To the misery of investors, construction work had been slow and beset by problems, delaying the line’s opening until 28th Feb 1883. The inauguration provides us with some of the most detailed evidence for the station’s appearance, with a number of photos taken to commemorate the event. The special train, formed of seven carriages, was hauled into Notabile by the first two of the line’s engines suitably decorated. Another carriage, seen poised in the passing loop, must have been physically manhandled onto the back of the arriving train before the locomotives were individually switched into the passing loop to take their place at the head of the return journey. After posed photos of the assembled party the train set back off for Valletta.
Looking down onto Racecourse Road from Saqqajja Hill in Rabat. The surviving upper station building juts out into the road. Beyond the adjacent roofs the cutting approaching the station can still be discerned.
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The station building looking up Racecourse Road with with the unmistakable profile of Mdina’s cathedral as backdrop. The two phases of the station building are demonstrated by the colour difference between the pale and more orange stonework.
Recent removal of vegetation and light restoration has returned some dignity to this historic building. The blocked-in arches of the loggia frontage are obvious.
The upper station building from the west side. The original tall boundary wall and railings added after Government takeover survive, though parts have recently been removed.
The track side of the upper building reveals more curiosities. Between two symmetrical blocks is a corrugated tin roof spanning between them. Once open, this has subsequently been blocked-in during conversion for residential use.
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The west end of the building showing the different colour stone of the office and roadside loggia frontage. The latter element was built out in front of the original station boundary alignment.
The iron railings once protecting the edge of a terrace survive on the track side of the building, including the descending sections that still follow the long-buried steps down to platform level. (courtesy of Timmy Zammit)
A view in the opposite direction, again showing the railings descending from the now blocked-in central frontage. The edge of the terrace is more discernible here. The retaining walls on the right date to 1970s plans for a new market.
Detail of the top railing showing the original stone tread of the topmost step revealed (courtesy of Timmy Zammit)
Detail of the keystone of the central arch of the loggia frontage and two holes that formerly held an iron lamp bracket.
Although subdivided for residential use, a number of railway era features survive inside the upper station. Within the loggia a central entrance accessed the ticket offices. The coved door surround, keystone and iron grille are all original features. The roof of the loggia seen here likely recycles old rails for new structural purposes.
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The full door looking towards the later walls infilling the back of the building. Originally open this would have given onto a small terrace and the head to the steps down to the platform.
The track side of the building has a corrugated iron roof laid on gently curved steel beams spanning between the two ticket office blocks.
The door from the loggia retains its glazed fanlight behind the decorative grille on the opposite side the bisecting wall is from the residential conversion.
An internal view of the blocked logia arcade. Square-headed openings were incorporated in the two ends.
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The west end of the loggia. Before being blocked-up a view up Racecourse Road towards Rabat could have been enjoyed through the doorways.
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Looking up racecourse Road towards Saqqajja Hill. Buildings on the right incorporate surviving elements of the station complex.
The railings, entrance to the station ramp, and public conveniences can be seen here in the same location.
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The garage pull-in was formerly the gateway at the top of the station ramp. The distinctive angled coping stones match those abutting the upper station building. The truncated and heavily altered toilet block is recognisable by the decorative stone cornice just visible.
Historic railings added in 1892 survive along parts of Racecourse Road.
The surviving railings match this original drawing detailing their construction.
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One of a number of original tunnel vents that mark the alignment of Mdina tunnel at the surface. This one is on the road from the city to Ghajn Hammien wash house and Museum station beyond.
