Trams and metros in Iraq

Baghdad

Trams

Tram Views of Asia has two postcards showing double-deck horse drawn tramcars on a two and half mile tramway linking Baghdad with a mosque at Kamazene (or Kadhimain) near Shalchiyah. The line opened in 1871 and lasted until at least World War II.

Metro

There have been occasional reports of discussions and contracts relating to a planned metro in Baghdad. Part of it might have been built, and used for non-public transport purposes. Railway Gazette (p516 July 1982) said work was to start August 1983, for test running 1986.

Construction phase Line Route Description
Phase 1 Line 1 Thawra (depot) (north) – Aadhamiya (west) 32km 36 stations.
60% bored tunnel, rest cut and cover
Line 2 Mansour (depot) (south) – Masbah (east)
Phase 2   extensions 11 km, 10 stations
Phase 3 Line 3 In north of city  

[Map
Map showing the routes of the metro lines proposed for Baghdad.

Nejef

There is a photograph of a double-deck horse tram in Nejef taken in Mesopotamia during World War One on Edward A Walmsley’s website.

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