Milestones

עברית |

Русский |

العربية

Historical milestones

Historical and major milestones in the history of Israel Railways, from before the establishment of the state of Israel till this day.


Prior to the establishment of the state of Israel 1948 until 1960 1961 until 1980 1981 until 2000 2001 to 2010

Prior to the establishment of the state of Israel

Jaffa - Jerusalem route

1890
The idea to lay railway tracks in Palestine was put forward by Sir Moses Montefiore as early as in 1839, after the first public railway was constructed in England. However, only 51 years later was the first track laid on the route from Jaffa to Jerusalem, 82 km long. The first train traveled the distance between Jaffa and Jerusalem in 3 hours and 50 minutes.

1892
The first train enters Jerusalem. This was a very important event in the life of the Jewish residents.

1904
The line from Haifa to Beit She’an was inaugurated, a year later – the line from Haifa to Damascus.

1915
The Turkish military railway line is inaugurated from Afula through Tulkarm, to Beer Sheva and the Sinai desert.

1919
The British open for traffic the railway on the route Egypt – Lod – Haifa. After establishment of the British Mandate the line from Rosh Haain to Petach Tikva was built. This line’s service also included a daily train on the line Haifa – Cairo.

1942
The British open for traffic the Haifa – Beirut – Tripoli line.

1948 until 1960

The Tel Aviv Savidor Central station

1948
With the establishment of the state the government takes charge of the management of the railway.

1950
A regular passenger service is launched between Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The duration of travel is about 4 hours.

1954
The Tel Aviv Savidor Central station and the coastal tracks are inaugurated, which allow direct travel between Haifa and Tel Aviv.

1956
The Naan – Beer Sheva route is opened for traffic.

1961 until 1980

Haifa Bat-Galim station

1965
The Beer Sheva – Dimona route is inaugurated.

1967
After the Six-Day War the track was reconnected to Quneitra East and to Port Taufik on the banks of the Suez canal.

1970
Inauguration of the Dimona-Oron track and a year later of the track to Tsefa (Rotem plains).

1975
Inauguration of the passenger station Haifa Bat-Galim.

1977
The Negev track reaches Nahal Zinn.

1979
Passenger train service was discontinued on December 1979 to Kiryat Gat, Be’er Sheva and Dimona, due to minority of passengers.

1981 until 2000

The new IC3 train sets enter service

1982
Inauguration of the Kiryat Gat – Ashkelon track which reduced the distance for transportation of minerals from the Negev to the port of Ashdod.

1988
The need to develop the railway becomes more apparent. It is decided to unite Israel Railways with the Ports authority to form a single entity to be called “The Ports and Railways Authority”.

1991
The passenger line Tel-Aviv – Rehovot is opened.

1992
The new IC3 train sets enter service.

1993
The Ayalon tracks are connected and a suburban line Tel-Aviv – Netanya starts operations.

1996
Inauguration of the “Tel Aviv hashalom” passenger station. The passenger line Haifa – Krayot starts service.

1997
37 passenger coaches arrive from Spain.

1998
21 new diesel locomotives arrive from Spain. The line to Jerusalem is temporarily closed.

1999
Inauguration of the Hof Hacarmel station in Haifa.

2000
June – Inauguration of the passenger line Rosh Haain – Tel Aviv through the stations Bnei Brak and Petach Tikva Segula.
September-October, the Tel Aviv University and Beer Sheva Central stations are opened.

2001 to 2010

The Ben Gurion Airport station

2003
The Ben Gurion Airport station is opened, the Tel-Aviv – Ben Gurion Airport railway line starts service. The railway line to Rishonim is opened.
The Israel Railways corporation Ltd. is established, a company fully owned by the government.

2004
A cargo line is opened from Beer Sheva to Ramat Hovav. The railway track between Pleshet junction and Ashdod is upgraded and doubled.

2005
The Jerusalem Malkha railway station is opened and the railway line from Tel aviv to Jerusalem resumes service (the track is upgraded). The Ashkelon railway station is opened, the track on the segment Ashdod-Ashkelon is upgraded and doubled. The track on the railway segment Beer Sheva-Dimona is upgraded and doubled and passenger trains start service on this line (which since 1980 had been used as a cargo track only).

2006
Laying of a third track in the Ayalon from the station Tel Aviv Savidor Central to the station Tel Aviv Hahagana.

2007
June.The Lehavim-Rahat station is opened.
September. The Paatei Modiin station is inaugurated and the Tel Aviv – Ben Gurion airport – Modiin line starts service.

2008
Inauguration of the Modiin Central railway station.
Inauguration of the Petakh Tikva – Kiryat Arie railway station.
Inauguration of the Lod – Ganei Aviv railway station.

Page Top