MaltaPost releases stamps commemorating the Malta Railway (1883-1931)

Ninety-three years ago, the Malta Railway passed into history. The train, at times also referred to as Il-Vapur tal-Art, was the first mechanised overland public transport service to be introduced in Malta. Station buildings, tunnels and street names remind us that there was once a railway.

Last Thursday, to commemorate this important part of our heritage, MaltaPost proudly issued a sheet of four stamps portraying various visuals related to the Malta Railway. The €0.38 stamp shows the train on Għeriexem Bridge awaiting its return trip to Valletta. The €1 stamp depicts the train passing through Ħamrun Station on its return trip from Mtarfa to Valletta. The train crossing the wooden bridge at

Valletta Porta Reale Station is shown on the €2.50 stamp and the fourth stamp, with a value of €2.88, shows the train at Birkirkara on its journey to Mtarfa Museum Station. All monochrome photographs, taken between 1883 and 1931, were coloured digitally by artist Edgar Vella and are courtesy of The Malta Railway Foundation.

The stamps are issued in a sheet of 10, with each stamp measuring 31mm x 44mm, a comb perforation of 13.9 x 14.0 and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measure 185mm x 118mm and were produced by Printex Ltd in the off

set process. The issue consists of 200,000 of the €0.38 stamp, 20,000 of the €1 stamp, 20,000 of the €2.50 stamp and 15,000 of the €2.88 stamp.

These stamps are available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo.

Orders may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost plc, 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; by telephone on 2596 1740 or via e-mail