Hidden Treasures
Flickring through Islamabad MB group on Flickr, I ended up looking at the serene beauty of Golra’s century old Bamyans Banyans (aka bargad ~ century old is purely my own assumption).
Have you been tO Golra Railway Station ever? If no ~ wake up, pack up and get going. Its a MUST visit. The picture above seems familiar? If you closely watched vital Signs singing their tunes in early 90’s … you can recognize it :) Remember Islamabad’s 5th gift to world?
The News published a fine article almost an year back on Golra Railways station and it’s heritage museum … citing:
… All said and done, it is a gem of a museum and well worth a visit, especially if you remember the good old days
when traveling by train was an exciting prospect — something to look forward to as you packed your bags; a hamper with food and books and magazines to read when it became too dark to look outside. A paratha and an omelet never tasted as good as when you had them cold with a nice hot cup of tea bought from the vendor on the platform. The strident voices of other vendors as they called out their wares — most of these to titillate pangs of hunger that are somehow intensified during travel — each trying to outdo the other so he could be heard and be the one to make the first sale, the thrill of travelling on a ‘choo-choo’; or ‘chook chook’, as we say in this part of the world; the clouds of hissing steam coming out of the wood and coal fired engine; the hustle bustle of passengers and porters and the “All aboard”, call of the guard as he waved his green flag, are all part of childhood memories a visit to Golra Station brings back — a nostalgic hour or two well spent!
I have always hated the status of Pakistani trains, but have always preferred Golra station to Pindi station…
Thanks for the post, was much awaited :)
where is that station? never heard of it.
i might be visiting islamabd shortly. i want to travel each and every inch of it.
@Talha: Despite the train conditions in Pakistan; Golra is more than a railways station. Heritage of ours :)
@IUnKnown: It’s the famous Golra Railway station in Islamabad. Ask any taxi-wala :) Go in day light to enjoy the heritage museum as well.
Does that golra station have regular trains to other cities like lahore as well?
Dont think so!
To the best of my knowledge … only a few scheduled trains stop at the station … I’m not sure which ones , contact Pak Rails :)