Iraqi Republic Railways#History
{{Short description|State-owned railway company of Iraq}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Iraqi Republic Railways
| logo = 200px
| native_name = الشركة العامة لسكك الحديد العراقية
| native_name_lang = ar
| type = Government-owned corporation
| foundation = 1905
| industry = Rail transport
| products = Passenger Rail Transport
| homepage = [http://www.scr.gov.iq www.scr.gov.iq]
| footnotes =
}}
{{Infobox rail network
|name = Iraqi Republic Railways
|color =
|logo =
|image =
|caption =
|nationalrailway = Iraqi Republic Railways Company
|infrastructure =
|majoroperators = Iraqi Ministry of Transport
|ridership =
|passkm = 99.98 Million (2010){{cite web | url=https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/iraq/indicator/IS.RRS.PASG.KM | title=Iraq - Railways, passengers carried (Million passenger-km) }}
|freight =
|length = {{convert|2272|km|mi}}
|doublelength =
|ellength =
|freightlength =
|hslength =
|gauge = {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}}
|hsgauge =
|gauge1 =
|gauge1length =
|gauge2 =
|gauge2length =
|gauge3 =
|gauge3length =
|gauge4 =
|gauge4length =
|el =
|el1 =
|el1length =
|el2 =
|el2length =
|el3 =
|el3length =
|notunnels = 1 (Mosul Railway Tunnel)
|tunnellength = {{convert|912|m|ft}}
|longesttunnel =
|nobridges =
|longestbridge = Hindiya Railway Bridge({{convert|1250|m|ft}})
|nostations = 107
|highelevation =
|highelat =
|lowelevation =
|lowelat =
|map =
|}}
File:Baghdad Train Station 1959.jpg.]]
Iraqi Republic Railways Company (IRR; {{langx|ar|الشركة العامة لسكك الحديد العراقية}}) is the national railway operator in Iraq.
Network
IRR comprises {{convert|2272|km|mi}} of {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}}. IRR has one international interchange, with Chemins de Fer Syriens (CFS) at Rabiya. The system runs from Rabiya southward through Mosul, Baiji, and Baghdad to Basra, with a branch line from Shouaiba Junction (near Basra) to the ports of Khor Az Zubair and Umm Qasr, westward from Baghdad through Ramadi and Haqlaniya to Al Qaim and Husayba, with a branch line from Al Qaim to Akashat, and east–west from Haqlaniya through Bayji to Kirkuk.
=Routes=
==IRR Southern Line==
{{main|IRR Southern Line}}
The IRR Southern Line, also known as the Baghdad–Basra Railway Line, is the only fully operational rail route in Iraq. It stretches 550 kilometres to Basra Al Maqal railway station and has a branch line to Karbala and another one from Shoeyba Junction to Um Qasr.
==IRR Northern Line==
{{main|IRR Northern Line}}
The IRR Northern Line connects the capital of Baghdad with the northern city of Mosul and then to the international interchange at Rabiyaa. The line is currently in reconstruction. A daily commuter train currently connects Baghdad and Samarra, with an extra train on Fridays for pilgrims.
==IRR Western Line==
{{Main|IRR Western Line}}
The Line connects Baghdad to the phosphate mining village of Akashat. Between 2009 and 2024 the only section in use was the 65-kilometre-long section from Baghdad to Falluja. On October 8, 2024, the connection to the rest of the line finished reconstruction. On October 11, 2024, the first Train departed Ramadi for Baghdad after a fifteen-year hiatus.
==IRR Transversal Line==
{{main|IRR Transversal Line}}
This rail line connects Haditha with the intersection to the IRR Western, over Baiji, where it connects to the IRR Northern, to Kirkuk in the north-east of Iraq. It is the only major route to not run to Baghdad. Currently, only the Baiji-Field-Branch is currently in use for freight service.
=Abandoned routes=
==IRR Eastern Line==
{{main article|IRR Eastern Line}}
The IRR Eastern Line was the last metre-gauge railway in Iraq connecting Baghdad, Baquba and Kirkuk with Erbil. It closed from 1984 to 1988. It also featured a branch from Jalawla Junction to Khanaqin.
==Other narrow-gauge railways==
{{main article|Narrow-gauge railways in Iraq}}
Multiple narrow-gauge railways were built in Iraq during the First World War and British Mandate times. They were mostly constructed for warfare and logistics with portable track due to resource constraints. Some temporary routes later became the foundation for other railways, like the IRR Eastern. Some war time routes include:
1.Qurna-Amara - 762mm-gauge ({{Convert|70|mi|km|abbr=on}})
2.Basra-Nasiriya - metre-gauge ({{Convert|140|mi|km|abbr=on}})
3.Sheikh Saad-Sinn - 762mm-gauge ({{Convert|24|mi|km|abbr=on}})
4.Baghdad-Radhwaniya 600mm-gauge
5.Baghdad-Mufraz 600mm-gauge
6.Baghdad-Table Mountain 762mm-guage ({{Convert|65|mi|km|abbr=on}})
History
File:Iraqi State Railways poster, c. 1936.png
File:"Nordmenn + tyrkere på stoppested (Taurus)" - DEX FB 0033.jpg, 1940.]]
The first section of railway in what was then the Ottoman Empire province of Mesopotamia was a {{convert|123|km|mi}} length of the Baghdad Railway between that city & Samarra opened in 1914. Work had started northwards from Baghdad with the aim of meeting the section being constructed across Turkey and Syria to Tel Kotchek and an extension northwards from Samarra to Baiji was opened in December 1918.Hughes (1981) p. 87
From 1916 onwards an invading British Military force brought narrow gauge equipment, firstly {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} gauge and later {{RailGauge|1000mm|allk=on}} gauge from India to Southern Mesopotamia to construct various sections of line to support its offensive against the Turks. Britain defeated the Ottomans and Mesopotamia became a League of Nations mandate under British administration. In April 1920 the British military authorities transferred all railways to a British civilian administration, Mesopotamian Railways.Hughes (1981) p. 90
The metre gauge line from Basra to Nasiriyah was the most important section constructed during the war in terms of its significance as part of later efforts to construct a national railway network. Soon after the end of World War I this was extended northwards from Ur Junction outside Nasiriyah up the Euphrates valley with the complete Basra to Baghdad route being opened on 16 January 1920.Hughes (1981) p. 89
The other section of metre gauge line built during World War I that had ongoing significance was that from Baghdad East north eastwards to the Persian border. After the war the eastern end of this line was diverted to Khanaqin and the wartime built line north west from Jalula Junction was extended from Kingerban to Kirkuk in 1925.
In 1932 Iraq became independent from the UK. In March 1936 the UK sold Mesopotamian Railways to Iraq, which renamed the company Iraqi State Railways. Work resumed on the extension of the Baghdad Railway between Tel Kotchek on the Syrian frontier and Baiji. The through route was opened and completed on 15 July 1940. In 1941 the Iraqi State Railways PC class 4-6-2 steam locomotives were introduced to haul the Baghdad–Istanbul Taurus Express on the Baghdad Railway between Baghdad and Tel Kotchek.Hughes (1981) p. 98 From 1941 onwards the UK War Department supplemented ISR's locomotive fleets: the metre gauge with HG class 4-6-0s requisitioned from India{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670530.html|title=Iraq Narrow Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120062949/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670530.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}} and new USATC S118 Class 2-8-2s from the US,{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670522.html|title=Iraq Narrow Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120045842/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670522.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}} and the standard gauge with new LMS Stanier Class 8F 2-8-0s{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670616.html|title=The Restoration & Archiving Trust: Image no. br670616}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} and USATC S100 Class 0-6-0Ts.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670501.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120080214/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670501.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}
In 1947 the Iraq Petroleum Company opened a branch at Kirkuk, which it operated with its own Hudswell Clarke 2-8-4Ts from 1951.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670604.html|title=Iraq Narrow Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120055118/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670604.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670534.html|title=The Restoration & Archiving Trust, Image no. br670534}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} ISR opened a new metre gauge line from Kirkuk to Arbil in 1949. A joint road and rail bridge was opened across the River Tigris in Baghdad in 1950, finally connecting the east and west bank metre gauge systems. ISR added new steam locomotives in the 1950s: 20{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewgrantham.co.uk/iraq/steamlocomotives/|title=Steam locomotives in Iraq - Railways of Iraq|website=www.andrewgrantham.co.uk|date=11 October 2012}} metre gauge 2-8-2s from Ferrostaal of Essen and 10http://www.enuii.org/vulcan_foundry/photographs/locomotives/Publicity/Iraqi%20State%20Railways.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} from Vulcan Foundry{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670415.html|title=Iraq Narrow Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120045422/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670415.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}} in 1953 and 20 more{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/124446949@N06/25678611425/|title=Iraq Railways - Iraqi State Railways 2-8-2 Class Z steam locomotive Nr. 91 (MF Esslingen, 1955/6)|date=10 March 2016 }} from Maschinenfabrik Esslingen{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670436.html|title=Iraq Narrow Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120060127/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/gallery/br670436.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}} in 1955-56 and 2-8-0s from Krupp, plus standard gauge 2-8-0s also from Krupp.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670614.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120070346/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670614.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670619.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120103712/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670619.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}
In 1958 when Iraq's Hashemite monarchy was overthrown and a republic declared, ISR was renamed Iraqi Republic Railways. In 1961 IRR began to replace its standard gauge steam locomotive fleet with diesels from ČKD{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670305.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120052058/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670305.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670310.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120102645/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670310.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670502.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120081229/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670502.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}} and Alco.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670309.html|title=Iraq Standard Gauge Railways photo gallery|date=20 November 2008|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120032133/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/gallery/br670309.html|archive-date=20 November 2008|df=dmy-all}}Hughes (1981) p. 97 In 1972 several classes of steam locomotive were still in service on the standard gauge system,{{cite web|url=http://gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/sg/sg.php|title=World Railways Photograph Catalogue - Restoration & Archiving Trust|website=gwrarchive.org}}{{cite news|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/laversentertainers/sets/72157640082863186|title=Taurus Express 1972|newspaper=Flickr |date=January 1972}} but these were replaced by further classes of diesel from Alstom, Montreal Locomotive Works and MACOSA. IRR did not begin to replace its metre gauge steam locomotives until after 1983.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/ng/ng.php|title=World Railways Photograph Catalogue - Restoration & Archiving Trust|website=www.gwrarchive.org}}
In 1964 IRR extended its standard gauge network with a line from Baghdad to Basrah which opened for freight in 1964 and for passengers in 1968. It has since been extended from Shouaiba Junction to the port of Umm Qasr.
From 1980 until 2003 IRR suffered approximately one billion United States dollars' worth of war and looting damage.{{cite magazine |title=Rebuilding Iraq's ravaged railways |magazine=Railway Gazette International |access-date=9 September 2007 |date=1 March 2004 |author=David White |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/rebuilding-iraqs-ravaged-railways.html |archive-date=10 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610005535/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/rebuilding-iraqs-ravaged-railways.html |url-status=dead}}
Rolling stock
In 1936, the Iraqi State Railways owned 114 locomotives, 8 railcars, 320 coaches and 3,485 goods wagons.{{cite book |title=World Survey of Foreign Railways |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxHLQGfxDa0C&pg=RA17-PA27|year=1936 |publisher=Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.|language=English |page=227}}
=Current (information partly from 2004)=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| align=center|Class
!align=center|Image !align=center|Axle formula !align=center|Number !align=center|Year in service !align=center|Power !align=center|Constructor !align=center|Notes |
|---|
| DHS 101–103BB
| |3 |1986 |600 |Not in service anymoreHaRakevet: Rothschild PhD, Rabbi Walter (March 2005), I.R.R. Diesel loco stocklist. Series 18 issue 68 |
| DHS 111–113BB
| |3 |1973 |600 |
| DHS 121–127BB
| |7 |1982 |600 |
| DHS 131–144
| |14 |2002–2003 |1,000 |
| DHS 151–162
|12 |2004–2005 |1,200 | |
| DEM 2001–2010
| |10 |1963 |1,650 |ČKD |
| DEM 2011–2020
| |10 |1964 |1,650 |ČKD |
| DEM 2101–2105
| |5 |1965 |2,000 |Alco |
| DEM 2201–2220
| |20 |1971 |2,000 |
| DEM 2301–2330
| |30 |1975 |2,000 |
| DEM 2331–2361
| |30 |1976 |2,000 |
| DEM 2401–2455
|55 |1980 |2,000 |
| DEM 2501–2582
| |82 |1983 |2,250 |32711–32720, 32639–32710. Seen in service in 2007. 2559–2561 were formerly dedicated to Saddam Hussein's private passenger train. |
| DEM 2701–2750
|50 |2001 |2,000 |
| DEM 2801–2830
|30 |2004 |2,630 |
| DES 3001–3036
| |36 |1962–1973 |650 |ČKD |
| DES 3101–3200
|100 |1979–1981 |1,100 |ČKD |
| DES 3301–3306
| |6 |2004 |1,200 |
| DEM 4001-11
| |11 |1980 |3,600 |
| DEM 4101-61
| |6 |1980–1982 |3,600 |
| |120px
|DMU |10 |2014 |3,600 |CSR |160 km/h. 10-car long-distance train has two power cars and accommodates up to 343 passengers intended for Baghdad–Basra on the Bagdad–Basra train. |
| colspan = 9|* DHS = Diesel-hydraulic, DEM = Diesel-electric |
=Retired=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| align=center|Class
!align=center|Image !align=center|Axle Formula !align=center|Number !align=center|Year in Service !align=center|Constructor !align=center|Notes |
|---|
| HJ Class
| |203 |1902 | |Originally built for Bengal and North Western Railway. Exported to Iraq in Second World War.{{cite web|url=http://gwrarchive.org/|title=World Railways Photograph Catalogue - Restoration & Archiving Trust|website=gwrarchive.org}} |
| HG Class
| | |1907 | One seen as 132 in 1967. Originally built for Burma Railways. Exported to Iraq later. |
| HG Class
| | |1920 | One seen as 179 in 1967. Originally built for South Indian Railway Company. Exported to Iraq later. |
| HG Class
| | |192 | One seen as 193 in 1967. Originally built for South Indian Railway Company. Exported to Iraq later. |
| HGS Class
| | |1921 |
| NA Class
| | 226 |1920 |Originally built for Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway. Exported to Iraq in Second World War. |
| ?
|? |1912 |One photographed in 1967 on display at Baghdad West Railway station. |
| ?
| |0-4-0VBT |? |1928 | Sentinel |
| PC class
|4 |1941 |Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns |Nos. 501-504. Built in 1940. 504 lost during transport to Iraq. Out of service in 1967. |
| TD Class
|12 |1942 | 143 Sent to Iran after 1941 Anglo-Soviet invasion. Ten were purchased by I.R.R. in 1947, two in 1948. Operated until the seventies. 1 Currently possible disused - abandoned in field near IRR {{coord|33|20|43.20|N|44|21|13.90|E|type:landmark_region:IQ|display=inline}}. Series around 1400. War Department 70746> 1402 |
| SA Class
|5 |1942-'44 |Nos. 1211–1215. In 1967 at least two active. According to some they were used by Palestine Military Railway first. P.M.R. 106 > 423, 165 > 425, 404 > 429, 406 > 430, 434 > 431, 437 > 432, 512 > 438.HaRakevet: Rothschild PhD, Rabbi Walter (September 1989), Palestine Military Railways Ex-LSWR 0-6-0's Series 2 issue 5 |
| V Class
| |0-4-0T | |1910 |One seen as 208 in 1967 on display in Shalchiyah. |
| W Class
| | |1943 |Alco |One seen as 63 in 1967. |
| |
|2-8-4T |3 |1951 |Nos. 1–3. |
| Y Class
| |10 |1953 |One seen as 80 in 1967 |
| Z Class
| | |1956 | One seen as 96. |
=Couplings=
IRR uses Soviet-style SA3 couplers. In order to allow interchange with CFS and Turkish State Railways which both use screw couplers, IRR locomotives and most wagons are equipped with screw couplers and buffers. In Iraqi service the buffers do not make contact and the screw couplings hang down unattached.
Developments
=Iraq–Syria Direct Railway Link=
In October 2011 the English version of Al-Arabiya News reported that a link between Syria and Iraq near the city of Al-Bukamal would begin operations in 2012.
{{cite web
| title = Iraq-Syria rail link to begin operations in 2012
| url = https://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011%2F10%2F23%2F173308
}}
However, the link has not been opened, and though plans for a connecting link between the two countries have been floated for a long time, currently the link is only a plan.
{{ cite web
| title = Iranian delegation in Damascus for Iran-Iraq-Syria railway talks
| work = The New Arab
| url = https://www.newarab.com/news/iranian-officials-damascus-iran-iraq-syria-rail-talks
}}
{{ cite web
| title = Iraq and Syria discuss railway link
| url = https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/iraq-and-syria-discuss-railway-link-n5pgbzws
}}
This route would be more direct than the existing one via the border station at Tall Kushik.
=Iraq–Jordan Direct Railway Link=
In August 2011, the Jordanian government approved the construction of the railway from Aqaba to the Iraqi border (near Trebil). The Iraqis in the meantime started the construction of the line from the border to their current railhead at Ramadi.[http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-13687-construction-begins-on-500km-jordan-iraq-railway/ Construction begins on 500km Jordan-Iraq railway], Construction Week, 24 August 2011
=High-speed Baghdad–Basra line=
{{main|Baghdad–Basra high-speed rail line}}
In 2011, a {{convert|650|km|mi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} {{convert|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} line between Baghdad and Basra was planned, with the Iraqi Railways and Alstom designing the route.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/8597276/Alstom-in-deal-to-build-high-speed-rail-in-Iraq.html |title=Alstom in deal to build high-speed rail in Iraq |date=26 June 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}
It started operations since 2014, and at that time not classified as a true high-speed rail. New trainsets for use on the Baghdad-Basra route were unveiled in China in February 2014 before being shipped to Iraq.{{cite news|title=New Iraqi inter-city train rolled out|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/middle-east/single-view/view/iraqi-inter-city-train-rolled-out.html|access-date=1 March 2014|newspaper=Railway Gazette International|date=25 February 2014|archive-date=2 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302230258/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/middle-east/single-view/view/iraqi-inter-city-train-rolled-out.html|url-status=dead}}
= Iraq–Iran Basra–Shalamcheh line =
In December 2021, Iran and Iraq agreed today to build a railway connecting both countries. The project would connect Basra in southern Iraq to Shalamcheh in western Iran. There are only around 30 kilometers (18 miles) between the two areas. The railway would be strategically important for Iran, linking the country to the Mediterranean Sea via Iraq and Syria's railways.{{Cite web|title=Iran and Iraq again agree to connect their railway networks |publisher=Al-Monitor |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/iran-and-iraq-again-agree-connect-their-railway-networks|access-date=2021-12-29 |date=27 December 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-12-27|title=Iran, Iraq sign Basra-Shalamcheh railway contract|url=https://en.irna.ir/news/84591974/Iran-Iraq-sign-Basra-Shalamcheh-railway-contract|access-date=2021-12-29|agency=IRNA English|language=en}}
Rail links to adjacent countries
- Iran – one link partially under construction and a second link planned
- Khorramshahr, Iran, to Basra, Iraq – under construction (2023)
- Kermanshah, Iran, and the Iraqi province of Diyala – construction commenced.{{Cite web |url=http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0505301394220945.htm |title=Irna |access-date=24 August 2009 |archive-date=26 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426013538/http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0505301394220945.htm |url-status=dead}}
- Jordan – partially constructed – break of gauge {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}}/{{RailGauge|1050mm}} gauge
- Syria – same gauge – at Rabiaa/al-Ya'rubiya
See also
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
=Sources=
- {{Cite book|last=Hughes |first=Hugh |isbn=0-9503469-7-7|year=1981 |title=Middle East Railways |publisher=Continental Railway Circle |pages=87–99}}
External links
{{commons category|Rail transport in Iraq}}
- {{citation|url=http://www.iraqrailways.com |title = Iraq Railways| work = iraqrailways.com}}, general information
- {{citation|url=http://www.ajg41.plus.com/images/iraq/map-of-iraq.pdf |title=Iraq Railway Network |publisher=United Nations Joint Logistics Centre UNJLC |date=22 May 2005 |work=ajg41.plus.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404035103/http://www.ajg41.plus.com/images/iraq/map-of-iraq.pdf |archive-date= 4 April 2007 }}, map of railway routes in Iraq
- {{citation|url = http://www.andrewgrantham.co.uk/iraq/ | title = Railways in Iraq - an unofficial site| work = andrewgrantham.co.uk|author = Andrew Grantham| date = 26 September 2016}}
- {{citation|url = http://www.on-track-on-line.com/foto-iraq.shtml |publisher = On Track on Line |title= Photo Gallery - Iraqi Republic Railways Co.| work=on-track-on-line.com}}
- {{citation| url=http://fuchs-online.com/iraq | title= Rainer's Iraq Railway Stamps Pages| author = Rainer Fuchs| work = fuchs-online.com}}
- {{citation| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065133/http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/iraq.html| url=http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg/Iraq/iraq.html | archive-date = 12 June 2009|title = The Railways of Iraq|publisher = The Restoration & Archiving Trust| work = gwrarchive.org}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJz4Brg1hIY Iraq Railways Photos on YouTube]
- Basic technical specifications of Iraqi [http://orion.math.iastate.edu/jdhsmith/term/sliqisr.htm standard] and [http://orion.math.iastate.edu/jdhsmith/term/sliqisrm.htm metre gauge steam locomotives]
- [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/map.php?file=maps/iraq/iraq.gif Map of Iraq railways in 2009] drawn by Joseph Redford
- [http://www.trains-worldexpresses.com/300/303.htm Taurus Express]—information on passenger trains in Turkey and Iraq from Werner and Hans Soelch's Trains-WorldExpresses site
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/laversentertainers/sets/72157640082863186 Taurus Express 1972]—photos from a trip through Turkey and Iraq in 1972
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/62406743@N05/albums/72157627909406870] Louis Culshaw's photos of MG steam in 1982
{{Asia in topic|Rail transport in}}
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Category:Rail transport in Iraq
Category:Railway companies of Iraq
Category:Government-owned companies of Iraq
Category:Standard-gauge railways in Iraq
Category:Metre-gauge railways in Iraq
Category:2 ft 6 in gauge railways in Iraq