TEHRAN - The historic “Mashin Doodi” station, which marks the dawn of Iran’s rail industry and urban modernization, located in southern Tehran, has been officially added to Iran’s national list of cultural heritage.

The significant site, representing the early days of Iran’s urban rail and public transportation, is now protected as a heritage landmark under the registration number 34260, CHTN reported on

The Mashin Doodi station, one of five original stations in old Tehran, played a pivotal role in the evolution of urban transportation in the country. The railway station and its associated machinery is a testament to the transition from traditional caravan travel to modern transportation.

The Mashin Doodi railway, named after the smoke and steam emitted by its locomotives, began operating in 1882 during the Qajar era under Naser al-Din Shah’s rule. It connected Tehran to Rey, covering an 8-kilometer stretch. Initially, it was a key mode of public transport, continuing operations until the early 1960s during the Pahlavi era, when it was replaced by more modern vehicles.

A living attraction

Although the railroad ceased regular operations in 1962, sections of the railway were rediscovered during a construction project in Rey in 2018. Following restoration efforts, parts of the historic railway, including its Qajar-era locomotive, now function as a tourist attraction in southern Tehran.

Today, Mashin Doodi serves as both a relic of Iran’s industrial heritage and a unique cultural destination.

AM