The Argives fought long and hard to ensure that the train would pass through their city before Nafplio. Local newspapers claimed that Argos had more commercial traffic compared to Nafplio, which was considered a garrison town. The debate was defined by the zealotry and acrimony of the Press, but Argos won the argument. The line opened on March 25, 1886, to the great disappointment of five thousand spectators. They felt snubbed when the royal family failed to disembark. There were other problems too. Tickets were expensive, services were infrequent, delays were all too common, and the carriages were poorly maintained. In September 1886 passengers had to push the train uphill near Dervenakia. Nevertheless, the Argives were proud of their station. The municipal authorities illuminated the street that connected the station to the city’s main square with gas streetlights. The neoclassical station building dates to 1900 and includes the stationmaster’s residence and a cafe.