SAN SALVATORE
5 miles, 5 chains – Journey time 20 mins
…for the Lunatic Asylum
Taking it’s name from a nearby wayside chapel, San Salvatore station was probably the most remote station on the whole line and built primarily to serve the nearby Mount Carmel Lunatic Asylum. This institution was a large purpose-built hospital for the mentally ill; an extensive Victorian complex enough for around 400 patients at the time the railway opened. The station would have been convenient for family and friends visiting relatives, or commuting medical staff and officials.
It was the last of the intermediate stops on the journey from Valletta. As with all the original stations between Birkirkara and Notabile, it was provided with a small standard building and shelter, and a low platform. This also housed the guard responsible for attending the chains at the level crossing on the adjacent Mdina road.
The level crossing was a constant nuisance. The sharp angle at which the railway crossed it repeatedly damaged carriage wheels; its replacement was an immediate priority for the Government when they took over the railway in 1891. A new stone skew bridge was built, with steep road embankments either side in a chicane arrangement; hardly ideal, but a great improvement on what it replaced.
At the same time, the opportunity was taken to add a new passing loop here, allowing more trains to be run on the single track between Birkirkara and Notabile. This required the demolition of the existing station building and the platform too. Rather than re-provide the facilities in a new structure the decision was made to incorporate another arch in the new bridge design, into which a single-room ticket office and shelter were inserted.
With the new passing loop installed on the south side of the main line the station platform was removed, replaced with a slim strip 2.5 feet wide, sandwiched between the two tracks; more a narrow step than an actual station platform. This must have been a highly dangerous arrangement should two trains use the station at the same time. Fortunately, no accidents are recorded, but the passing loop may only ever found use on feast days or race days in Rabat.
After closure the bridge was quickly demolished for the straightening of the road. This took the passenger shelter with it, but, until recently, some of the original trees continued to mark the station site. San Salvatore had a mix of trees that gave it a distinct character. Alternating Norfolk Pines and palms were unique planting on the line, giving a degree of shelter from the sun and wind in this exposed spot.
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