Cadem Works, Damascus 2010

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 ...

263	2-8-2	Hartmann	4032	1918
259	2-8-2	Hartmann	4028	1918
93	2-8-0	Hartmann	3042	1918
		Henschel	7793	1906 (boiler only)
107	2-8-0	Hartmann	3466	1918
961	0-4-4-0T	Hartmann	3000	1918
61	2-6-0T	Jung		1906
33	0-6-0T	Hohenzollern	1904 (???)	1908
37	0-6-0T	Hohenzollern	2402	1908
34	0-6-0T	Hohenzollern	2399	1908
35	0-6-0T	Hohenzollern	2400	1908
752	2-6-0T	SLM	850	1894
753	2-6-0T	SLM	851	1894
(130-)751	2-6-0T	SLM	853	1894
804	2-6-0T	SLM	844	1894
(130-)754	2-6-0T	SLM	854	1894
161	2-8-0	Borsig	9010	1914
260	2-8-0	Hartmann	4025	1918