Aitoliko–Katochi railway

The Aitoliko–Katochi railway (Greek: σιδηροδρομική γραμμή Αιτωλικού–Κατοχής) was a metre gauge railway line of the Railways of Northwestern Greece. The line branched off the Kryoneri–Agrinio railway at Aitoliko station.

Aitoliko–Katochi railway
Overview
Native nameσιδηροδρομική γραμμή Αιτωλικού–Κατοχής
Stations12
History
Opened1912
Closed1943
Technical
Line length10.01 km (6.22 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
Electrificationnone
Route map

km
0.00
Aitoliko
East Aitoliko Bridge
0.80
Aitoliko Entry (Eisodos Aitolikou)
1.00
Aitolikou Square (Plateia Aitolikou)
1.20
Aitoliko Town (Aitoliko Poli)
West Aitoliko Bridge
3.10
Agios Athanasios
4.10
Gouria Road (Odos Gourias)
7.10
Km 7.1
8.30
Neochori Entry (Eisodos Neochoriou)
8.61
Neochori
9.00
Mylos Neochoriou
9.50
Magoula Road (Odos Magoulas)
10.01
Katochi
A train approaches a rail station consisting of a small brick building, with a concrete platform between it and the rail road tracks
Aitoliko railway station

The line first opened in 1912 and united the city and the island of Aitoliko with the rest of the country on both sides of the lagoon via the two bridges which still serve the island and the city today. At the time, they were of mixed traffic (railroad and road). Katochi Station was located on the bank of the river Acheloos, across from the settlement of Katochi.

The line shut down except for freight services in 1943 by the Italian occupying forces who scraped it away, using the material to extend the Kryoneri–Agrinio line to Amfilochia. This construction began but was never completed due to the Italian surrender in early September. Very few traces remain today of the Aitoliko–Katochi line.

References

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  • Σύλλογος Φίλων του Σιδηροδρόμου (1997). Οι Ελληνικοί Σιδηρόδρομοι: Η διαδρομή τους από το 1869 έως σήμερα (in Greek). Athens: Militos. ISBN 978-9608460072.
  • Οι Σιδηρόδρομοι της Κεντρικής Ελλάδας (1869-1969) (in Greek). Kalamaria: Christos Kalemkeris Photo Museum. 2005. ISBN 978-9608794610.