Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
During the First World War, the Ottomans sided with Germany (who had helped build the railway). Sherif Hus-
sein, the Hashemite ruler of the Hejaz, made an alliance with the British to drive out the Turks. Harnessing the
hostility of the local Bedouin, TE Lawrence helped to orchestrate the Arab Revolt, attacking trains and sabot-
aging the tracks. TheTurkish garrison in Medina was soon cut off from the remainder of the Ottoman forces
whose empire was crumbling. The railway became unviable and ceased to run after 1918.
Many of the stations and substations remain, and they're well worth visiting. There are at least 19 substations
between Medina and Madain Saleh with many alongside the Medina-Al-Ula road. North of Madain Saleh, there
are a further 13 substations.
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Madain Saleh
If you can only visit one place in Saudi Arabia, make it Madain Saleh. This crossroads of
ancient civilisations, pilgrims, explorers, trade caravans and armies finds its most remark-
able expression in the elaborate stone-carved tombs of the Nabataeans. Although the
tombs are less spectacular than the misnamed 'Treasury' at better-known Petra in Jordan,
the setting of sweeping sand and remarkable rock formations is unique and unsurpassed.
