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Cadem Works, Damascus 2010 |
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Mark Enderby was in Damascus at the beginning of October 2010 and reports on
what he saw and heard: Cadem was still much as described, but the traverser line-up apart, the works exuded character and charm. A small number of staff were present, ostensibly working on the 2 working locos present (160 2-8-0 Borsig 9011 1914 and 91 2-8-0 Hartmann) as well as the odd wagon but having plenty of time to show me round the machine shop and have tea! The traverser line up doubles as a spare parts bank and most locos had various parts missing. Staff confirmed that 2 locos were outbased at De’era and there had been activity that week on the Bosra branch. There is a second running shed/works building in which work was being done on further rolling stock and one of the Romanian diesels. The shed yard is full of atmospheric clutter including various steam loco parts. The small museum located at the back of the works was fascinating and the oldest loco (803 0-6-2T SLM 843/1894) is displayed adjacent to it (essentially the only loco actually preserved). The museum is located across the yard at the north end of Cadem station and, best of all, free! The tank loco outside the old Hedjaz station is still there but no progress on the development there – other than having ripped up the tracks between there and Cadem. Traverser line up ...
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Rob Dickinson
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