Kershaw’s Model 46-6 Sand Removal Machines to join the IRR’s fleet of railway maintenance vehicles:

Al Burhan Group had signed a contract in 2008 with Iraqi Republic Railway to deliver 2 Kershaw Sand Removal Machines – Model 46-6 in 2009. Al Burhan Group has been working with Kershaw/Progress Rail to get the machines shipped on the 31st of December 2009, on Wallensius Wilhelmsen Lines to Um Qasr via Jabel Ali.

The machine will be one of the most superior machines used for removing sand from the train tracks. It’s the first time such a machine is being added to the Iraqi Republic Railway’s fleet of railway equipment. This machine will enable the IRR to focus on the dust covered track in the Western part of the country. This would improve the links between Iraq and its Western neighbours.

Following a January 15 2010 agreement between the Turkish, Syrian and Iraqi railways, passenger services between Mosul in Iraq and Gaziantep in Turkey are restarting this week.

The first train left Mosul on February 16 and was due to arrive in Gaziantep at 08.30 the next day, having passed through Syrian en route. The return journey sets off on February 18. “Economic, social and cultural ties will contribute to the development of the Gaziantep-Mosul passenger train” says TCDD.

The regular weekly service will leave Mosul at 12:00 on Tuesdays and Gaziantep at 21:00 on Thursdays, with a total journey time of 18 hours including the border formalities. A ticket is €25, or €35 in a couchette.

(disclaimer: this is based on a machine translation of the announcement on the TCDD website. Don’t blame me if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere!)

The BBC has a report Iraq-Turkey railway link re-opens, with a basic map of the Berlin – Baghdad route(!).

There has been a lack of updates in recent weeks months while I’ve concentrated on other things. But the website isn’t dead – there are updates to come. Thanks to people who keep e-mailing me more information about Iraq’s railways, and apologies to those who are still awaiting replies.

Ministry of Transport
Iraqi Republic Railways Co
Dept / Central purchasing
Ref / RBG / Steel Wire
Date 17 / 6 / 2009
Tender Announcement

The Iraqi railways company “IRR” Baghdad Iraq announces the issuanace of the following tender.:

Supplying of 500 ton of steel wire 3mm diameter for prestressed concrete sleepers according to specification s , Documents, special and general condition of the tender which can be obtained (by authorized representative of the company) from commercial department in Iraq railways head quarter building in Baghdad against the payment of non- refundable of (150000 I.D) one hundred and fifty thousands Iraqi dinar , 1% one percentage of tender price should be pay as initial insurances according to bank guarantee or approved check issued from any Iraqi bank relied the Central Bank or Iraq. The tender should be contain technical and commercial offers consider that the technical design is part of the technical offer. All the tender should be put in closed envelope in the tender box of the state Company of Iraqi Railways – Headquarter at Baghdad Central railways station – Damascus squar , Baghdad , Iraq.

The closing date will be Sunday 19/ 7 / 2009 12:00 noon Baghdad local time.

IRR is not obliged to accept the lowest prices and the submitted price will be regarded as final prices .

Offers not complying with the general conditions of the tender will be neglected.