of the Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway (ISAP) operation and the 145th anniversary since the first train inaugurated the urban railway.
On February 27, 1869, a steam train with six wagons carrying Queen Olga, Greek Prime Minister Zaimis, ministers, diplomats, military officers and other officials as passengers, started its first route from Thiseio to Piraeus. The connection between Athens and Piraeus through an urban rail became a reality and was considered a historical event.
The story behind the connection of Greece ’s largest port and downtown Athens is depicted in the Electric Railway Museum which opened its doors in 2005.
Manolis Fotopoulos had envisioned the creation of a museum that would show the story of Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway to the world since 1990. In 1995, he started collecting items and searched for ways to make his vision a reality. Now, all his findings that were of significant historical value are part of an exhibition in the Electric Railway Station of Piraeus.
Upon entering the museum, visitors are automatically transferred to another era as they see old wagons, pictures of old railway stations, old ticket stubs and a model of the railway’s tunnel . One of the main attractions is an old wooden wagon, accompanied by the train control machinery, objects and machines such as ticket vendors, benches, clocks and plaques.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
