The first railway in Greece opened on 24th February, 1869, between Athens and Piraeus. It was built to standard (1435mm) gauge. The line was electrified in 1904.
Subsequent railway development in Greece was influenced by the complex and difficult topography of the country. A network of lines in standard and various narrow gauges grew up, in the hands of a multiplicity of companies. Those that survived wars and difficult economic conditions gradually came under the control of OSE, the Hellenic Railway Organization.
A notable exception to this rule is the pioneering Athens Piraeus Electric Railway, which, although nationalised in 1976 and later rebranded as Line 1 of the Athens Metro, retains its separate identity to this day.
© 2004-2011
Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
