Piraeus Railway Works
Encyclopedia
Early development of railway transport in Greece
involved a number of different companies, which had created their own workshops for maintenance and constructions. The most important were Railway Works in Piraeus, originally operated by Athens-Piraeus Railways (SAP, which later transformed into Hellenic Electric Railways, EIS), and Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways
(SPAP, forerunner of OSE), which, in addition to maintenance, repair and rebuilding, have entirely constructed a significant number of railroad cars, mostly between 1880 and 1960. Other noteworthy constructions included a small number of electric tram
s (clearly copies of a Dick Kerr
model) built by EIS in 1939, and Greece’s first Diesel locomotive, designed and built by SPAP in 1961.
The "crown jewel" of the Piraeus Works was the royal wagon, built in 1888 as a present to King George I of Greece
. The luxurious vehicle was so admired, that an entire engineering project was organized in order to transport and present it in the 1888 "Olympia Fair" held in Zappeion
. It survives to date, exhibited in the Railway Museum of Athens
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
involved a number of different companies, which had created their own workshops for maintenance and constructions. The most important were Railway Works in Piraeus, originally operated by Athens-Piraeus Railways (SAP, which later transformed into Hellenic Electric Railways, EIS), and Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways
Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways
Piraeus, Athens and Peloponnese Railways or SPAP was a Greek railway company founded in 1882, which owned and operated the line connecting Piraeus and Athens to Peloponnese. The company was nationalized in 1954 and absorbed by the Hellenic State Railways in 1962.-History:The first line section...
(SPAP, forerunner of OSE), which, in addition to maintenance, repair and rebuilding, have entirely constructed a significant number of railroad cars, mostly between 1880 and 1960. Other noteworthy constructions included a small number of electric tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s (clearly copies of a Dick Kerr
Dick Kerr Type Tram
The Dick, Kerr Type tram was the classic British tram design. It was the most common tram seen on Britain's tramways until the 1950s. The Trams were built by Dick, Kerr & Co. of Preston and Kilmarnock. They were the flagship design of the company. Many different types of the tram were designed...
model) built by EIS in 1939, and Greece’s first Diesel locomotive, designed and built by SPAP in 1961.
The "crown jewel" of the Piraeus Works was the royal wagon, built in 1888 as a present to King George I of Greece
George I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
. The luxurious vehicle was so admired, that an entire engineering project was organized in order to transport and present it in the 1888 "Olympia Fair" held in Zappeion
Zappeion
The Zappeion is a building in the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is generally used for meetings and ceremonies, both official and private.-Constructing the Zappeion:...
. It survives to date, exhibited in the Railway Museum of Athens
Railway Museum of Athens
The Railway Museum of Athens, Greece, was founded by the Hellenic Railways Organisation in 1978. It is currently located at 4 Siokou Street, next to the mainline from Athens to Inoi. The museum has a collection of items related to the history of rail transport in Greece, many of them exhibited in...
.