Rail transport in Saudi Arabia

Rail transport in Saudi Arabia is managed by Saudi Railway Organization. It provides freight service on three main lines, 1018 km total, which connect Riyadh with Persian Gulf port of Dammam. [http://www.saudirailways.org/english/technical_information.htm] Their passenger trains operate between Riyadh and Dammam. There are plans for extending the network to the Red Sea port of Jeddah and, eventually to the borders of Jordan, Yemen and Israel, and assumingly all the way to Egypt [http://www.saudirailways.org/english/railway_stations.htm] .

History

The first railway in modern Saudi-Arabia was Hejaz railway, running from the border of Jordan to Medina. This railway opened in 1908, was shut down in 1915. This line was narrow gauge.

Modern Railroads were introduced in Saudi Arabia after World War II, to facilitate transport of goods of Saudi Aramco Petroleum Company from Persian Gulf ports to warehouses in Dhahran. Construction started in October 1947 and the first line was inaugurated on October 20, 1951. Initially, it was run by Aramco, but subsequently transferred to the state. Since 1968, it operates as a public corporation. Several development projects have been completed thereafter - such as extension of the line to Riyadh, construction of several passenger terminals and opening of a dry port in Riyadh. [http://www.saudirailways.org/english/how_organization_came.htm]

Network

Saudi rail network consist of the following main lines:
* Line 1: Dammam - Abqaiq - Hofuf - Riyadh (449.11 km), used by passenger trains.
* Line 2: Dammam - Abqaiq - Hofuf - Haradh - Al Kharj - Riyadh (555.951 km), used by freight trainsNote: Despite the tracks of both of the lines run parallel on the same basement between Dammam and Hofuf they are operated as different lines.
* Dammam Port Line (12.854 km)( [http://www.saudirailways.org/english/technical_information.htm Technical information on SRO] )

Saudi Railways Expansion Programme

Saudi Railway Organization is planning to enhance the network in the following directions, among others:
* The Saudi Landbridge - construction of a 950 km line from Riyadh to Jeddah and 115 km from Dammam and Jubail, which will connect Persian Gulf with Red Sea
* The North South Railway which is going from Riyadh via Buraidah, Hail and Al Jawf to Al Haditha, with a branch to Ras Azzwar at the Gulf coast and some minor branches to bauxite and phosphate mines. It is mainly considered for mineral transport but also for general freight and passenger transport.
* Line to Mecca and Medina, connected with the network at Jeddah, to provide a safe and comfortable transport for Hajj pilgrims arriving via Jeddah. [http://www.saudirailways.org/english/expansion.htm]

See also

* Rail transport by country
* Saudi Arabia
* Transport in Saudi Arabia

Towns served

References

* [http://www.saudirailways.org/english/e_default.htm Official site of Saudi Railway Organization]
* [http://www.saudirailexpansion.com/saudirailexpansion/default.aspx Official site of Saudi Railways Expansion Programme]