"SLC31-W4 // Steem Expedition, Hidden Gems and Local Secrets: Curiosities and Rarities"

sohanurrahman (78)modin Story On Steem • last month (edited)


^{Cover photo. Old structure of the railway station}

1. Name of the place, exact address and access methods

The place I visited is Santahar Junction Railway Station. Santahar Railway Station is located in Santahar town under Adamdighi Upazila of Bogura District in the Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. It is a junction station, and its historical importance makes it even more significant.

Since it is an important railway junction, people can easily reach this station from different parts of the country. Direct trains from Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, and many other cities stop here regularly. Besides railway transportation, the town can also be reached easily by road transport such as buses and other local vehicles.

I personally traveled there by train because the railway communication system is very good. Both local and mail trains operate through this route. Inside Santahar town, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are easily available, making transportation to the station very convenient for passengers.


^{Platform No. 3}


^{This is an important railway junction where many high-quality and intercity trains make a stop}


^{There are so many railway lines in this station}

2. General description of the place

Santahar Railway Station is not just an ordinary railway station; it is one of the oldest and most important railway junctions in Bangladesh. It was established during the British colonial period around 1878.

Multiple railway lines meet at this station, which makes it a major transportation hub in the northern part of the country. Every day, hundreds of trains and thousands of passengers use this station for travel.

The atmosphere of the station is always busy and lively. The arrival and departure of trains, the crowd of passengers, and the activities of small shops together create a vibrant environment. There are several small food stalls where visitors can buy tea, biscuits, water, and light snacks.

There is no entrance fee to enter the station area, but passengers must have a valid ticket for traveling. The station is a combination of old architecture and modern railway facilities. The platforms, railway tracks, train sounds, and the movement of passengers create a unique experience for visitors.

There are also some old British-style refreshment rooms inside the station area. According to the Bengali signboards written there, these places were once used as railway hotels or refreshment rooms for passengers during many years ago when it was opened. The old architectural style of the buildings still reflects the historical atmosphere of that era.


^{Old british structured refreshment rooms. It was a hotel, the bengali writing instructed so. But it's not operational}


^{This British-era structure on Platform No. 3 was originally a two-story building. However, judging by the condition of the upper floor, it seemed that the upper section is no longer in use and has probably been closed for a long time}


^{On the ground floor of this building, there are VIP and first-class waiting rooms for passengers. The first-class waiting room remains open regularly for travelers}

3. How did you come across this curiosity or oddity? Or is it something you've always seen?

I first learned about Santahar Railway Station while traveling, and I had also read about it in books because it is one of the largest railway junctions in Bangladesh. Later, I visited the station while travelling.

Since I travel regularly by train, I had already heard many stories about this station. However, visiting it in person felt completely different. The busy environment, the movement of trains, and the large number of passengers impressed me a lot.

The station is actually very large, and it has six platforms, which makes it even more interesting and important from a railway perspective.


^{A long-distance, scheduled passenger train was waiting at the station}


^{Structure of the platform}


^{Old railway over bridge}

4. What is the story or explanation for this rarity?

The uniqueness of Santahar Railway Station comes from its historical importance. During the British period, it was developed as a major railway connection point linking different regions. The station officially started operation in 1878, which means it has a history of around 147 years.

Over time, it became one of the most important railway junctions in northern Bangladesh, where trains from different directions meet and continue their journeys. Because of this, the station still plays a major role in the country's railway communication system.

Another interesting feature is that several old buildings from the British era still exist inside the station area. These structures reflect colonial railway architecture, and I shared some photos of those buildings in my post.

The overbridge of the station is quite old and reflects the historical character of the railway station. In addition, there are several large old trees around the platforms that still stand strong today. I personally think these trees are also a part of the station’s heritage because they have witnessed the long history and daily activities of this place for many years.


^{Another view of the over bridge}


^{There was a dustbin to keep the station clean}


^{Crowd in the station}

5. What's the craziest thing you've heard neighbors or locals say about this place?

According to the railway history and for many local people, Santahar is known as the “heart of the railway” in this region. It is believed that if Santahar Junction stops operating, railway communication across the northern part of Bangladesh would face serious problems because it is such an important junction station. Another interesting thing I know that trains from many different routes gather here like a “meeting point,” which is you can jokingly call it the “city of trains.”


^{Old tree}


^{The station platform features another old large flowering tree}

6. If you were in charge of naming this oddity, what funny name would you give it?

If I had the chance to rename this station with a funny and creative name, I would call it “City of Train Junction.”The reason is simple: trains are always moving here, and the entire area feels like a small city built around railway life. In some ways, it reminds me of Parbatipur, another railway-based town that is very familiar to me.


^{There are several small bakery shops on the platforms where passengers can buy tea, biscuits, beverages, ice cream, and other light snacks}

My Personal Experience

I really enjoyed visiting Santahar Railway Station. The constant movement of trains, the busy crowd of passengers, and the lively railway environment made the place feel full of energy and life. This station is not just a transportation point, it is also a part of history, daily life, and the railway culture of Bangladesh. Visiting such a historical and important station was truly a memorable experience for me.

Location Code and Other info

Attribute	Details
Place	Santahar Junction Railway Station
Steem Atlas Location	[//]:# (!steematlas 24.806188 lat 88.986187 long Santahar Junction Railway Station d3scr)
Google Location	Link
Country	Bangladesh
Location	Santahar, Rajshahi
Status	Active
I I took a selfie with my friend while going to Santahar Junction Station by trian