Balaclava railway station
Encyclopedia
Balaclava railway station opened in 1892 and closed in 1992. It served the small town of Balaclava
on the Kingston to Montego Bay line
and was 70.5 miles (113.5 km) from the Kingston terminus
.
It was built of timber in the Jamaican Georgian
architectural style. The upper of the two stories has a gable end roof; an adjoining hip roof
has a downward fishtail fretwork
on its eaves. The building has sash windows and recessed panel timber doors.
In 2003 it was reported as being in "deplorable condition" and "in need of major repairs".
It is on the list of designated National Heritage Sites in Jamaica.
occurred at this station on July 30, 1938 killing 32 and injuring 70.
Balaclava, Jamaica
Balaclava is a small town in St Elizabeth, Jamaica.Balacalva has a lively pretty Market, and the St Luke Anglican Church , where many victims of the Kendall Train Crash are buried....
on the Kingston to Montego Bay line
Railways of Jamaica: Kingston to Montego Bay
The Kingston to Montego Bay line was Jamaica's main railway. It linked the capital Kingston with the second city Montego Bay, passing enroute most of the major towns.-Construction, operation and closure:...
and was 70.5 miles (113.5 km) from the Kingston terminus
Kingston railway station, Jamaica
Kingston railway terminus was built in the Jamaica Georgian architectural style using brick. It was constructed on a grand scale, symbolising its importance as the main terminus of the Jamaica railways. It has prominent arcades on both levels of the east entrance end. Victorian cast iron brackets...
.
It was built of timber in the Jamaican Georgian
Jamaican Georgian architecture
Jamaican Georgian architecture is an architectural style that was popular in Jamaica between c1750 and c1850. It married the elegance of Georgian styling with functional features designed to weather Jamaica's tropical climate...
architectural style. The upper of the two stories has a gable end roof; an adjoining hip roof
Hip roof
A hip roof, or hipped roof, is a type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls, usually with a fairly gentle slope. Thus it is a house with no gables or other vertical sides to the roof. A square hip roof is shaped like a pyramid. Hip roofs on the houses could have two triangular side...
has a downward fishtail fretwork
Fretwork
Fretwork is an interlaced decorative design that is either carved in low relief on a solid background, or cut out with a fretsaw, coping saw, jigsaw or scroll saw. Most fretwork patterns are geometric in design. The materials most commonly used are wood and metal. Fretwork is used to adorn...
on its eaves. The building has sash windows and recessed panel timber doors.
In 2003 it was reported as being in "deplorable condition" and "in need of major repairs".
It is on the list of designated National Heritage Sites in Jamaica.
Opening
From the Daily Gleaner of March 24, 1892:Fares
In 1910 the third class fare from Balaclava to Kingston was 5/6 (five shillings and sixpence); first class was about double.Accident
A serious derailmentDerailment
A derailment is an accident on a railway or tramway in which a rail vehicle, or part or all of a train, leaves the tracks on which it is travelling, with consequent damage and in many cases injury and/or death....
occurred at this station on July 30, 1938 killing 32 and injuring 70.
