MUNICIPAL RAILWAY PARK OF KALAMATA

The Municipal Railway Park of Kalamata is a unique style of open-air museum. It was created in 1986 by the actions of the town Mayor at that time, Mr. Stavros Benos. The opening of the park for the public was in September 1986, but the completion of the works was not until 1990. This was attributed to the major earthquake that struck the town of Kalamata in September of '86*. The location for the construction of the park was mostly the area that was covered by the old train station "Kalamata Limin" (Kalamata Harbor) and the open coal storage area of the Peloponnese Railways, which was used during the steam age.
The total surface of the park is 5.4ha and is situated very near the town center. 2.46ha belonged to the Hellenic State Railways (OSE), which included the two-story stone building of the aforementioned station and a watertower. Kalamata Municipality vested 2.8ha and the Agricultural Bank of Hellas 0.14ha, both in adjacent land. The entire rolling stock has been leased by the Hellenic State Railways (OSE) to the Municipality of Kalamata, except the Railcar from the Athens Metropolitan Railway (ISAP).

The park is situated only five minutes on foot from the central square of Kalamata, by just following the main street of the town, Aristomenous Street. The limits of the Park are: In the north it is Makedonias Street, in the south-Kritis Street, in the west-Psaron Street and finally in the east-Aristomenous Street. The Park is not just an open air railway museum but has also other facilities. These facilities include basketball courts, volleyball courts and leisure activities for the children. Furthermore the Park is the home of many association (like ours) which are housed either in railway wagons or in buildings. We must note here that the main building of the Park is the old railway station "Kalamata Limin" (Kalamata Harbor), which houses in the ground floor a cafe and the top floor is the "home" of our Association. The top floor belongs to the Railway Men Club and has been given to us for use.