Page 19 - T-Ulpan: HaMesillah, Intermediate-High, 100716-V2325-1

19
High Intermediate Level – ?מסילת הרכבת?

The Train Station

In 1892, when the Turks were ruling the country, (they) built the first
train track in the Middle East: A track that connected between
Jerusalem and the coastal area.
The construction lasted two and a half years and when (they) opened
the station, the people of Jerusalem were all very excited. The
dignitaries of the city were at the ceremony for the inauguration of the
track: Jews and Arabs and among them Eliezer Ben Yehuda, who
gave the train its (Hebrew name) – “Rakevet”.
The problem was that the project was so expensive and the money
lasted for only one set of tracks, so each time, there could only be a
ride in one direction, from Jaffa to Jerusalem or from Jerusalem to
Jaffa. The ride was very slow and lasted between 4 and 6 hours.
(They) say that because of the train’s slow ride, on one of the trains
was a sign: “Please don’t get off to pick flowers during the ride.”
In 1960 people started travelling by bus and car, and very few chose to
travel by train. In 1998 Israel Railways decided to close down the
station.
In recent years, the Jerusalem municipality decided to open a cultural
center at the station and today many cultural events take place in the
area: A film festival, a jazz festival, the Hebrew Book Week, and
more.

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