1890 The idea of building a railway in this country was suggested by Sir Moses Montefiore as early as 1839, after the construction of the first public railway in England. But it was to take 51 years before the first track was laid here. It ran from Jaffa to Jerusalem, and was 87 km. long. This distance was covered by the first train in the then astounding time of 3 hours and 50 minutes. 1892 The first train steamed into Jerusalem. It was an occasion of the greatest significance in the life of the Palestine Jewish community . 1904 Inauguration of the Haifa - Bet She'an section of the famous Hedjaz railway, followed a year later by the continuation to Dera'a, junction for Damascus and Amman. 1915 Inauguration of the Turkish military railway from Afula to Beer Sheba and the Sinai desert. 1919 The British completed the Kantara-Haifa railway line. After taking on the Palestine Mandate, they opened the Petach Tikva line. Rail services also included a daily passenger train between Haifa and Cairo. Traffic on the Jezreel (Hedjaz railway) Valley line from Haifa to Dera'a and Damascus increases. 1948 Establishment of the State of Israel, the new government took over management of the railways 1950 Inauguration of regular passenger service between Haifa, Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem, following the War of Independence. The journey took 4 hours. 1954 Opening of Tel-Aviv Central station, following construction of Coastal Line. 1965 Inauguration of the Beersheba-Dimona line for freight trains. 1967 Following the Six-Day War, the railway extended to Kantara and Port Tawfik on the Suez Canal. This service continued until the Yom Kippur War broke out 1975 A new railway station for passengers was opened at Haifa-Bat Galim. 1977 The Negev railway was extended to Nahal Zin 1988 Increasing awareness of the need for railway development; decision to unite Israel Railways with the Ports Authority leads to creation of "The Ports and Railways Authority". 1991 Line to Rehovot opened for passengers. New diesel-electric units ordered. 1992 IC3 - Diesel units start running 1993 Ayalon line IN Tel-Aviv connected up. Tel-Aviv - Netanya commuter line begins operating 1996 "Ha-Shalom" station for passengers opens in Tel-Aviv. Commuter line begins operating around Haifa and its Bay Area. 1997 The arrival of 37 new passenger coaches from Spain 1998 Arrival of 21 new diesel locomotives from Spain.Temporary closure of line to Jerusalem 1999 Inauguration of Hof HaCarmel Station in Haifa and the Yavneh station. 2000 June- Inauguration of Rosh Ha'ayin - Tel-Aviv passenger line through the Bnei Brak and Petach Tikva Sgula stations. September - October: Opening of University - Merkaz Hayeridim station in Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva Central station.