I just had an e-mail asking:

Just wondering if you know when the Baghdad – Kirkuk (passing through Khanaqin) line was built? I’m based in Khanaqin and a local sheihk showed me a lantern from this railway.

According to Middle East Railways by Hugh Hughes, the metre-gauge line from Baghdad reached Tiaruq on the Persian frontier in January 1919, and was diverted to “a more useful terminus at Khanaqin” in 1922. The Jalula – Kingerban section dates from 1919, and was extended to Tuz Khurmatu (April 1925) and Kirkuk (August 1925).

It seems the line was taken out of service in 1987, when the standard gauge line from Baiji to Kirkuk was opened. A groundbreaking ceremony had been held in Baiji on February 8 1983, and the ceremonial inauguration was carried out by Minister of Communications Mohammed Hamza Al Zubaidi on November 7 1987.