Mobile friendly

I have changed this website’s WordPress theme, so hopefully it should now be more mobile device friendly. Let me know if anything doesn’t work.

Meanwhile, I would recommend following “Historical Railway Images” on Flickr for lots of great photos of railways in the Middle East, such as this view of Krupp 2-8-0 steam locomotive No 1446 in Iraq. Click for more.

Iraq Railways - Krupp 2-8-0 steam locomotive Nr. 1446 (built 1956)

Hudswell Clarke steam loco model

Model of Hudswell Clarke steam loco built for Iraq

The Middleton Railway in Leeds has this model of a 2-8-4T steam locomotive supplied to the Iraq Petroleum Co by Hudswell Clarke. This model was displayed in the entrance to Hudswell Clarke’s offices.

There are rumours that one of these engines (No.2) had survived in Iraq, and may even still exist, possibly near Kirkuk… does anyone know more?

Maqil light railway pictures

Maqil light railway

Rainer Fuchs, who has a comprehensive website on Iraqi railway stamps, has found some wonderful vintage stereoscopic photographs of the Magil – Basra railway and the Magil light railway.

They are labelled with the name of Sunbeam Tours, who appear to have been at 37 Bedford Street, Strand, London WC2.

Maqil/Magil is near Basra, and seems to have a had a complicated mix of 2′, 2’6″ and metre gauge railways from World War I onwards.

Maqil - Basra railway

Maqil - Basra railway

Baghdad Central station refurbishment

It’s now a couple of years old, but I’ve just come across this article about modernisation work at Baghdad Central railway station.

The caption says This 1914 engine, capable of traveling 25 miles per hour, is the oldest Iraqi railway steam locomotive. It was retired in 1951 and is on display at the Baghdad Central Station.

Assuming this is the same plinthed loco as the one shown in the book Middle East Railways by Hugh Hughes, it is Baghdad Railway no.405, built by Borsig of Berlin as works no.8480 of 1912. It was originally an 0-6-0T, no.5.

Baghdad train station revitalized

Friday, 04 August 2006
Story and photos by Norris Jones
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

BAGHDAD — Karem recalled using Iraqi trains when he was a youngster.

Back then, the Baghdad Central Train Station was notorious for nonfunctioning restrooms and the foul odor of sewerage emanating from the basement. “But the trains themselves were always clean, comfortable and a great bargain,” the 33-year-old deputy resident engineer said.

Now Karem is overseeing a project that will not only re-introduce train travel to Baghdad, but will make the train station far better than he remembered as a child.

“Of the 19 projects I oversee, this is my favorite. I see the huge potential here,” he said. “Baghdad Central Train Station has the potential to generate many jobs – not only jobs directly connected with railroad operations, but also … taxi and bus drivers who would pick up passengers using the train station.”

In addition, more passengers coming through the train stations could generate more jobs at nearby hotels, shops and businesses, he said.

The $5.9 million project includes an all-new power plant and air conditioning system. “We have replaced all the electrical, water, and sewer lines. The roof and the plaster walls were replaced and the restaurant was rehabilitated,” Karem said.

The windows were replaced, all of the clocks were replaced and connected to one central system, and the broken mosaic floor tiles were replaced.

A new entrance was constructed. Two new seven-passenger elevators, new bathrooms and a hotel with 13 rooms were added along with a new fire alarm and sprinkler system. The train station was originally built by the British in 1954 and was considered the “Jewel of Baghdad” for travelers of the day. It offered telegraph services, a bank, a post office, shopping areas, a saloon and restaurant, and even had an office with printing presses which are still printing the train tickets.

“The overall structure was in great shape and we tried not to alter its historical look, despite the many improvements. If something needed to be added, we tried to match the same architectural style,” Karem said.

The project is nearing completion and Karem says a proposed $8 million maintenance facility for the locomotives and freight/passenger cars is now being considered.

“(The railroad is) the gateway to the world,” Karem said. “It’s a symbol of our freedom.”

Major Robert Nash, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer who worked with Karem on the project, said he’s proud of Karem and the other 35 Iraqis who work on the station.

“Karem came here as a quality assurance representative, was promoted to project engineer, and is now one of our two Iraqi resident engineers,” he said.

“We worked together and helped put a plan in motion to increase the potential of what the Baghdad Central Train Station can become. It was just one of Sadaam’s toys and sat in a state of disrepair for decades.”

Although the number of trains being operated is limited, Nash is confident will regain the prominence it once had.

He looks forward to the day when he can fly into Baghdad International Airport, take a cab to the train station, and travel to any point in Iraq safely, securely and comfortably.

“Our Iraqi engineers are … building relationships that will last long after the last American has departed.”

Dan in the Desert has some 2006 photos of the station, including one showing the steam engine.