Trainspotting at Afidnes station
Afidnes (previously named "Kiourka") is a village, located at the northeastern part of Attica region, just 25 minutes off Athens by train. The village has a population of 2.500 people and is located one to one and a half kilometres north of the station. The station itself is a relaxing place, full of pinetrees and a very nice cafe and tavern lie just nearby. The owners have sucessfully rebuilt the old watering tower the station once used and it now attracts lots of people, especially on Sundays. The cafe is named "Watering tower".
The station is served by suburban trains only, serving the Athens - Halkida route, located at the 40,086 km milepost from Piraeus. Regional and InterCity services pass by. The building is a classic sample of Greek 1900's architecture (built in 1904) with beautiful stone built door and window frames and a classic roof. It once included station masters' room, waiting room and luggage room as well as a station masters' small residence. Since the line from Athens to Inoi had a signaling system installed in the 80's, the station has been unmanned since then. Although, due to signaling failures recently the station is being supervised by a station master again. The looks and the layout of the platforms have also been changed dramatically since 2004. It was then when all the suburban stations serving the Athens to Halkida route services had new, high profile platforms built as well as pedestrian bridges and elevators. This layout definitely upgraded the passenger comforts of the station but, to my opinion, the high profile cement platforms ruin the traditional look of the whole area. Automatic ticket machines provide tickets 24 hours a day.
Seen from a trainspotters' eye, Afidnes station is a pleasant, relaxing place to enjoy a nice rail excursion, just 25 minutes off Athens, enjoy a nice cup of cofee or a sandwich under the traditional watering tower, watching the trains passing by, all this accompanied by the fresh, clean air provided by many trees surrounding the station.
A general view of the station area. Clearly seen here are the additons of the 2006 refurbishment, the pedestrians' bridge including three elevators and the high profile cement platforms.
A close view of the station building and platform serving line n.1. Clearly visible are the stone built door and window frames on the upper floor. The plate indicates the name of the station in Greek (ΑΦΙΔΝΑΙ).
The station building, overall.
Two MAN 2000 DMU's, serving the suburban route from Athens to Halkida and vice versa meet each other at Afidnes station.
All the photos were, once again, kindly borowed from my brother. Always thank you!
Videos from my excursions at Afidnes station follow, as always...
