Bralos...as nature

     High speed is fine, ideal for our times and beneficial for trains and passengers. But in Greece, a single track, non electrified, slow speed section of the main line from Athens to Thessaloniki is still alive, offering the passengers a close look of some virgin nature and nice landscapes. At mileage point 194,305 (meaning 194,395 kilometres from Piraeus of Athens) Bralos station is located. The station was built in 1904-5 when the tracks reached at this point and many villages nearby are served by it, such as Bralos and Polidroso (Souvala). The sinlge track that begins from Tithorea station and emds at Domokos is very curvy here and leads to one of the biggest rail tunnels in Greece, Bralos tunnel, located about 2,0 kilometres from the station and to a historic metal bridge, Papadia bridge. The tracks also present a high grade, up to 17 %oo , with direction to Lianokladi. Unfortunately all InterCity trains don't stop here unless there is a meeting at the sinlge line taking place. Only three pairs of local trains stop here daily, with a fourth one added each Sunday. It consists a beautifull, picturesque scenery not only for train enthousiasts and photographers but for any passenger too.

      In about three years from now the entire sinlge track part of the route will be replaced by a new high speed, electeified line and this part will be abandoned, unfortunately. Rail enthousiasts are making every possible effort to maintain the route, at least up until Bralos station. The rest of the route will not be operating because of the high amount of money required for maintenance. 

The facade of the station building,  a typical sample of stone built building of the early 20th century, including ticket wicket, masters' office and waiting room. The upper floor, once used as a dormitory was reconstructed in the past and has now been refurbished by rail enthusiasts who rent it. 

A general view of the station. You can see the classic in time roof, the partially stone built part of the building and from left to right, the main, single track, the first siding and the second siding. 

The curvy line, the steep grade and the trees keep company to some darkening clouds, one kilometer past the station...

Finally, here are all the videos of the excursions i have done in the area, so far, a natures' glory, trully...

Kalabaka station and Meteora rocks, a world wide known station

Kalabaka is a city with a population of 21.280 people, at 2011, located at central Greece, at the northwestern part of Thessaly region. The reason it attracts 2.000.000 tourists from all over the world annually is, of course, the unique geological phainomenon, the rocks called "Meteora". The word stands for the rocks that seem to just hang from the sky (greek writing "Μετέωρα, μετέωρος). On top of some rocks lie Orthodox monasteries, some in operation and others not, all accessible via road of foot trail. The railroad station of the city was built in the 1890's, once belonging to the former "Thessalian railways" (1,000 m ) , now is the terminal station  of the branch line that splits from the Athens-Thessaloniki main line at Palaiofarsalos station. The sinlge track branch line Palaiofarsalos-Kalabaka (1,435 m) is 80 kilometres long. The station was rebuilt in 2001 when the line was reconstructed as a standard gaige one and is equipped with waiting room, toilets, masters' office, ticket office and other facilities. It has three platforms, one main track and two sidings (the second one is normally used for the locomotives to change direction). Unfortunately, many of the old installations of the station, including water and coal towers, used in the past for steam locomotives, a metric gauge turntable and two engine sheds, are left there derelict, due to the bad economic situation of the country overall. Also, despite being a popular touristic city, Kalabaka is now well and properly served ny train, due to the economics, again and bad policy of the Railways public organization. Despite all these, it is a beautifull little terminal station with friendly staff and the breath taking for some, soul reviving for others Meteora rocks at the background. 

The view of Meteora rocks and Kalabaka city from the drivers' cab (train 884 executed by an AEG DMU)

The main platform, the main line and a some sunshine

A general view of the station taken from platform number two

End of the tracks. On the right we see the abandoned engine shed and staff domritories, on the left stands another derelict engine shed

Train 885 executed by AEG DMU 520 155-255 on the main line

Adtranz 220013 reverses under heavy snow at Kalabaka (February 2012) 

Train 885 (ADtranz 220026 on the lead), Kalabaka station, Meteora rocks, that is the scenery

Here are some of my Youtube channel videos, all taken in Kalabaka station or Kalabaka plus other stations of the Palaiofarsalos-Kalabaka line. I hope you will feel like being there. For those of you who have allready visited Kalabaka, Trikala etc. i hope they bring back good memories to you.