A 12 October 2008 posting on Free Range International, a blog with some fascinating on-the-ground reports and thoughts from Afghanistan:
Two days ago, I traveled to Hairatan which is located approximately 65km north of Mazar-e-Sharif. It is also located on the Amu Darya river (formerly know as the Oxus River) which is the longest river in Central Asia. For someone like myself who has never operated any where else other than the southern or eastern parts of the country, it sure came across as a bit of a surprise.
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One of the most striking impressions that I got was seeing an operating freight rail system. After being to most corners of Afghanistan, and only witnessing ‘Jingle’ trucks and semi-trailers it was quite a sight to see a train in operation. The main purpose of the train is transporting fuel, which is imported from Uzbekistan.
Source: Free Range International
There are a couple of big pictures showing the Friendship Bridge and (presumably Uzbek Railways) locomotive TEM2-3315 in operation at Hayratan.
thought you might find this interesting? Iran Pours Cash Into Afghanistan, Seeking Leverage Against U.S.
Thanks. That 17 July 2008 Bloomberg report names the Iran – Herat railway construction contractor as being Tehran-based Abad Rahan Pars Road & Construction Co, and sure enough it is on their website:
Name of Contract: Rail Road Sangan-herat
Client: Ministry of Road and Transportation
Supervisor: Iran Eston
Award Date: Jan 07
They have completed “Reconstruction of Heart Airport” and “Herat/Maymaneh Bridges” projects, and are undertaking “Rehabilation of Herat-Turghandi Main Road”.
The Information Center of International Contractors of Iran says the Sangan-Herat Railway Construction contract is worth USD40m.