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2-8-2 Steam Locomotive Nr. 71, built by Haine-St Pierre (Belgium) in 1955. Amman. 2 April 2013. P.L. Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

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Jordan 29.9.2008: Returning from Syria to Jordan, for a last steam trip, the tour group found themselves once again at Amman station, with the prospect of another twisting, turning and climbing ride through Amman’s southern suburbs, to Qasir. A third Jordanian Railways’ steam locomotive was turned out for the train, a Belgian-built, oil-fired 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956). Here No. 71 takes water before making her assault on the grades; note the classic Hedjaz Railway water tank and supporting stone building – still fully functional. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: Another shot of 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) crossing the dual-carriageway at Qasir, in what was certainly the most spectacular runpast of the entire trip to Jordan and Syria! Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: Steam journey’s end at Qasir station, with 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) resting from her uphill labours. The ladies and gentlemen of the tour group chat happily as they make their way to a road coach and visits to a few more historical sites. Tomorrow we will return to our homes in such diverse places as England, Scotland, Wales, France, Spain and Cyprus – all with very pleasant memories of a great holiday among the incredibly friendly people of Jordan and Syria. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: The driver of No. 71 and train guard, pose for the tour group at Qasir station. The picture is intended as a tribute to the magnificent railwaymen of Jordan and Syria who broke their backs - and a few rules! – to ensure that the tour group’s steam journey went as smoothly and completely as possible. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: The plates and raised numerals on the cabside of 2-8-2 no. 71. It is conjectured that because of its fine condition, the builders’ plate at least, is a replica of the original. Note that it bears the locomotive’s building year as 1955, whereas all published histories of Hedjaz railway locomotives, quote 1956. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) brings the empty coaching stock into Amman station. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: A sharp curve and steep climb through a rock cutting start just off the end of Amman station, with 2-8-2 No.71 (HSP 2144/1956) struggling to “keep her feet”, as she drags her train past a long out of use and very British-looking semaphore signal. There are stories told of how a certain Amman driver would always stop his train before that signal, walk to it and manually drop the arm, giving a clear road ahead. He would then drive his train past the signal, stop, walk back and reset the signal to danger! Believe it – or not… Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: With wheel flanges squealing a protest on the dusty, rubbish-strewn track, 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) shrieks a warning to one of the many small boys that always attended – good-naturedly - the tour group’s photo run-pasts. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) “wakes up the neighbours” with another noisy and spectacular run-past, between the blocks of flats that crowd the Hedjaz Railway’s route through south Amman. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: Five Jordanian young ladies pause to take photos on their mobile telephones, as 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) crosses Amman Viaduct. A small breeze pushes the loco’s smoke towards the cameras, obscuring the train’s side detail in shadow, but at the same time, creating a pleasing silhouette effect. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Jordan 29.9.2008: Approaching the summit station at Qasir, the railway crosses one of Amman’s main dual-carriageway roads on a curving, un-gated level crossing. It took the determined efforts of several policeman and railway staff to convince the impatient motorists that they must stop! The train’s guard waves the all-clear as 2-8-2 No. 71 (HSP 2144/1956) blasts across the road. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com