Kingston railway station, Jamaica

Kingston railway terminus was built in the Jamaica Georgian architectural style using brick.[2] It was constructed on a grand scale, symbolising its importance as the main terminus of the Jamaica railways.[2] It has prominent arcades on both levels of the east entrance end.[2] Victorian cast iron brackets support the roof overhang on the trackside.[2] It has sash windows on the ground and upper floors.[2]

Kingston
Kingston railway terminus, front elevation.
Coordinates	17.968773°N 76.797009°W
Owned by	Jamaica Railway Corporation
Line(s)	Kingston to Montego Bay main line Spanish Town to Ewarton branch line Bog Walk to Port Antonio branch line May Pen to Frankfield branch line
Platforms	Single platform terminus
Tracks	One
History
Opened	1845
Closed	1992-10[1]
Location
Kingston Location in Jamiaca

It was opened in 1845 and closed in 1992.[1] It provided rail services to Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Ewarton and Frankfield. In addition to the station and its single platform there were extensive sidings, engine sheds, engine repair works, a roundhouse, a turntable, a traverser and a connection to the nearby railway piers.[3]

One source claims it was "utterly destroyed" in the 1907 Kingston earthquake.[4] However, in 2003 it was reported as being in "very good condition" and needing only "minor repairs".[5]

It is on the list of designated National Heritage Sites in Jamaica.[6]

Looking out of Kingston railway terminus along the permanent way from near the buffers.

See also

• Railway stations in Jamaica

References

1. The rise and fall of railways in Jamaica, 1845-1975 - Pg18 Archived 2009-04-25 at the Wayback Machine Journal of Transport History - March 2003
2. "Kingston Railway Station". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
3. UK Directorate of Overseas Surveys 1:10,000 map of Kingston, Sheet 3 (19??).
4. Jamaica Earthquake 1907 Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine, Michael Rego after The Daily Telegraph, St. John, N. B., Saturday Morning, 19 January 1907.
5. Table 3.4 Location and Condition of Railway Stations Archived 2013-03-15 at the Wayback Machine, Annual Transport Statistics Report: Jamaica in Figures 2003-2004, Ministry of Transport and Works, July 2005.
6. http://www.jnht.com/site_kingston_railway_station.php

External links

• Aerial view.
• Photos:
  • Kingston railway station c1905.
  • Kingston railway station c2000.
  • Front and back of a used first class Kingston to Montego Bay passenger ticket of 1968.
  • Front and back of a used second class Kingston to Spanish Town passenger ticket of 1949.