Aden Railway
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As early as 1906 a light railway from Aden to Dhala (Dthala) had already been under consideration for some time but nothing had materialised.
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Cowasjee Adenwalla Dinshaw won the concession to build and operate the 120km proposed rail link from Aden to Dthala after successfully negotiating a deal with the Sultan of Lahej, who would receive a 4% commission on the profits of the line plus one penny per square (?) of area taken by the line. The first 60km stage of the line was to extend from Aden to Nobet Dukeim. It seems however that the railway plan, for some reason, did not eventuate.
Train at Maalla
Some years later in 1915 the CRE (Commander, Royal Engineers) requested permission to lay down a light railway from Aden to Sheikh Othman to supply the British forces fighting against the Turks, with the intention of extending it to Lahej once it was back in British hands. Approval was given and a 1000mm gauge military railway was built by the Royal Engineers. By December work was completed on the new railway providing a quick and efficient way to move troops and equipment to the Sheikh Othman defences. In 1919 the Aden Government approved the extension to Lahej. The 46.3 km line was made available for public traffic in 1922.
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Railway Terminal Building in Maalla
Aden was at this time still under the control of Bombay as part of the British Empire and materials for the railway were sourced from the Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway (BBCIR) and the Eastern Bengal Railway (EBR). The Arabian system was worked by the North Western of India under one of its officers who was designated Engineer-in-Charge.
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The railway carried passengers, grass, charcoal, green vegetables, potatoes, skins and other goods, and also large quantities of water for the army outpost at Sheikh Othman, which included a mobile force of cavalry and a camel corps. To carry water, the railway was extended in 1920 to Hassaini Gardens, 13 kms north of Lahej.
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The Terminal Building in Maalla also housed the Maalla Sub Post Office which opened in 1922 and closed seven years later, simultaneously with the closure of the railway in 1929. The railway had until that time carried mail.
It has been suggested there were 7 locomotives in operation but this number seems rather exaggerated. Upkeep of the railway proved very expensive. £41,707 was outlaid since construction started in 1915 up to 31st March 1920. The operation was not a viable, commercial proposition, the line was closed in 1929, and dismantled in 1930.
The Railway at Maalla in the 1920's
A 2 ft. gauge "Wren" locomotive, no. 1249 and with the name SIR JAMES on brass nameplates was delivered to the Aden Port Trust on 26 February 1913. This was probably used for dockside work.
