HIGH SPEED RAIL and you won't believe where...

[Ocklawaha]

LYBIA



LIBYA


LIBYA

Libya plans to build High Speed Rail line connecting Tunisia and Egypt
Tue, 12/07/2010 - 14:26 â€" HSL Zone

The Libyan government is reviewing a feasibility study for the estimated USD 2 billion high speed railway line between Benghazi and Tobruk in the east of the country.

A source at the firm said that Dorsch Afrique, a subsidiary of Germany’s Dorsch Holding, is the consultant carrying out the feasibility study and is considering several alternatives to the alignment of the railway including coastal, desert and mountain options. This will result in the railway line being between 440 kilometers and 480 kilometers in length.

Dorsch Afrique is also working on the design of 150 kilometers of high speed track running from Tobruk to Umm Saad on the Egyptian border. These projects are the final part of Libya’s plans to build USD 7.9 billion high speed railway line that will run along the Mediterranean coast connecting Tunisia and Egypt through Libya’s main cities.

In 2008, Russian Railways won the EUR 2.2 billion deal to construct high speed line along the Mediterranean coast from Sirte to Benghazi. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2012. China Railway is working on USD 2.6 billion worth of rail projects in Libya including the high speed track between Khums and Sirte.

The client for Libya’s railway development is the Railway Executive Board which is also planning to extend the line westwards from Khums to Tripoli.

Aside from its high speed projects, Libya is also planning to develop a metro in Benghazi. Tender documents are currently being prepared and this project could start to move forward in 2011. A 104 kilometers metro network in Tripoli is also planned. The first phase will be the red line that will run 41 kilometers from the airport to the centre of Tripoli and then east towards Tajura.
SOURCE: http://www.hslzone.com/node/80






MOROCCO


MOROCCO

http://www.youtube.com/v/qGsF6bCkuN4?fs=1&hl=en_US
MOROCCO

Marrakech Express
by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Looking at the world
Trough the sunset in your eyes
Trying to make the train
To clear Moroccan skies
Bugs and pigs and chickens call
Animal carpet wall to wall
American man is five foot tall and you

Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they've led
Listen up to what's been said to you

Would you know we're riding
on the Marrakech Express
Would you know we're riding
on the Marrakech Express
All on board that train

I've been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair

Take a train to Casablanca going south
Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my m,m,m,m,mouth
Cold coffins hang in the square
Charming corporals in the square
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakech Express
They're taking me to Marrakech Express
Don't you know we're riding on the Marrakech Express
They're taking me to Marrakech
All on board that train








HIGH SPEED RAIL EQUIPMENT ARRIVING AT THE DOCK


TANGIERS STATION, MOROCCO


MARRAKESH STATION, MOROCCO


MARRAKESH STATION, MOROCCO







TUNISIA



TUNISIA
Tunisia is on track to radically change the way its cargoes are carried, with the government looking to invest up to $5.5bn in a high-speed rail link with neighbouring Libya and Algeria that is intended to boost regional trade and integration.

Tunisia already has an extensive rail grid, including light-rail passenger systems in major urban areas with main-line passenger and freight lines connecting cities and logistics centres such as the ports network.

While having well over 2100 km of mainline tracks, more than a quarter of these are of a different gauge to the rest of the network, reducing operational efficiency. Furthermore, only a small percentage of the mainline grid is electrified, while the process of duplicating sections of the network to speed up two-way travel has made limited progress.

Although the country benefits from a solid rail backbone, Tunisian firms still only make limited use of the services provided by the Tunisian National Railways, with less than 10% of all freight movements being made by rail. With successive governments having invested heavily in improving the country’s road network and with the vast majority of Tunisia’s international trade â€" an estimated 95% of all imports and exports â€" being carried by sea, rail has become a weaker link in the logistics chain.

All of this is set to change over the next decade though, with the state ramping up spending on internal rail services and committing to a massive infrastructure project to connect Tunisia with its Maghreb neighbours.

At the end of May, a summit hosted by the Tunisian Transport Ministry and the Tunisian Industry, Trade and Handicrafts Union brought together representatives of the state rail authorities of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia to discuss a high-speed Maghreb rail network.

The proposed trans-Maghreb high-speed line is to link Casablanca with Tripoli via Algiers and Tunis, connecting the capital cities and major transport hubs of the region by rail in order to facilitate both passenger and cargo movement. Tunisia’s share of this project involves the construction of 780 km of line and the related support infrastructure.

Tunisia has been a strong supporter of the project, which it regards as a fast track to improved trade with the region and in international markets. According to Chokri Mamoghli, Tunisian secretary of state for foreign trade, the Maghreb has a leading role to play in the transport sector, serving as it does as a bridge between Africa and Europe, and the Mediterranean in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. As such, it is vital that a more efficient and modern transport infrastructure be put in place, as this would promote competitiveness on both a national and regional level, Mamoghli told the conference.
SOURCE: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201008106860/Economics/tunisia-on-track-investing-55bn-in-a-high-speed-rail-link-with-libya-and-algeria.html






ALGERIA



ALGERIA
Algiers metro
Construction work on a metro system for Algiers has now been under way for more than 15 years. The first 450-metre section was completed in 1994 and in 1999, Systra was appointed to manage the project, with Gaama, an Algerian/German joint venture carrying out much of the construction work.

In 2003 the government decided to restructure the organisation and funding of the scheme. It awarded key contracts to Siemens Transportation Systems; Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Dywidag International; and Construcciones y auxiliar de ferrocarriles.

There were hopes it might open this year, but in January, Transport Minister, Amar Tou, said the network will not begin operations until 2012.

The project has proved hugely challenging, thanks to the steep variations in terrain, and the difficulties of drilling through the rock on which Algiers is built.
SOURCE:  http://www.meed.com/supplements/2010/rail-projects/north-africa-revives-rail-links/3009188.article







KENYA





KENYA
* The journey to Mombasa from Nairobi will be just three hours

* Imagine travelling at 160km per hour... in a train!

The prospect of this dream becoming a reality in Kenya grew on Monday when Kenya Railways Corporation advertised a tender for a standard gauge line to run from Mombasa to Malaba.

Such a line would shorten the train journey from Nairobi to Mombasa from 10 to only three hours.

Prospective transaction advisers and design consultants have until January 15, 2010, to forward their bids.

Their proposed assignment includes project marketing, investor identification and supporting selection of consultants to monitor detailed design, building and commissioning of the railway.

“Construction is scheduled to commence in May 2011,” the corporation’s managing director, Mr Nduva Muli, said in a two-page paid up advertisement.

The railway line, which will stretch from Mombasa to Malaba on the Kenya/Uganda border with a branch to Kisumu, would see double-decker passenger trains introduced in the region.

According to the government’s timetable, the Mombasa-Nairobi section of the line will be complete by 2013, Nairobi-Kisumu by 2016, and Nairobi-Malaba by 2016.

“The government recognised the need to build the new modern railway in order to increase capacity and improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of the transport sector,” the advertisement says.

The move signals the government’s admission that the 25-year concession of the current Kenya-Uganda railway to Rift Valley Railways, a consortium led by South Africa’s Sheltam Ltd, in 2006 has not lived up to its expectations.

The concession to RVR is the subject of a court case after Kenya Railways Corporation expressed a desire to terminate the contract.

In this year’s budget, Sh3 billion was allocated to initiate the revamping of the over 100-year old railway system.
SOURCE:  http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/654576/-/item/0/-/3xeaw2/-/index.html







SUDAN





SOUTH SUDAN
HIGH-SPEED RAIL FOR SUDAN
By railwaysafricaeditor / May 7, 2010 / Sudan

Southern Sudan has announced plans to build a high-speed railway from Juba to Tororo in Uganda. Business Daily quotes presidential adviser (and director-general of the project) Kostelo Garang saying that phase one â€" from Tororo to Gulu â€" will cost an estimated $US3 billion. The second phase â€" to Juba â€" will cost an estimated $US4 billion. The proposed line would greatly facilitate the movement of goods and people between Juba and the wider East African region including Mombasa.

SOURCE: http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/05/high-speed-rail-for-sudan/

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

SOUTH AFRICA


Cape Town Station


Gautrain South Africa's HSR


WORLD FAMOUS BLUE TRAIN


Gautrain


South Africa Commuter Train

SOUTH AFRICA
Gautrain’s skilled technicians have just completed the last of the Gautrain’s 81 locally assembled rail cars at the UCW Partnership in Nigel. The last rail car was delivered to Gautrain’s depot in Midrand on 7 December 2010 and was welcomed by a host of guests celebrating its arrival.

“It is a moment of intense pride as South Africans celebrate that which is possible right here at home,” said Mandla Nkomfe, MEC Gauteng Department of Finance. “Socio-Economic Development achievements by Gautrain have contributed to Gauteng Provincial Government objectives as it enables faster economic growth and job creation and develops healthy, skilled and productive people”.

The carriages arrived in a heavy hauler from specialist heavy lifting and transportation company Vanguard. These will complete the full Gautrain fleet of 24 four-car train sets each consisting of four rail cars, which is equivalent to 96 rail cars.

Gautrain rolling stock is based on the well known BOMBARDIER ELECTROSTAR series, known for it’s state-of-the-art technology and reliable, high performance standards on commuter routes in the United Kingdom. The lightweight aluminium car bodies â€" a first for South Africa â€" also offer increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements. It has been customised to meet South African requirements. A core feature of the ELECTROSTAR rail cars is their suitability for local assembly, which is made possible by the use of modular construction methodology. In turn, this delivers on Gautrain’s socio-economic objectives of skills transfer and job creation. Of the total of 96 rail cars, ten are specially customised for use on the airport link, and contain additional features such as extra luggage space and wider seats. The other 86 rail cars are designed for commuter services.
SOURCE:  http://www.gautrain.co.za/newsroom/2010/12/gautrain-completes-its-last-rail-car/






ETHIOPIA





ETHIOPIA
“As part of the draft Five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), the government has announced its intention to construct close to 2,000km of railway by 2015. Being an effective, low-cost, and time-saving mode of transporting products in bulk, rail transportation enjoys a high priority in the GTP.

“The national network is intended to support Ethiopia’s agricultural sector by transporting export grain and livestock, according to ERC board chairman and newly-appointed minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, speaking during the signing ceremony.

“Expediency seems to be important for the government as the search for financing has taken a long time. Although India and China were initially approached to finance the project, it was China who came through with the money in the end. A few months ago, the Export Import Bank of China reportedly signed a $US100 million loan.

“The Chinese Railway Corporation was awarded the track from Addis Abeba to Mesio, part of the track going to Djibouti. As the major export corridor of the country, the railway to Djibouti has been given priority by the government.”
SOURCE:  http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/11/ethiopia%E2%80%99s-grand-plans/





ERITREA



ERITREA:
Eritrea’s enthusiastic railway builders, who have literally done the impossible by restoring the117km, 950mm gauge Asmara-Mts’iwa (Red Sea port) line in forbidding mountainous territory with the barest minimum of resources, have ambitious aims. The first stage is to rebuild the 124km section west of Asmara (the capital at an elevation of 2,394m, ie higher than Johannesburg) to Ak’ordat which has been out of action for several decades. The next step envisages a 109km extension to Bisha and after that the Sudan border near Tessenei, with an ultimate connection to Kassala (on Sudan’s Khartoum-Haiya-Port Sudan line) in mind. The governmenrt has assigned 1,000 soldiers to help railway CEO Amanuel Ghebreselassie with his demanding project.

In its best year, 1957, the line moved 200,000 tonnes of freight but the war with Ethiopia ravaged the railway and today most goods are conveyed â€" somehow â€" over the winding mountain road. Regular passenger service does not yet exist but pre-booked tourist excursions run from time to time, using antique Mallett steam locomotives.
SOURCE:  http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2007/01/en-route-to-the-sudan/






SWAZILAND



"Hello Jaxport? Guess WHAT we have?"


Improving on this...

SWAZILAND:
By railwaysafricaeditor / April 19, 2010 / Swaziland

In a recent interview, Swaziland Railway (SR) Chief executive Gideon Mahlalela told a reporter that the number of tourists who prefer travelling by train “grows by the day”, which he said augurs well for the growth of the industry. The railway has partnered with two privately-owned South Africa-based organisations, Rovos Rail and Shongololo, in “offering an exciting travel alternative to tourists in the region.”

On 8 April, 77 tourists arrived at Mpaka station in Swaziland aboard the Shongololo Southern Cross. On 9 April, 46 golfers passing through en route to Ezulwini were welcomed to the country by Mahlalela. On 9 and 10 April taken together, 123 tourists arrived by rail.
SOURCE:  http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/04/rail-tourism-in-swaziland/






ZAMBIA


Zambian Long-Distance Train


Victoria Fall's Railway Bridge - It's being speeded up too

By railwaysafricaeditor / August 20, 2010 / Zambia

The Chipata-Mchinji line will be officially opened on 27 August, Zambian Eastern Province minister Isaac Banda told the press. The government has invited Malawian and Mozambique officials to attend the function.

Banda said the date was set to coincide with the hosting of this year’s Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa-speaking people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, scheduled to take place in Katete on 28 August.

Building of the Chipata-Mchinji railway was launched in 1982 as a bilateral project between Zambia and Malawi but the Zambian Government abandoned it 10 years afterwards because of lack of funds. The scheme was revitalised in 2006 by late president Levy Mwanawasa.

In 2009, the government allocated another K10 billion in the national budget for completion of the line.
SOURCE: http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/08/chipata-mchinji-line-to-open/






MOZAMBIQUE


Mozambique Long Distance Train


MOZAMBIQUE
By railwaysafricaeditor / January 31, 2011 / Mozambique

According to Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) CEO Brenda Horne Ferreira: The fact that we congregated more than 600 participants at the CFM railway station [in Maputo] at the MCLI sixth annual general meeting bears witness to the continued support and momentum on our corridor, with the three rail partners also jointing the board of MCLI clearly enforcing the importance of sufficient rail service to support the port of Maputo.

“MCLI for 2011 will remain focused on the following areas on our corridor to support and promote operational efficiencies and in so doing reduce the cost of transport and hence the cost of doing business in the region:

• Continued promotion of the Maputo multi-modal, multi-lateral transit corridor comprising a well-maintained road, rail line, border post, multi-purpose port and terminals, with continued services by our members and other stakeholders â€" with a continued greater MCLI presence in Maputo, now that our application as a foreign NPO operating in Mozambique is lodged with the ministry of foreign affairs;

• Engagement with our rail operators to ensure that rail transport fully supports the full potential of the Port of Maputo.”
SOURCE:  http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2011/01/focus-on-rail-to-maputo/






ANGOLA


Birth of a new railway age... FROM CHINA


NEW HSR RAILWAY BRIDGE

ANGOLA:
After decades out of use, Angola's war-shattered railways are coming back to life with new trains, tracks and stations.

The first section to open fully will be the 424km (263 miles) Luanda to Malange route, taking people and freight from the capital up into Angola's agriculture-rich central north-eastern region.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

   This train is a symbol of Angola's peace and development.”

End Quote Jose Joao Kuvingua Vice Minister of Transport, Angola

Already operating a peak-hour 30km (19-mile) commuter service between central Luanda and its eastern suburbs, the trains will soon be running the full length of the railway, linking previously isolated rural communities with provincial capitals.

The fleet of diesel locomotives serving the Caminho de Ferro de Luanda (CFL; Luanda Railway) are proudly painted in the Angolan colours of red, black and yellow with a national flag attached to the door of the driver's cab.

There are 16 new stations along the line all painted in bright pinks and oranges and some with glass and steel fronts.

They cut a stark contrast to their bullet-marked colonial predecessors which stand often just metres away from the new structures, as a crumbling memory of Angola's war-torn past....

....Like the track and stations, the locomotives are also Chinese and there is a strange mix of English, Portuguese and Chinese signage inside the carriages which are nonetheless clean and modern with functioning toilets and a restaurant car.

There will be three different passenger classes on the Luanda to Malange service: "Primeira", with reclining leather seats with individual television sets; "Expresso" with comfortable chairs arranged in fours around tables and communal televisions; and "Tramway" the cheapest option fitted out with benches to maximise passenger numbers.

Ticket prices are yet to be announced but a CFL official told the BBC he hoped the standard fare would be less than the current price of a coach from Luanda to Malange, which is 2,500 kwanzas ($26; £17).

The CFL is the first of three train lines to come back into full service and by the end of 2012, Angola hopes to have all three fully operational again.

The Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB) is the longest railway in Africa, stretching 1,344km (835 miles) from the port city of Lobito on the Atlantic coast over to the small town of Luau, on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
SOURCE:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11295533

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I was amazed at how present the Chinese were in almost EVERY project I studied, along with France, Germany, Russia and South Korea, they are manufacturing and exporting BILLIONS of dollars worth of technology. Hey, I've got an idea, let's freeze Sunrail, quit High Speed Rail, and zero the budget for Amtrak. Imagine, no more wasteful spending on trains, we've got FREEways, airports, and pogo sticks. The Pew Trust and Heritage Foundation, recently said why spend money on 19th century technology... I agree, the first airplane flights were in the 1890's.









USA... are you feeling inferior yet? Better get used to it.

OCKLAWAHA