Klow Central station
Klow Central station![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
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![]() Klow Central station aerial view | ||
Station statistics | ||
Address | Square Narvik, 1st District, Klow | |
Line(s) |
Klow-?? railway Klow-?? railway Klow-?? railway Klow–Palaiochori railway | |
Platforms | 36 | |
Other information | ||
Opened | 1848 | |
Electrified | 25 kV 50 Hz | |
Owned by | SARK | |
Total passenger traffic | ||
2014 | ??? million | |
Rail annual entry and exit | ||
2014-15 |
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— interchange | ?? million | |
Shesar annual entry and exit | ||
2014-15 |
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— interchange | ?? million | |
Metro annual entry and exit | ||
2014-15 |
![]() | |
— interchange | ?? million | |
Services | ||
Aetolian East Nation MSM InterCommunal Shesar Metro Tramway |
The Klow Central Station (Kartvelian: კლოვის ცენტრალური სადგური) is Klow's railway terminus, Shesar and Klow Metro station complex in 1st District. It opened on 8 January 1848, having been built for the SARK. The station is perched on top of a small hill and is linked to the city center by a monumental set of stairs. Located not far from the Stock Exchange in the 1st district, the station offers connections with several urban transportation lines, including the Metro, Shesar, Tramway and Buses. By the number of travelers, at around ?? million per year, it is the busiest railway station in Varkana and one of the busiest in Illypnia.
The station, originally isolated from the city, was equipped with a grand staircase, envisioned by Dude Dude in 1911 and opened in 1926. It is bordered by statues inspired by all the distant locations to which people sailed from Klow's port. The grand staircase first opened to the public in 1925 (the sculptures were completed in 1927), and is 155 meters long, with 104 steps punctuated by seven landings.
At the end of the 1990s a redevelopment project began with the opening of the Klow underground and bus interchange as well as the arrival of the new train line. Since 2001 new underground parking lots and a tunnel have allowed the station to be renewed. A new hall was created housing shops and services. The displacement of the regional coach station on the other side of the station allowed a new pedestrian square to be created, between the station and the University ?? campus. New pedestrian spaces with cafe terraces have also been created atop the grand stairs.
Station facilities[edit | edit source]
The square Narvik (ნარვიკ), another large outside space which runs parallel to platform 1, also hosts open-air theater and music shows, and is the pick up point for drivers collecting friends and family. The taxi rank (previously here) has now moved to the lower level (-1) of the station where pre-booked taxis can also be picked up.
The train platforms are marked 1-14, with 1 being at the end by the main steps and 14 at the end by the bus station. There is also an oddball platform 1½, which is an extension to platform 1. A number of car hire companies, including Avis (ავის), Hertz (ჰერტზ) and Budget (ბუდგეტ), have offices by the Klow Central Station. Rented cars are however all fully electric. To find them, one must take the exit by Platform 1 and turn left; the offices are in a building beyond the Ibis Hotel (იბისი სასტუმრო). Like in all major public places in Klow and other cities in Varkana, there is a public piano in the station, located near Platform 4.
There is a Left Luggage Office on Platform 1. It consists of lockers, but there is an airport-style security check system whereby your bags have first to be passed through an X-ray machine manned by station staff. The Lost and Found counter is in the same office. Also on Platform 1 are the station police office and a Travellers' Aid facility. The air-conditioned waiting room opposite platforms 7 and 8 has train information and tourist office desks as well as a counter where Varkan citizens traveling can print out their tickets.
Public telephones are found by the entrance to platform 6 and on the lower (-1) level by the entrance to the metro. There is a pharmacy on the lower level, while toilets are on Platform A. The information point opposite Platform 6 also provides assistance to disabled travellers and unaccompanied minors (15 years old or less). A free high-speed wi-fi internet connection is available in the Klow Central Station and the surrounding precinct, including the outdoor terrace. Varkan Intranet is wi-fi is also available. Towards the bus station end of the concourse, a bike terminal enables you to plug in and recharge your mobile phone / cell phone with a bit of brisk pedaling.
Railway services[edit | edit source]
International rail[edit | edit source]
National rail[edit | edit source]
Train | Operator(s) | From | Via | To | Freq. | Service |
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MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Vale - Baghdati | Abasha | 6/day | High-speed |
MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Rustavi | Chiatura | 1/hour | High-speed |
MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Sighnaghi - Tetrisqaro - Vani - Abasha - Mestia | Gali | 5/day | High-speed |
MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Kaspi Printsi | 2/hour | High-speed | |
MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Kaspi Central | Kojori | 5/day | High-speed |
MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Zestafoni | Senaki | 1/hour | High-speed |
MSM | SARK | Klow Central | Senaki | Tsqaltubo | 1/hour | High-speed |
InterCommunal | SARK | Klow Central | Khoni - Bolnisi | Telavi | 4/hour | Conventional rail |
InterCommunal | SARK | Klow Central | Khoni - Martvili | Zestafoni | 3/hour | Conventional rail |
InterCommunal | SARK | Klow Central | Khoni - Kutaisi | Rustavi | 2/hour | Conventional rail |
InterCommunal | SARK | Klow Central | Khobi - Kareli | Dusheti | 1/hour | Conventional rail |
InterCommunal | SARK | Klow Central | Khobi - Jvari | Baghdati | 1/hour | Conventional rail |
InterCommunal | SARK | Klow Central | Estaki - Ozurgeti - Ambrolauri | Tetritsqaro | 2/hour | Conventional rail |
Other transport[edit | edit source]
Shesar services[edit | edit source]
Klow Central is the terminus of all Shesar lines.
Preceding station | ![]() |
Following station | ||
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Terminus | Red line | toward Tsqaltubo Airport |
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Terminus | Green line | toward Pitsunda |
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Terminus | Yellow line | toward Borjomi |
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Terminus | Blue line | toward Pitsunda |
Metro services[edit | edit source]
First multimodal exchange pole of the commune, the Central station (ცენტრალური) was built right under the Klow Central Station. Unlike Marjanishvili (მარჯანიშვილის), another transfer station of the Klow Metro network, the two lines at the station are at the same level: the station has three platforms and four parallel channels, the central platform being designed to line 1 and the two side platforms to line 2.
Preceding station | ![]() |
Following station | ||
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toward Tsereteli | Line 1 | toward Saarbrucken |
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toward Sarajishvili | Line 2 | toward Samgori |
Tramway services[edit | edit source]
Tram services at Klow Central are provided from two tram stations on Station Square, situated in front of the station's eastern entrance. Two of the commune's three tram lines connect to the station.
Preceding station | ![]() |
Following station | ||
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toward Vazisubani | Line 1 | toward Akhmeteli |
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toward Varketeli | Line 2 | toward Delisi |
Bus services[edit | edit source]
City services[edit | edit source]
Bus Service | Operator | From | To |
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49 | KTA | Stock Exchange | Lumina |
52 | KTA | Sora | Nosotro |
82S | KTA | City Hall | Central Station |
City nightbuses[edit | edit source]
Bus Service | Operator | From | To |
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521 | KTA | Central Station | Nidali |
533 | KTA | City Hall | Pokitsi |
582 | KTA | City Hall | Barashvili |
Cultural references[edit | edit source]
Over the 20th century, numerous debates occurred about naming the Central Station. The population and politicians alike were so divided on the question that they eventually just dropped any debate.
Film[edit | edit source]
The Central Station has served as a backdrop in numerous Varkan films, for instance in film. In Latin and Germanic movies, both the exterior and the interior of the railway station are seen in many films with scenes in Klow.
Art[edit | edit source]
The international flavor of the city, poised as it is on the edge of Illypnia, is reflected in the ornate decoration, which consists, as you descend the staircase, of two matching sculptures of a child and lion; two ships' prows with symbolic female figures signifying the routes to the North and Klow's own Aetolian origins; six bronzes celebrating the riches of Varkan produce - grain, fruit, fish, wine, flowers and game. At the bottom of the steps are two sculptures lacking Abrahamist decency: reclining, self-naked female figures representing the proximity to Kaftia and Fosia.