Yangon Central Railway Station

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image_caption=Yangon Central Railway Station
address= Pansodan Street, Yangon, Myanmar
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Yangon Central Railway Station, located in downtown Yangon, is the largest railway station in Myanmar. It is the gateway to Myanmar's 3,126-mile (5,031 km) rail networkcite news | title=Myanmar Yangon Central Railway Station to Move to New Satellite Town | url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1177756/myanmar_yangon_central_railway_station_to_move_to_new_satellite/index.html | date=2007-12-11 | author=Xinhua News] whose reach covers Upper Myanmar (Naypyidaw, Mandalay, Shwebo), upcountry (Myitkyina), Shan hills (Taunggyi, Kalaw) and the Taninthayi coast (Mawlamyine, Ye).

The station was first built in 1877 by the British but destroyed by the retreating British in 1943 from advancing Japanese forces. The current station designed in traditional Burmese architectural style was completed in 1954.cite journal | title=Heritage structure still serves railway system | url=http://www.myanmar.com/myanmartimes/MyanmarTimes18-343/n010.htm | date=2006-11-20 | author=Maung Myat Mon (Sule) | publisher=The Myanmar Times] Yangon Central Railway Station has been designated a landmark building since 1996. In December 2007, the Yangon city government announced a master plan that will relocate Yangon Central to a satellite town, East Dagon, 32 km from downtown at an unspecified date.

History

Yangon Central Railway Station was first built in 1877 by the British to support Burma's first railway line, from Yangon to Pyay. The station was located on the southern side of the railway compound on the upper block of Phayre Street (now Pansodan Street) in the downtown area. The building was designed in the British Victorian style and the access roads were bordered by grassy lawns. The beauty of the property prompted locals to praise the new structure as the Fairy Station.

The station became a favorite target for Japanese bombers during World War II. In 1943 it was destroyed by British forces retreating to India.

The station was rebuilt following the war according to a design drawn by engineer Hla Thwin and based on Burmese traditional architectural styles. The new structure was 5110 square meters (55,000 sq ft) in size. To the north were grass lawns, gardens and wide access lanes. The new design was approved by the Railway Authority on 7 May 1946. Construction was started in January 1947 by engineer Sithu U Tin and completed in May 1954 at a total cost of K4.75 million. The opening ceremony of the new Yangon Central Railway Station was held on 5 June 1954.

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