Farsala Railway Station

The Farsala Railway Station is part of the Thessalian narrow-gauge network, which operated from 1883 to 1998. With a track gauge of 1,000 millimeters (hence the term “metric”), it historically served as the main means of mass transportation in Thessaly. Although a large part of the network has been deactivated or replaced by standard gauge (1,435 millimeters), it still survives as a historical infrastructure with prospects for tourism development.

The original station building was designed by the engineer Evaristo de Chirico, who planned both the railway line and the network’s buildings. In 1954, after a devastating earthquake, a new building was constructed, which still stands today. From the original facilities, the water tower and the goods warehouse have survived.

The Friends of Farsala Railway Station

After the line was closed, the buildings were left to the wear of time. In 2016, a group of people with a deep love for the history of their town—and for the railway—tried to preserve whatever they could. Through hard work and personal effort, they created a modest, “informal” Railway Museum.

Visitors can explore the site and travel back in time by viewing photographs of the historic metric railway network displayed in the waiting room. In the Stationmaster’s office, various railway-related objects are exhibited, many of them donations from retired railway employees.

On the upper floor, the highlight is the “Stationmaster’s house,” featuring household items from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as a room that “recreates” a carriage of the legendary BREDA, the historic Thessalian "automotrice" ("railcar")

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BREDA, the “clock” of the Thessalian plain

The Thessalian BREDA railcar became the iconic train of the Thessaly Railways after World War II. A total of 15 railcars of this type were built, numbered A1 to A15, in Milan, Italy, as part of the war reparations paid by Italy to Greece. This railcar was similar to those operating in Italy at the time and was distinguished by its Italian finesse, both inside and out. It allowed the people of Thessaly to travel quickly and with unprecedented comfort along the Volos–Larissa and Volos–Kalambaka lines.

The automotrice—or “moutritsi,” as it was called by the Karagounides—shortened distances across the Thessalian plain with its regular routes. In many cases, since watches were not common, its passing even served as a daily time reference for villagers. In the fields, the time for a snack break or the end of the workday was often determined by the sound of the train passing by.

The “Thessalian” BREDA had two diesel engines with a total output of 390 HP and could reach a top speed of 75 km/h on the metric line. It offered 72 passenger seats, while a small bar located in the middle of the railcar served travelers during their journey.
 

*On the Friends of Farsala Railway Station Facebook page, you can contact them to arrange a visit or guided tour.

**We warmly thank Mr. Giannis Armanidis for his valuable assistance.