 |
 |
Transportation
The "Therion"
History
|
|
On February 4th, 1885, Ash Monday {Kathara Deftera ~ Καθαρά Δευτέρα}, the Kifisia {Κηφισιά} "Therion" ({Θηρίον} = beast) makes its first run.
It was named thus due to the creaks, puffs and grunts it made when moving; the black smoke which came out of it, especially when going uphill; but also due to the curses uttered by angry housewives when it messed up their laundry. The chroniclers of the time referred to it as "slow when going uphill, fast when going downhill".
It was owned by Attica Railways {Σιδηρόδρομοι Αττικής}, after which Attikis Square [Place Names] was named, as it is its point of departure. It was constructed by the Metallurgical Company of Lavrion {Εταιρεία Μεταλλουργείων Λαυρίου} as a barter for the debts to the Greek Government, left by its owner, Serpieris {Σερπιέρης}. Thus, the improvement works on the country suburbs of Amarousion {Αμαρούσιον} and Kifisia begin.
Four years later the line is extended to the Lavrion {Λαύριον} Square, at 3rd Septemvriou {3ης Σεπτεμβρίου} Street [Place Names]. On June 20th the second branch of the line is inaugurated, which begins from Neo Iraklio {Νέο Ηράκλειο}, passes from Halandri {Χαλάνδρι} and Mesogia {Μεσόγεια} and terminates in Lavrion.
The last run of the "Therion", took place on August 8th, 1938.
A large number of people accompanied its last night run with fireworks, candles and even funeral announcements and funeral chants. In a chronicle in "Ethnos" {Έθνος} newspaper, Timos Moraitinis {Τίμος Μωραϊτίνης} wrote: "After a chronic disease, Stamatis, the well-known invalid of Kifisia, expired. The deceased was born 53 years ago in Athens. No sign announced the birth of the... beast. Only a tortoise, which was found by accident in Attikis station, accompanied the new-born infant to its first trip up to Kifisia. Stamatis from his first steps demonstrated his penchant for Stoic philosophy. He dragged his steps heavily and indifferently, smoking and whistling all along. His love for stations was such that he even invented his own. Hence, he was called Stamatis {Σταμάτης: the one who stops}. And one day the following astonishing event occured: a maid that departed from the Lavrion station with a flower pot, in which there was a minuscule new-born plant, arrived in Kifisia with a sixteen-feet high tree...".
Sources: I.S.A.P 
~ Eleftherotipia {Ελευθεροτυπία} Newspaper. Featured Article: The History Of
The Railway, Saturday, July 3rd, 1999.
11-30-2003