Rail transport in Libya: Difference between revisions
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A {{RailGauge|950mm}} <!-- surely not 960 mm --> gauge network centred on [[Tripoli]] was opened from [[17 March]] 1912 as part of the Italian occupation campaign. This extended from Tripoli 120 km west to [[Zuara]], 100 km south to Garian and 10 km east to [[Tagiura]]. A {{RailGauge|750mm}} (later 950 mm) gauge railway was built east from [[Benghazi]]; the main route was 110 km long to Barce (now Al Mari) and was opened in stages between 1911 and 1927. [[Benghazi]] also had a 56 km branch to [[Suluq|Soluch]] opened in 1926. Military extensions of some 40 km were made from [[Barce]] towards [[Derna]] in [[World War II]]. This was the final line to close, at the end of 1965. |
A {{RailGauge|950mm}} <!-- surely not 960 mm --> gauge network centred on [[Tripoli]] was opened from [[17 March]] 1912 as part of the Italian occupation campaign. This extended from Tripoli 120 km west to [[Zuara]], 100 km south to Garian and 10 km east to [[Tagiura]]. A {{RailGauge|750mm}} (later 950 mm) gauge railway was built east from [[Benghazi]]; the main route was 110 km long to Barce (now Al Mari) and was opened in stages between 1911 and 1927. [[Benghazi]] also had a 56 km branch to [[Suluq|Soluch]] opened in 1926. Military extensions of some 40 km were made from [[Barce]] towards [[Derna]] in [[World War II]]. This was the final line to close, at the end of 1965. |
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The standard gauge Western Desert Extension was built |
The standard gauge Western Desert Extension was built froma junjction 10km east of Matruh [[Egypt]] to [[Tobruk]] during WW2 to assist in the Allied defence of the area. In 1942 this 350 km route was completed as part of Allied advance across North Africa. The 125km Libyan section west of [[Sollum]] was removed after closure from [[20 December]] 1946, though the Eqyptian Railways Sollum branch still sees occasional freight. |
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== Current Plans == |
== Current Plans == |
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Revision as of 16:34, 22 August 2009
There have been no operational railways in Libya since 1965, but various lines existed in the past. An extensive system is now being developed and under construction.[1]
History
A 950 mm (3 ft 1+3⁄8 in) gauge network centred on Tripoli was opened from 17 March 1912 as part of the Italian occupation campaign. This extended from Tripoli 120 km west to Zuara, 100 km south to Garian and 10 km east to Tagiura. A 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) (later 950 mm) gauge railway was built east from Benghazi; the main route was 110 km long to Barce (now Al Mari) and was opened in stages between 1911 and 1927. Benghazi also had a 56 km branch to Soluch opened in 1926. Military extensions of some 40 km were made from Barce towards Derna in World War II. This was the final line to close, at the end of 1965.
The standard gauge Western Desert Extension was built froma junjction 10km east of Matruh Egypt to Tobruk during WW2 to assist in the Allied defence of the area. In 1942 this 350 km route was completed as part of Allied advance across North Africa. The 125km Libyan section west of Sollum was removed after closure from 20 December 1946, though the Eqyptian Railways Sollum branch still sees occasional freight.
Current Plans
There is a plan for an 3170 km 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge) network.[1] A line parallel to the coast will eventually form part of a North African link between Tunisia and Egypt. The section from the border with Tunisia at Ras Ejder, then via Tripoli to Sirt is currently under construction and is planned to open in 2009. Google Earth reveals (2007) progress with the trackbed. China Railway Construction Corporation has contracts to start work in June 2008 on a 352 km route between Sirt and Al Khums, to be finished by 2013.[2] The east-west line will be double track.
A second line will run 800 km from iron ore deposits at Wadi Shati near Sebha to the steel works and port at Misurata from 2012.[2]
A third line will run 554 km from Sirt to Benghazi in the East. In October 2007, Russian Railways submitted a feasibility study for the project, and in 2008 signed a contract to begin construction which will take 4 years to complete.[3] Work began on 30 August 2008.[4]
A trans-Saharan line is also planned, running south to Niger.
Rolling stock
On 10 June 2007 a contract was signed with American General Electric Co. for supply of locomotives and training of Libyan nationals in operational and maintenance work. The contract includes the import of spare parts and technical assistance. The first shipment will arrive Libya by mid 2009.
Timeline
2009
- January - China Railway Construction signs contract to build 172 km from Tripoli to Ras Ejder[5]
2008
- 30 August - Russian Railways begins work on 554 km Sirt to Benghazi railway.[4]
- 25 April - Russia to build coastal line from Sirt eastwards to Benghazi, approximately 500 km. This extends another project to build a 352 km line running from Sirt westwards via Misratah to Al Khums. [7]
- China Railway Construction wins $2.6b bids in Libya [8][9]. A west-to-east coastal railway 352 km from Al Khums to Sirt and a south-to-west railway 800 km long for iron ore transport from the southern city Sebha to Misurata.
2007
- Google Earth reveals (2007) progress with the trackbed along the coast between the Tunisian border at Ras Ejder and Surt via Tripoli.
1998
- Libya signed contracts with Bahne of Egypt and Jez Sistemas Ferroviarios for the supply of crossings and pointwork.
Railway links with adjacent countries
Algeria - no - same 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) gauge.
Chad - no
Egypt - no - proposed - same 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) gauge.
Niger - no - proposed
Sudan - no - break-of-gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)/1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Tunisia - no - proposed - mostly same 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) gauge, but some 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge would need to be converted to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in).
The earthworks for the new lines under construction can be seen on the aerial photographs.
- Castelverde, Libya
- Fondugh el-Allus
- Fondugh an-Naqqazah
- Bani Hasan
- Al Khums - coast
- Al Jum'ah
- Al Ghiran
Towns proposed to be served by rail
See also
References
- ^ a b "Earthworks 60% complete on first section of Libyan network". Railway Gazette International. 2001-01-01.
- ^ a b "Libyan links back on track". Railway Gazette International. 2008-02-22.
- ^ "Russian Railways in Libya to Build Railway between Surt and Benghazi" (Press release). Russian Railways. 2008-04-18.
{{cite press release}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Work starts on Libyan railway". Railway Gazette International. 2008-09-01. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Contract placed for next stage of Libyan network". Railway Gazette International. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Locos for Libya". RailwaysAfrica. 2008-11-28. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Benghazi Extension". RailwaysAfrica. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ English_Xinhua
- ^ Libya - Railpage Australia Forums (Africa)