Quetta–Taftan Line

{{short description|Main railway line in Pakistan}}

{{One source|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox rail line

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| name = Spezand–Zaheden Railway Line

| other_name = Main Line 4
ML-4
Trans–Baluchistan Railway

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| native_name_lang = ur

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| start = Spezand Junction

| end = Zaheden

| stations = 41

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| open = {{Start date|1905|11|15|df=y}}

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| status = operational

| owner = Pakistan Railways

| operator = Pakistan Railways

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| linelength_km = 732

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| gauge = {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}}

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| speed = {{convert|20|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (Current)

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{{Routemap

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~~km~~

HST\~~0~~Spezand Jn.

HST\~~23~~Wali Khan

HST\~~35~~Kanak

HST\~~47~~Sheikh Wasil

HST\~~71~~Kirdgap

HST\~~97~~Galangur

HST\~~122~~Kishingi

HST\~~133~~Nushki

HST\~~154~~Ahmedwal

HST\~~195~~Pain Mall

HST\~~238~~Padag Road

HST\~~277~~Nok Chah

HST\~~318~~Dalbandin

HST\~~376~~Yakmach

HST\~~446 ~~Azad

HST\~~488~~Nok Kundi

HST\~~513~~Alam Reg

HST\~~534 ~~Tozghi

HST\~~612~~Koh-e-Taftan

STR+GRZq\GRZq~~ ~~{{BSsplit|{{flag|Pakistan|size=15px}}|{{flag|Iran|size=15px}}}} Border

HST\~~638~~Mirjaveh

HST\~~ ~~Khan Muhammad Chah

KBHFe\~~732~~Zahedan

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File:Quetta_Express_Route_Map.png

File:Taftan_in_Iran.png

The Quetta–Taftan Line,{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-11-24 |title=Iran's emphasis on modernizing Quetta-Taftan railway line |url=https://en.irna.ir/news/84554194/Iran-s-emphasis-on-modernizing-Quetta-Taftan-railway-line |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=IRNA English |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=PR No. 66 UP GRADATION OF QUETTA-TAFTAN RAILWAY TRACK CAN OPEN A NEW ERA FOR PAKISTAN RAILWAYS Islamabad |url=https://pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/209 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=pid.gov.pk Press Information Department, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of Pakistan}}{{Cite web |last=Bhutta |first=Zafar |date=2024-01-23 |title=Russia, UAE pledge $1bn investment in railway |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454132/russia-uae-pledge-1bn-investment-in-railway |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-23 |title=Russia, UAE commit $1bn for Pakistan railway sector revitalisation |url=https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/01/23/russia-uae-commit-1bn-for-pakistan-railway-sector-revitalisation/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Profit by Pakistan Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |url=https://islamabad.mfa.ir/en/newsview/659864/irans-emphasis-on-modernizing-quetta-taftan-railway-line |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=islamabad.mfa.ir}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-08-11 |title=Feasibility study of Quetta-Taftan railway track completed: Sheikh Rasheed |url=https://arynews.tv/sheikh-rasheed-quetta-taftan-railway-track-completed/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}} also known as Spezand–Zaheden Railway Line (also referred to as Main Line 4 or ML-4) is one of four main railway lines in Pakistan, operated and maintained by Pakistan Railways. Inward from Pakistan's most western edge, it begins at Spezand Junction and has services that continue beyond Koh-e-Taftan station in high mountains, west. Its length is {{convert|732|km|mi|sp=us}} to the Iranian border, a few kilometers further west of that station. It has ten active stations, of which seven are in Pakistan and three are in Iran. Many or all primary services since 1940 (and 1922 to 1931) terminate on the natural continuation in eastern Iran at the high city of Zahedan, which sees a change of gauge (of track and rolling stock) for accessing the Trans-Iranian Railway. This section is difficult to maintain due to Nushki Desert and Mountain Ranges.