Chalcis railway station


Chalcis railway station is a railway station in the city of Chalcis, in Euboea, Greece. Opened on 8 March 1904, it is now the northern terminus station of the Athens - Chalcis service of Proastiakos. The station sits close to the waterfront, with a small promenade running parallel to the platforms. It is owned by OSE, but service are provided by TrainOSE, through Proastiakos to Oinoi and Athens.

History

Construction of the station was authorized in 1889 by the law AΨΜΕ / 7-4-1889 concerning the construction and operation of the Piraeus-Larissa and Border railway line, but it was started only in 1902 after the foundation of Hellenic State Railways. The inauguration of the station took place on 6 March 1904, along with the construction of the first of the line, when an official dinner for 400 people was given on its premises, with the presence of three warships, one English, one French and one Greek. The station opened to the traffic two days later. The station building was built to a similar standard as other stations on the line, such as Agios Stefanos, Dekeleia and the old Piraeus railway station. The station had a water tower of 50 cubic meters and rotary plate.
In 1915 the station was served by two trains a day from Athens, which over the years increased to five and then seven. After doubling the Oinoi–Chalcis Line this increased to nine. In 1980, the routes, was rolled out and the number of services rose to 19 per-day. In 1999 a new water fountain was instilled on platform 1, engraved with its date.
In 2000 the station building was declared a listed monument by the Ministry of Culture. In 2008, the reconstruction of the station began, in the context of the modernization of the Athens suburban railway network and its electric mobility. OSE's original intention was to transfer the use of the adjacent warehouse building as a new station and to lease the old station out. Following a protest from local authorities and society, the change of use of the station building was abolished but the transfer of the docks several meters from the station building progressed. Today the station is served by the Athens suburban railway to Athens.

Facilities

The station has waiting rooms and staffed ticket office within the original brick-built station building. The station used to have a buffet, as evidenced by a former illuminated signage on platform 1, but now only vending machines are inplace. There is a taxi rank and Parking in the forecourt.

Service

The station is served by Proastiakos, with frequent services to Athens and Oinoi.

Station layout