The only surviving carriage from the Maltese railway system has been denied government restoration funds, but the Birkirkara local council will be appealing the decision.

Meanwhile, the Attard local council will also appeal the refusal of a separate project that would restore the highest embankment of the Maltese railway.

Known as il-vapur tal-art, the Malta railway ran between 1883 and 1931 but the service was halted because it could not compete with trams and buses.

The embankment in Triq il- Linja, Attard. Photo: Jason Borg

It is estimated that the restoration of the third-class carriage, which has been exposed for a long time to the natural elements, would cost about €42,000 while the embankment would cost €200,000.

The Birkirkara and the Attard local councils applied for funding under a €1 million scheme launched by the government this year, however the projects were not chosen.

Earlier this month, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici announced that a Valletta car park, new playing fields in Żejtun, repair works at the Mosta Civic Centre, and the resurfacing of a main road in Gudja were among 30 capital projects funded by the €1 million scheme.

More than 83 proposals were submitted by 53 local councils and the final selection was made by a board set up to evaluate the proposed projects’ feasibility and sustainability.

Another body was set up to allow councils whose projects were rejected to appeal the decision, which both councils are doing.

Birkirkara’s proposal would restore the vandalised carriage that was transported to an undisclosed place in January. Apart from restoring the wagon, the plan includes turning a childcare centre in Ġnien l-Istazzjon in Birkirkara into a train museum.

Meanwhile, in a separate project proposal filed by the Attard local council, the embankment on Triq il-Libja in Attard, that used to link San Antonio Platform with the Attard Train Station, would be transformed into a heritage attraction and recreational space.

30 – the number of capital projects funded by the €1 million scheme

The embankment used to feature a metal bridge over Birkirkara Road and two viaducts so farmers could access their fields. The project includes a footbridge with walkways along the embankment.

In a report drawn up for the council, architect Edward Said notes that the embankment in Attard was the highest of its kind with lower counterparts in Ħamrun and along the outskirts of Żebbuġ, which have been lost or severely deteriorated. While generally it is structurally sound, there are considerable areas of advanced masonry decay and it needs to be cleaned of vegetation and non-historic rubble.

The plan includes the reconstruction of the railway station in Ġnien l-Istazzjon in Attard. This would see a faithful external replica and an indoors open plan for educational, cultural and recreational activities.

The only wagon left of the Maltese train system has been moved to a safe place to be restored after it was vandalised. Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas Inset, the embankment in Triq il-Linja, Attard. Photo: Jason Borg