Damascus’ Historic Excursion Train Returns to the Tracks After Years of Absence, Sparking Environmental Concerns

A trial run in Al-Hameh revives memories of summer journeys to Zabadani and Serghaya, as railway authorities assess the train’s readiness for a possible return to service.

Damascus’ historic excursion train has returned to the tracks for a trial run in the city's countryside, reviving memories of one of Syria’s most cherished summer traditions. For decades, the train carried families from the capital to the mountain resorts of Zabadani and Serghaya. However, thick smoke emitted by the locomotive has sparked debate over the environmental implications of restoring the service.

The General Establishment of the Hejaz Railway conducted the trial in the Al-Hameh area in early November 2026 to assess the train’s technical and operational condition and identify the upgrades required before considering its return to tourist service.

Mohammad Al-Ajmi, the establishment’s Director General, explained that the assessment covers the locomotive, passenger carriages, traction and braking systems, wheels, railway tracks, switches and crossings.

Videos circulating online showed thick smoke rising from the locomotive, prompting criticism on social media and calls for environmental safeguards before regular operations resume.

Others welcomed the return of a train deeply embedded in Damascus’ cultural memory.

No official measurements of emissions or noise levels have been published, and authorities have not announced a date for resuming regular services.

Historically, the excursion train departed from the Hejaz Railway Station in Damascus, passing through Al-Rabweh, Dummar, Al-Hameh and Ain Al-Fijeh before reaching Zabadani and Serghaya.

The route combined transportation with leisure travel through some of the region’s most scenic landscapes.

Regular services on the Damascus–Serghaya line were suspended in 2010 due to technical problems, followed by limited attempts to revive operations.

Although the train is not currently available for tourist bookings, its trial return has renewed interest in a historic railway route associated with the summer resorts of the Barada Valley.

Any return to regular service will depend on technical assessments, infrastructure rehabilitation and compliance with safety requirements.