Railways of Iraq

Kimberly Johnson of USA Today reports on IRR

Iraq’s railroad, which dates back to the final years of the Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago, is struggling to make a comeback.

… It’s a hot, dusty ride either to go from Baghdad north to Mosul (225 miles) or south to Basra (340 miles), the main passenger routes. Either trip is cheap at the equivalent of about 50 cents one way, but the rides can take up to 12 hours. The trains rattle along the tracks at 30 mph. The coaches aren’t air-conditioned, and attacks by insurgents are a constant worry.

…

Just recently, the rail company acquired 40 Russian-built coaches [does anyone know any more about these?] and 14 fireproof coaches from Turkey.

[more]

Portal Iraq reports:

Ninety-seven railway stations have been renovated by the Facilities & Transportation (F&T) Sector of the Project & Contracting Office (PCO). The $42 million railroad program has 28 more stations to complete.

Forty-one of the completed stations are in northern Iraq throughout the governorates of Salah al-Din, Ninewa and Tameem.

…

There are two main types of railway stations under renovation: five-room crew stations used only by railway workers, and nine-room passenger stations for use both by railway passengers and railway workers, according to the PCO. Of the 97 railway stations to be worked on by the PCO, approximately 22 are passenger stations; the rest are crew stations only.

Currently the railway works out to be about 30 percent passenger use and 70 percent freight use. [more]

Dalian Locomotive Works has a news release about Iraq’s ambassador to China visiting the plant on June 17. It’s in Chinese, but a Babelfish translation gives the general idea.

… several years ago, the Dalian locomotive company has with the Iraqi railroad aspect has exported the locomotive project the cooperation, in the recent two years, the our company in the locomotive variety, the productivity as well as the foreign cooperation aspect also had the considerable development, the company has wanted and has the ability to provide the quality product and the good service in the Iraqi railroad reconstruction process. Ismail Ambassador to company’s warm reception expression thanks. His outline introduced the Iraqi railroad present situation, pointed out, at present Iraq is carrying on the postwar reconstruction, has the giant market demand in the railroad construction aspect. He indicates believed that, between both countries government and the people the deep traditional friendship and the Dalian locomotive company will have the good cooperation solid foundation based on Iraq in with the Iraqi railroad, both sides has been able to seek the broad cooperation in the Iraqi iron reconstruction process.

News from Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, 2005-07-20

In a meeting of Iraq’s minister of trans. and RAI President on July 16,2005, both parties stressed on the earlier start of khorramshahr-Basreh railway .

As told by Iraqi delegates, the feasibility studies of the plan has been finished in Iraq . In this meeting Iraq’s minister of trans. pointed to the 600 thousand tones of petroleum and its derivatives being exported through Syria’s railways and expressed hope that the establishment of the project will make easier rail connections for Iraq.

He also declared Iraq’s willingness to take advantage of Iran’s expertise in construction of Karbala –Najaf railway and overhauling of locomotives and wagons.

RAI president also expressed Iran’s inclination for construction of Khorramshahr- Basreh railway and referred to the two operational phases : firstly, infrastructure and superstructure of tracks throughout the way in Iran and Iraq and secondly, bridge construction over Arand –Roud.

At the end of meeting, Iraq’s delegation visited Tehran Railway station.