Misplaced Pages

IRR Western Line

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JohnnyDoobydoo (talk | contribs) at 13:09, 29 June 2024 (adding more information to the history section). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 13:09, 29 June 2024 by JohnnyDoobydoo (talk | contribs) (adding more information to the history section)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)


The IRR Western Line, alternatively Baghdad-Qaim-Akashat Railway or Baghdad-Haseiba Railway is a railway line of the Iraqi Republic Railways that connects Akashat and Qaim with Baghdad via Ramadi and Falluja. It is a single-track line that is not electrified. The line is about 520 km (320 mi) long and has a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). The line is one of two Iraqi railways not fully out of service. There is a commuter rail service between Baghdad and Falluja. Due to the bridge over the Euphrates being destroyed services have to end at Falluja.

Technical Specifications

The Railway Line had a fully automatic relay system since 1986. The Railway Line possessed a network of sound cables that provided connections between the station and the locomotives as well as to other stations. As of October 2018, the signalling and communication systems are both out of service. The Line has five light maintenance workshops at Baghdad, Falluja, Ramadi, Haqlaniya and Akashat and one heavy maintenance factory at Qaim. The track gauge is 1435 millimetres (standard-gauge). The rails have a UIC 60 profile and consist of welded joints. The axel load is 25 tons.

History

The line started construction on the Akashat-Qaim Section in the Summer of 1981 and construction was completed by February 1982. The 516 km long section from Qaim to Baghdad started construction in November 1982 and was finished by approximately 1987.

Operations and Recent Developments

A daily commuter rail line is currently spanning the 65-kilometre distance from Baghdad to Falluja. Trains start the trip to the capital at 6:45 am and return at 3:00 pm. On average 250 passengers take the journey from Baghdad to Falluja every day. The line is 90% damaged and operators have to run the trains more cautiously than ideal- allowing only for a top speed of 100 kph. Tickets are relatively speaking very cheap, even for Iraqi standards with a one-way fair costing 2000 IQD or 1.5 USD. Even though new trains have been bought, the line still doesn't operate the 72 trains a day it did during its heyday. Trains may reach Qaim and Akashat in recent times due to the now possible connection over Baiji, although this route is certainly longer.

References

  1. https://www.france24.com/en/20180910-opened-iraqi-railway-sign-progress
  2. https://www.france24.com/en/20180910-opened-iraqi-railway-sign-progress

External links