Palaiofarsalos railway station

Παλαιοφάρσαλος Palaiofarsalos
Palaiofarsalos railway station in 2019 (Photo by Stolbovsky)
Location	Farsala 403 00, Stavros Larissa Greece
Coordinates	39°18′51″N 22°14′36″E / 39.3142°N 22.2432°E / 39.3142; 22.2432Coordinates: 39°18′51″N 22°14′36″E / 39.3142°N 22.2432°E / 39.3142; 22.2432
Owned by	OSE
Line(s)	InterCity Express   InterCity   Express   Regional Piraeus–Platy railway[1] and Palaiofarsalos–Kalambaka railway[2]
Platforms	4
Tracks	7
Train operators	TrainOSE
Construction
Structure type	at-grade
Platform levels	2
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	No
Disabled access
Other information
Website	http://www.ose.gr/en/
History
Opened	16 April 1937
Electrified	25 kV AC
Previous names	Demerli
Services
Preceding station   TrainOSE   Following station Terminus Regional Orfana toward Thessaloniki Terminus Express Orfana toward Kalambaka Larissa Terminus Express Sofades toward Kalambaka Larissa toward Thessaloniki Express Sofades toward Kalambaka Domokos toward Athens Express Sofades toward Kalambaka Leianokladi toward Athens InterCity Larissa toward Thessaloniki Athens Terminus InterCity Express Larissa toward Thessaloniki   Former service   Preceding station   Thessaly Railways   Following station   Thessaly Railways
Location
Stavros, Larissa Location within Greece

Palaiofarsalos railway station (Greek: Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός Παλαιοφαρσάλου, romanized: Sidirodromikós Stathmós Palaiofarsálou) is a railway station near Farsala in Larissa regional unit, Greece. It is located in the village Stavros, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west of Farsala. It is situated at the junction of the main Piraeus–Platy railway and the branch line^[3] to Trikala and Kalambaka. It is served by intercity trains between Athens and Thessaloniki, and by local trains to Kalambaka.^[4]

History[]

The station opened on 16 April 1937 as part of the Larissa 'extension line' by the Thessaly Railways.^[5]

After the First World War, the Greek state planned the ambitious construction of several new rail lines and links, including a standard gauge line from Kalambaka on to Kozani and then Veroia creating a conversion of the route from Volos to Kalambaka on standard gauge. In 1927, the relevant decisions were made, starting in 1928, work was carried out on the construction of the new line from Kalambaka. But a year later, it was clear that the project would exceed the estimated costs many times over. In 1932, the construction work was stopped and remains unfinished.^[6] In 1955 Thessaly Railways was absorbed into Hellenic State Railways (SEK).^[7] In 1970 OSE became the legal successor to the SEK, taking over responsibilities for most of Greece's rail infrastructure. In 1971, the Hellenic State Railways was reorganised into the OSE^[8] taking over responsibilities for most for Greece's rail infrastructure. It was during this time the station was rebuilt in the modernist style, which the canopies still stand.

Freight traffic declined sharply when the state-imposed monopoly of OSE for the transport of agricultural products and fertilisers ended in the early 1990s. Many small stations of the network with little passenger traffic were closed down, especially on the mainline section and between Karditsa and Kalampaka. In 2001 the section between Kalampaka and Palaiofarsalos was converted from Narrow gauge (1000 mm) to standard gauge (1435 mm) and physically connected at Palaiofarsalos with the mainline from Athens to Thessaloniki.^[9] Since to upgrade, however, travel times improved and the unification of rail gauge allowed direct services, even InterCity services, to link Sofades and Kalambaka with Athens and Thessaloniki.

In 2009, with the Greek debt crisis unfolding OSE's Management was forced to reduce services across the network. Timetables were cutback and routes closed, as the government-run entity attempted to reduce overheads. In 2017 OSE's passenger transport sector was privatised as TrainOSE, currently, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane^[10] infrastructure, including stations, remained under the control of OSE.

In September 2000, Cyclone Ianos hit Greece.^[11] Palaiofarsalos railway station temporarily remained out of operation, with Thessaloniki-Paleofarsalos routes terminating at Larissa.^[12]

Facilities[]

The station is housed in a 1960's era brick-built station building, renovated in the early 21st-century, but now slightly rundown. As of (2008) the station is unstaffed, with no staffed booking office, however, there are waiting rooms, and is equipped with toilets. Access to the platforms is via a subway under the lines. The platforms have shelters with seating, and seating is available under the original 1960s modernist canopies. There are both Dot-matrix display departure and arrival screens and timetable poster boards on the platforms, as well as a buffet/coffee shop. There is also parking in the forecourt. The station has been the victim of repeated vandalism.

Services[]

The station is a regional hub, with a number of services calling at the station. It is served by the trains of both the Athens–Thessaloniki line and Palaiofarsalos-Kalambaka line, with InterCity Express and InterCity trains between Athens and Thessaloniki, Express and Regional stopping services to Kalambaka and Larissa.^[4][13]

Gallery[]

• 

  View of the station in 2019.

• 

  View of the station in 2019.

• 

  View of the station in 2019.

• 

  View of the station booking hall in 2019.

External links[]

• https://www.gtp.gr/TDirectoryDetails.asp?id=77318&lng=2

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paleofársalos train station.