Libyan Railways

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.cite news | title=Earthworks 60% complete on first section of Libyan network | url =http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2001/01/131/earthworks_60_complete_on_first_section_of_libyan_network.html | work =Railway Gazette International | date = 2001-01-01 ]

History

A 950 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 750 mm (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 from Egypt to Tobruk during WW2 to assist in the the Allied defence of the area. In 1942 this 100 km route was completed as part of Allied advance across North Africa. It was closed from 20 December 1946 and was track removed west of Sollum.

Current Plans

There is a plan for an 3170 km standard gauge network. 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.

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.cite news | title=Libyan links back on track | url =http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2008/02/8173/libyan_links_back_on_track.html | work =Railway Gazette International | date = 2008-02-22 ]

A third line will run 554km 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. [cite press release | publisher="Russian Railways" | date=2008-04-18 | url=http://eng.rzd.ru/wps/portal/rzdeng?STRUCTURE_ID=15&layer_id=3044&id=101241 | title=Russian Railways in Libya to Build Railway between Surt and Benghazi] Work began on 30 August 2008. [cite news | publisher="Railway Gazette International" | date=2008-09-01 | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2008/09/8792/work_begins_on_libyan_railway.html | title=Work begins on Libyan railway ]

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.

Maps

* [http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/libya.pdf UN Map]

Railway links with adjacent countries

* Algeria - no
* Chad - no
* Egypt - no - proposed - same 1435mm gauge
* Niger - no - proposed
* Sudan - no
* Tunisia - no - proposed - mostly same 1435mm gauge, though some 1000mm gauge needs to be converted.

Towns proposed to be served by rail

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

* Sirt - coast
* Sebha - southeast inland
* Misurata - port
* Gabès - nearest station in Tunisia - 1000mm gauge.

External links

* [http://www.libyaninvestment.com/railways/main_railways.php About the Railway Executive Board]
* [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2001/01/131/earthworks_60_complete_on_first_section_of_libyan_network.html Earthworks 60% complete on first section of Libyan network] , Railway Gazette International January 2001.

References