“The Valley Railway” (Rakevet HaEmek) is the Hebrew nickname for the Haifa branch line of the famed Hijaz Railway, which was built in the latter days of the Ottoman Empire to connect Damascus to Medina and Mecca in the Hijaz region of the Arabian Peninsula. This railway served both religious and military purposes.

The branch line to Haifa was built from 1903-1906, to transport materials imported by sea and required for the construction of the Hijaz Railway’s main line. The branch line relieved the Turkish government of the need to rely on the private railway that already ran from Damascus to Beirut.  (read more)

published December 18th, 2011

Alongside the Vienna Transport Authority, it is the second element of local public transport within the city. The name S-Bahn was, incidentally, extremely unusual in Vienna for many years although it was occasionally used in the literature, even before 1962. From 1962 to 2005 the term Schnellbahn was used almost exclusively. It was only after the timetable switch for 2005/2006 that the term S-Bahn was officially included in timetable notices and loudspeaker announcements.

(read more)

published December 13th, 2011

Narrow gauge railway network was once among the highest in Europe, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina is certainly an important part of it. There were several track widthсs as follows 600 mm, 750 mm, 760 mm and 1000 mm. In Serbia was used track width of 760 mm.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina beginning of track construction were carried out by Austrian military authorities, realizing the impracticability of terrain decide to build a system of narrow gauge railway to be connected to the network of Austrian and Hungarian normal track. On the other hand the construction of railways in Serbia started with a normal track, but due to constant lack of funds, and on the other hand, seeing a need for new line is decided, also, the narrow gauge railway system. Sometimes the whole railway network of Eastern and Central Serbia was a narrow gauge track.  (read more)

published August 17th, 2011

The stamps in this issue focuses on the outside area of centuries-old railway stations, which are historical and architectural landmarks: Luz and Júlio Prestes Stations (São Paulo) and Central do Brasil (Rio de Janeiro). The pattern of each stamp is enriched with a vignette, the common theme of which is a coffee tree branch with the flower and fruit, a strong economic mainstay at the time and a basic element in the origin of the stations.

(read more)

published July 5th, 2011

This month’s Royal Mail’s special issue features the famous tank engine. We find out how he sprang from Reverend Awdry’s mind to physical reality

It all started as an attempt to keep a poorly child amused. As Christopher Awdry recounts: ‘In the autumn or 1942, I caught measles, and my father tried to enliven my bed-bound quarantine with a rhyme he remembered from his own childhood: “Early in the morning, down by the station. See the littlie engines all in a r0w’, Along comes the driver, pulls a little lever. Peep, peep, chuff’, chuff, off we go.” He drew me a picture to illustrate the verse, giving each engine a different facial expression, which prompted me to ask questions about the unhappy-looking engine: “what’s his name’” and “why is he sad?” Explanations were given – the sad – faced engine was called Edward. And so stories incorporating the many facets or the engines began to form, but because each time he told the stories the details would always be that little bit different, I began to criticise the changes. So, my father, perhaps in self-defence, decided to write down the three stories he had created, “That,” he may have thought, “might keep the boy quiet!’”  (read more)

published June 21st, 2011

The Stammersdorf local railway, today also known as the Weinviertel Regional Railway, is a single-track, non-electrified branch line operated by the Austrian Federal Railways in the Weinviertel of Lower Austria. Originally, it ran from Stammersdorf to Dobermannsdorf via Auersthal, but today only the section from Obersdorf to Bad Pirawarth is in operation.
The Stephaniebrücke – Stammersdorf steam tramway line was opened on 7 June 1884. Two years later, on 15 June 1886, Dampftramway Krauss & Comp.commenced freight operations over the entire route. On 2 December 1897, the Lower Austrian Provincial Committee for the first time recommended the Diet to construct a local railway from Stammersdorf to Auersthal. Only one year later, on 4 September 1898, the technical report for the project for a standard gauge local railway from Stammersdorf to Auersthal had been completed. On the basis of the authorisation deed dated 16 November 2, 1901, work was begun on the construction of the line, which was approved by the technical authorities on 15 April 1903 and opened on 26 April of the same year.

(read more)

published June 20th, 2011

The new  record stamps by Sri Lanka were issued on the 2nd February 2011.

The Philatelic Bureau of the Post and Telecommunication Ministry has issued the five stamps including the longest ever  to mark 25 years of service of the Viceroy luxury coal powered steam train.

The 123mm long and 30mm wide stamp was issued at the Rambukkana Railway station by Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga and Transport Minister Kumara (read more)

published February 4th, 2011

The new commemorative, 100 years of the Wechsel railway, is an attractive continuation of one of the most popular Austrian stamp series (“Railways”); the design of the motif, which shows a historical 199 series locomotive from the Imperial and Royal State Railways, was created by the established artist duo Peter Sinawehl (design) and Prof. Gerhart Schmirl (engraving).

The Wechsel railway, opened ceremonially on 12 October 1910, links the town of Aspang-Markt in Lower Austria and Friedberg in Styria; its name derives from the fact that its route includes the almost 2.5 km Wasserscheid tunnel through the Grosser Hartberg, taking the line underneath the mighty Wechsel mountains. Between the waters of (read more)

published September 6th, 2010

If someone ever said that stamps are boring please forward to them this article! Our favourite hobby, philately, has done it again and is headlining the news around the world. All of you who have an iPhone or android phone,should  get excited cause and welcome the future of philately… 

No we are not exagerating, Royal Mail is launching the world’s first ‘Intelligent Stamp’ through its latest issue of Special Stamps – Great British Railways. The stamp set will combine state-of-the-art technology with history and heritage, bringing stamps in to the 21st century for stamp collectors everywhere.

The stamps will be the first in the world to work with image recognition technology. When activated by a smart phone on the iPhone or Android platforms the stamps will launch exclusive online content created by Royal Mail.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson says: “This is the first time a national postal service has used this kind (read more)

published September 5th, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) — Pos Malaysia is issuing a collection of special issue stamps and first day cover, featuring the different types of locomotives by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), in conjunction with KTMB’s 125th anniversary.

Pos Malaysia Stamp and Philately Unit head Yasmin Ramli said the stamps and first day covers, as well as other products, including miniature sheet, stamp booklet and folders, would be issued on Monday.

(read more)

published June 21st, 2010

PREVIEW- (History of Isle of  Man Coins & IOM Railways and Tramways 

IOM Coins Tercentenary

The history of coins on the Island dates back 300 years to when the first official Manx coins were cast in 1709 and became legal tender by an Act of Tynwald on 24th June 1710.

They were cast in moulds, probably at Castle Rushen in Castletown, and the reverse side bore the family crest of James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby. On the obverse is the familiar Manx triskeles surrounded by the old Latin spelling of the motto QVOCVNQVE GESSERIS STABIT, which translates as ‘Withersoever (which ever way) you throw it, it will stand’.

IOM Railways and Trams (read more)

published June 12th, 2010