Walking the tracks

Some years back, whoever decides such things decided thtat the railway line into Jerusalem, running through a highly populated area, was too dangerous to cars and pedestrians. They overbuilt a new railway station way out at the approaches to Jerusalem (near the Malha mall) and closed the last part of the century-old route. (A few weeks ago they stopped all trains into Jerusalem. Though the reason given was needed repairs, I thinkspect the company wants to get its customers out of any habit they might have in preparation for using the line now being built from near the Central Bus Station, via Modi'in, to the airport, and thence to Tel Aviv.)

A decade or so after they stopped running trains to the Ottoman-built station on the edge of the German Colony, the new light rail trams started running. In the city center they run along a Jaffa Road now closed to all other traffic, which encourages pedestrians to walk on and over the tracks, but so far no one has been killed, even on Independence Day, when the trams gently push through crowds.

On the train tracks through Baka, the city built a beautifully landscaped promenade and bike path from Talpiyot to the historic station, now known as The First Station, where dacnces, fairs, music, and occasional ice skating attract crowds. The old tracks support the walkway. Steel sleepers stick out at the sides. First I knew sleepers could be steel. Along the way are descriptions of the railway's history. Cafes and sellers of fresh fruit invite you to refresh yourself.


Copyright 2015 Jane S. Fox