Amman, Oct. 15 (Petra) -- Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamin on Wednesday inaugurated a steam locomotive restored and reactivated by the Jordan-Hejaz Railway Corporation after nearly four decades of inactivity.

During his visit to the Corporation, Qatamin reviewed progress on the Hejaz Railway Museum project, which is approximately 80 percent complete and expected to open in the first half of next year. The museum will feature historical artifacts that document Jordan’s national narrative and highlight the railway’s significance in the Kingdom’s history.

Director General of the Hejaz Railway Corporation Zahi Khalil briefed the minister on the Corporation’s current operations and future plans, including regular tourist trips between Amman, Mafraq, and Giza, as well as new routes within Wadi Rum and from the Jardaneh area north of Ma’an to the founding king’s palace. He also detailed efforts to boost domestic tourism and enhance the railway’s status as a national heritage landmark.

Qatamin underlined the historical and Hashemite significance of the railway line, stressing the importance of preserving its historic buildings and facilities and leveraging them to promote national and cultural heritage.

He also called for the Corporation’s continued development through resource investment, digital transformation, and enhanced technological infrastructure to improve administrative and technical performance.

The visit came as part of Qatamin’s ongoing field tours to review the progress of transport institutions and their development projects and to identify challenges and needs aimed at advancing the Kingdom’s transport sector.

//Petra// AJ