The Jerusalem-Jaffa Railway was originally opened on September 26, 1892. The present-day Israel Railways service to Jerusalem largely uses this same routing, with some exceptions. Although the journey is a lengthy one and almost never faster than taking the bus, it is far more scenic and worth taking at least once, just for the experience. The line was closed in 1998 due to low ridership, and reopened following extensive rebuilding in 2003 to Beit Shemesh and in 2005 to Jerusalem. However, the line now terminates at Malha Station in southern Jerusalem instead of Khan Station, closer to the city center. The tracks and right of way from Malha to Khan were largely intact as of the summer of 2005, and remain so between Malha Station and Tzomet Oranim (at the intersection of Emek Refaim and Piere Koening streets). However, starting in the fall of 2009, Derech HaRekevet has been under construction and a bike path is being constructed over the old railroad right-of-way. The first phase of the path will go from Derech Beit Lehem to Tzomet Oranim. The path will ultimately continue along the railroad right of way to Malha and then form a C shaped loop around the western side of Jerusalem.
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 Old Jerusalem Railway Station, June 25, 2009 |  Old Jerusalem Railway Station, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |
 Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way at the north end Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") crossing Derech Beit Lehem (Bethlehem Road) in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |
 Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road"), looking south from Derech Beit Lehem (Bethlehem Road) in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way at the site of bumper block at the Old Jerusalem Railway Station, June 26, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way just beyond the grade crossing at Derech Beit Lehem on the "final approach" to the old railway station, April 20, 2010 |