The Maltese railway may have been closed for over 88 years, but the Malta Railway Foundation is still present to preserve it’s cultural and infrastructural heritage and it’s now seeking your help!

In a Facebook post, the organisation appealed for assistance to clean the railway carriage’s glass shelter at the Birkirkara Railway Gardens on Saturday 5th October. “Friends of The Malta Railway and volunteers are invited to join us at 09:00 hrs. Those who are interested to give a helping hand please send [us] a personal message”, the post read.

The concept for a Maltese railway was proposed in 1870 and was inaugurated 13 years later. The venture was rocky from the start, first with delays to land acquisition during the construction phase and then with bankruptcy seven years after its launch.

Luckily, the government stepped in and re-opened the line less than two years later. The track ran from Mdina to Valletta and slashed the commute time between the two major cities from three hours to 30 minutes - time to get it back if you ask me!

Unfortunately, more financial difficulties plagued the railway with the induction of tramlines and a bus system into the Maltese transport infrastructure. These continued piling financial pressure and sadly, it eventually resulted in the railway closing for good in 1931.

There are whispers and proposals to reinject life into the railway system, but no concrete ventures have been established yet. Might as well preserve our heritage in the meantime – Saturday 5th October at 9am, mark it down!

Be right back, dreaming about shorter and hassle-free commutes…