Hamrun remains – The Malta Railway

Hamrun to Msida

Cherished survivals

Even though Government ownership saw all major Malta Railway stations rebuilt in some way, Hamrun underwent the greatest transformation. Its position as the closest above-ground to the Valletta terminus made it the logical choice to base the engine and carriage sheds. From here engines could be prepared and trains made up to start their journey from the capital. However, the financial straits the railway company found itself during construction saw only the most basic provisions made on opening in 1883.

The railway engineering works dominate this view down onto the station precinct from the east. The attached station building is obscured behind them. The single-storey building beyond, just to the right incorporates part of the original 1883 engine shed.

Alongside the new workshop, parallel with the southern boundary of the station, was a replacement carriage shed, offsetting the loss of the old one to engine shed use and expanding on accommodation. The new shed was built on a series of long stone arcades with a flat concrete roof and entirely open to the front.

Hamrun station building was recently restored and repainted in the colour scheme introduced when the building was substantially extended in 1903-4, possibly to disguise the scars left by the work.

The back of the engineering works fronting Il-Ferovjia. The public toilets have been inserted beneath one of the original window openings.

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Currently leased to Benna, the railway depot survives in good shape.

Looking back towards Hamrun station from the west.
1. The truncated end of the 1883 engine shed. 2. The station building. 3. Site of the ticket office and station master’s office. 4. the back of the engineering works. 5. Approximate alignment of the track. It’s possible that the trees are part of the original planting within the boundary of the station.

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Reused railway rails form tree supports on the street nearby, possibly for specimens that date to the railway era.

Hidden along a private lane, the architectural detail of the north side of the 1883 engine shed can be appreciated.

Rail road replacement

Aerial view of Hamrun looking west with the line of the track highlighted.
1. Hamrun station precinct. 2. Line of back yards across re-developed trackbed. 3. Beyond the church of the Immaculate conception (built on the vacant railway line) Triq il-Kappillan Mifsud replaces the course of the railway as far as…. 4. The site of Misda station

1.

Triq il-Kappillan Mifsud now follows the line of the railway curving into the distance on its journey towards Msida beyond.

Floriana remains

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Msida remains