Oman Rail
{{Short description|Railway company of Oman}}
Oman Rail is a railway company responsible for rail transport in Oman. It is owned and operated by the Omani Ministry of Transport.{{cite web|title=Oman's rail strategy gathers steam|url=https://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/analysis/making-tracks-sultanate%E2%80%99s-rail-strategy-continues-evolve|website=Oxford Business Group|accessdate=12 February 2017}} The company is based in Al Qurum, Muscat.{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://www.omanrail.om/contactus.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317062302/http://www.omanrail.om/contactus.html |archive-date=17 March 2016 |accessdate=31 May 2017 |publisher=Oman Rail}}
History
The company was founded in June 2014.{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Kevin|title=2015: a key year for Oman Rail|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/2015-a-key-year-for-oman-rail.html|website=International Rail Journal|accessdate=12 February 2017|language=en-gb}} Oman Rail will be responsible for developing the rail network in the country. Currently Oman Rail intends to link Buraimi on the UAE border with Sohar, as part of the proposed Gulf Railway. The first section was announced to be a {{convert|207|km|abbr=on}}, double-track, standard-gauge line with {{convert|32.4|t|abbr=on}} axle loads and a loading gauge sufficient to accommodate double-stack container trains. Diesel locomotives will run on the line initially, but the plans will provide an option for future electrification.
The next phase of Oman's railway project will be built in two stages. First, an {{convert|11|km|abbr=on}} section will connect the previous line from Hafeet to Ibri. This will be then be extended by {{convert|126|km|abbr=on}} from Ibri to the new economic zone that is proposed to be built. Future plans include extending the network beyond Al Dhahirah, traversing vast expanses of desert in central Oman via Ghabah to Haima, with a southward branch to Al Duqm (and later to Mazyounah on the Yemeni border), and with another branch to Salalah. The final phase of the rail network envisions a south–north line Amal via Al Duqm to Muscat and Sohar.
Passenger trains will operate on the network at speeds of {{convert|220|km/h|abbr=on}}, while freight trains will be limited to a speed of {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Project|url=https://www.omanrail.om/project.html|website=Oman Rail|accessdate=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212164952/https://www.omanrail.om/project.html|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=dead}}
Nabil Al Bimani, Group Chief, Ports and Free Zones at Asyad Groups, stated that the first railway line in Oman would be a cargo line connecting Mangi Al-Shuwaimeh and Al-Duqm linking metal production fields with manufacturers and export sites.{{cite web |title=Oman's rail project to become a reality |url=https://timesofoman.com/article/620125 |website=Times of Oman |accessdate=29 March 2019 |language=English |date=18 December 2018}}
In April 2024, Oman Rail and the UAE's Etihad Rail announced a new joint venture, Hafeet Rail, that will construct {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}} of new railway to connect Abu Dhabi, UAE with Sohar, Oman.https://www.railway.supply/en/construction-of-the-hafeet-rail-railway/
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Oman}}
- [http://www.omanrail.om/ Official website]
Category:2014 establishments in Oman
Category:Railway companies established in 2014
Category:Companies based in Muscat, Oman