I’d not noticed before, but this photo of the Malta Railway’s inauguration shows the marquees erected on Racecourse Road above Notabile station where refreshments were available for those on the official train on its arrival at 3:25 on 28th Feb 1883.

“The party then proceeded to the tents on the road above the station, H. E. the Governor and Mrs. Geneste leading the way. Refreshments were then served in the tents. Glasses having been filled with champagne“.

I’d also not realised that this was the SECOND official train on the railway. The first, the “Benediction” train, left Valletta at 11am and had largely been reserved for the Archbishop of Malta, about 50 other clergy, Reverend Mothers, and a few other ladies.

The Malta Standard reported the passengers of the first service were “all feeling pretty safe as it is well known that it is a fundamental principle of Railway Management “Never kill a bishop.”

The station and line were blessed as part of this journey before returning to Valletta and forming the main celebration train which departed at 3pm.