During the early 80s, l ran a backpacker hostel in Athens as a winter 'job'. Once May came, the island season opened and it was time to rattle down to Piraeus port, on the Elektriki metro, in search of pastures new. The early evening trains in particular, were always thronged with travellers heading for overnight ferries.
The 15Km run from central Athens passed through some pretty grotty areas, particularly as the line approached Piraeus, but there was an undeniable aura of romance.
Occasionally a wooden bodied set would turn up, but it was the off white, 1950s German built trains which predominated. They bumped and clattered down the line, then into the all-over roofed terminus, right on the port.
From there it was a short but hazardous journey across a main road and onto the quays. Up to 20 ships, often former Channel ferries, would be ready to engulf the human tide. Invariably, the purser's crew would take one look at backpack bearers and say, "Upstairs and to the back". Shorthand...or shortspeak, for open deck class