Cyprus issued on 4th June 2010 two stamps and a MS that portray a narrow gauge railway, that originally ran from Nicosia to Famagusta and was eventually extended to Kalo Chorio and Morphou, 1905-1951.
The Cyprus Government Railway was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway network that operated in Cyprus from October 1905 to December 1951. With a total length of 76 miles (122 km), there were 39 stations, stops and halts, the most prominent of which served Famagusta, Prastio Mesaoria, Angastina, Trachoni, Nicosia,Kokkinotrimithia, Morphou, Kalo Chorio and Evrychou. The CGR was closed down due to financial reasons. An extension of the railway which was built to serve the Cyprus Mines Corporationoperated until 1974.
The Cyprus Government Railway was used in a number of ways and served both the colonial authorities and the local population. Principle operations were as follows:
- It served the port of Famagusta, as a freight transfer system.
- It transferred timber from the Troodos Mountains to towns and cities across Cyprus.
- It carried freight, ore and minerals on behalf of the Cyprus Mines Corporation.
- The local railway stations functioned as a place of exchange of goods and services, while some also operated as telephone centres, telegram offices and/or postal offices.
- CGR trains carried mail, which arrived in Famagusta via the Khedivial Mail Line (1912–1939).
There were 12 locomotives operating on this line: 1x 0-6-0T Class Hunslet Engine Company 2x 4-4-0 Class Nasmyth Wilson and Company 3x 2-6-0 Class Nasmyth Wilson and Company2x 2-6-2T Class Nasmyth Wilson and Company 4x 4-8-4T Class Kitson and Company and 9 rail-car units: 6x D Wickham & Co 3xDrewry Car Co
The existence of a railway in Cyprus brought many benefits to the population of Cyprus. However, during the first years of its operation, many viewed the Railway more like a spectacle, instead of a means of transportation, which is why they crowded under the bridges to admire it. Overall, the CGR carried 3,199,934 tons of commercial goods and freight and 7,348,643 passengers.
Images from the last operating Cypriot Railway here.
Date of Issue: 4 June 2010
Country: Cyprus
Denominations: 2 X 0,43 and 0,85 euro
Source: http://www.mcw.gov.cy
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