Libyan Railways
Encyclopedia
There have been no operational railways in Libya since 1965, but various lines existed in the past. An extensive system is now being developed and under construction.
built in Libya
nearly 400 km of railways with 950 mm gauge. The last line the Italians started to create was the Tripoli-Benghazi in summer 1941, but their defeat in World War II
stopped it at the beginning.
A gauge network centred on Tripoli
was opened from 17 March 1912 as part of the Italian occupation campaign. This extended from Tripoli 120 km west to Zuwara, 100 km south to Gharyan and 10 km east to Tajura
.
A (later 950 mm) gauge railway was built east from Benghazi
; the main route was 110 km long to Marj and was opened in stages between 1911 and 1927. Benghazi
also had a 56 km branch to Suluq
opened in 1926.
Military extensions of some 40 km were made from Marj towards Derna in World War II
. This was the final line to close, at the end of 1965.
The standard gauge Western Desert Extension was built from a junction 10 km east of Matruh Egypt
to Tobruk
during WW2 to assist in the Allied defence of the area. In 1942 this 350 km route was completed as part of Allied advance across North Africa. The 125 km Libyan section west of Sollum was removed after closure from 20 December 1946, though the Egyptian Railways Sollum branch still sees occasional freight.
) network. A line parallel to the coast will eventually form part of a North African link between Tunisia
and Egypt
. The section from the border with Tunisia at Ras Ajdir, then via Tripoli to Sirte
was under construction and was planned to open in 2009. China Railway Construction Corporation has contracts to start work in June 2008 on a 352 km route between Sirte
and Khoms, to be finished by 2013. The east-west line will be double track
.
A second line will run 800 km from iron ore deposits at Wadi Shati near Sabha to the steel works and port at Misrata from 2012.
A third line will run 554 km from Sirte
to Benghazi
in the East. In October 2007, RZD submitted a feasibility study for the project, and in 2008 signed a contract to begin construction, which was planned to take 4 years to complete. Work began on 30 August 2008. In August 2010, RZD awarded Ansaldo STS
and SELEX Communications a contract to install signalling, telecoms, power, security and ticketing systems which is expected to take three years. Ansaldo STS and SELEX Communications are also working on signalling on new lines between Sirte and the Tunisian border, and the route to Sabha.
A trans-Saharan line is also planned, running south to Niger
.
Construction has ceased during the 2011 Libyan civil war
.
Co. for supply of locomotives and training of Libyan nationals in operational and maintenance work. The contract includes the import of spare parts and technical assistance. The first shipment will arrive Libya by mid 2009.
History
The Kingdom of ItalyKingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
built in Libya
Italian Libya
Italian Libya was a unified colony of Italian North Africa established in 1934 in what represents present-day Libya...
nearly 400 km of railways with 950 mm gauge. The last line the Italians started to create was the Tripoli-Benghazi in summer 1941, but their defeat in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
stopped it at the beginning.
A gauge network centred on Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
was opened from 17 March 1912 as part of the Italian occupation campaign. This extended from Tripoli 120 km west to Zuwara, 100 km south to Gharyan and 10 km east to Tajura
Tajura
Tajura , also spelt Tajoura, is a city in Libya, in the Tripoli District , on the Mediterranean coast east of Tripoli in the Tripolitania region....
.
A (later 950 mm) gauge railway was built east from Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
; the main route was 110 km long to Marj and was opened in stages between 1911 and 1927. Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
also had a 56 km branch to Suluq
Suluq
Suluq is a town in the Benghazi District of the Cyrenaica region in northeastern Libya. It is located about 53 kilometers to the south-east of Benghazi.-Italian Libya:...
opened in 1926.
Military extensions of some 40 km were made from Marj towards Derna in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This was the final line to close, at the end of 1965.
The standard gauge Western Desert Extension was built from a junction 10 km east of Matruh Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
during WW2 to assist in the Allied defence of the area. In 1942 this 350 km route was completed as part of Allied advance across North Africa. The 125 km Libyan section west of Sollum was removed after closure from 20 December 1946, though the Egyptian Railways Sollum branch still sees occasional freight.
Plans
Beginning in 1998, the Libyan government has been planning for an 3170 km (standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
) network. A line parallel to the coast will eventually form part of a North African link between Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. The section from the border with Tunisia at Ras Ajdir, then via Tripoli to Sirte
Sirte
Sirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
was under construction and was planned to open in 2009. China Railway Construction Corporation has contracts to start work in June 2008 on a 352 km route between Sirte
Sirte
Sirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
and Khoms, to be finished by 2013. The east-west line will be double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
.
A second line will run 800 km from iron ore deposits at Wadi Shati near Sabha to the steel works and port at Misrata from 2012.
A third line will run 554 km from Sirte
Sirte
Sirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
to Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
in the East. In October 2007, RZD submitted a feasibility study for the project, and in 2008 signed a contract to begin construction, which was planned to take 4 years to complete. Work began on 30 August 2008. In August 2010, RZD awarded Ansaldo STS
Ansaldo STS
Ansaldo STS S.p.A. is a multinational technology company which produces signalling and automation systems for use by rail and rapid transit operators. The firm also acts as lead contractor and turnkey provider on new rail developments...
and SELEX Communications a contract to install signalling, telecoms, power, security and ticketing systems which is expected to take three years. Ansaldo STS and SELEX Communications are also working on signalling on new lines between Sirte and the Tunisian border, and the route to Sabha.
A trans-Saharan line is also planned, running south to Niger
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
.
Construction has ceased during the 2011 Libyan civil war
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
.
Rolling stock
On 10 June 2007 a contract was signed with American General ElectricGeneral Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
Co. for supply of locomotives and training of Libyan nationals in operational and maintenance work. The contract includes the import of spare parts and technical assistance. The first shipment will arrive Libya by mid 2009.
2011
- March - China Railway Group suspended work on the 3 projects valued in total at $4.24 billion dollars with $3.55 billion of the project yet to be finished due to the rising violence levels in the Libyan Civil War.
2010
- March - First 14 km of 554 km long Russian RailwaysRussian RailwaysThe Russian Railways , is the government owned national rail carrier of the Russian Federation, headquartered in Moscow. The Russian Railways operate over of common carrier routes as well as a few hundred kilometers of industrial routes, making it the second largest network in the world exceeded...
Sirte - Benghazi track in place. The total track laying is expected to take four years.
2009
- January - China Railway Construction signs contract to build 172 km from TripoliTripoliTripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
to Ras Ajdir
2008
- November - GEGêGê are the people who spoke Ge languages of the northern South American Caribbean coast and Brazil. In Brazil the Gê were found in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Piaui, Mato Grosso, Goias, Tocantins, Maranhão, and as far south as Paraguay....
to supply 15 diesel locomotives.
- 30 August - Russian RailwaysRussian RailwaysThe Russian Railways , is the government owned national rail carrier of the Russian Federation, headquartered in Moscow. The Russian Railways operate over of common carrier routes as well as a few hundred kilometers of industrial routes, making it the second largest network in the world exceeded...
begins work on 554 km SirteSirteSirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
to BenghaziBenghaziBenghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
railway.
- 25 April - Russia to build coastal line from SirteSirteSirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
eastwards to BenghaziBenghaziBenghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
, approximately 500 km. This extends another project to build a 352 km line running from SirteSirteSirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
westwards via Misrata to Khoms.
- China Railway Construction wins $2.6b bids in Libya. A west-to-east coastal railway 352 km from Khoms to SirteSirteSirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
and a south-to-west railway 800 km long for iron ore transport from the southern city Sabha to Misrata.
1998
- Libya signed contracts with Bahne of Egypt and Jez Sistemas Ferroviarios for the supply of crossings and pointwork.
Construction
- CastelverdeCastelverde, LibyaCastelverde, also named Gasr Garabulli , is a town in the Tripoli District , of the Tripolitania region in northwestern Libya....
- Fondugh el-Allus
- Fondugh an-Naqqazah
- Bani HasanBani Hasan, Libya- Transport :It is proposed to be served by a station on the national railway network, under construction in 2009.- External links :*...
- Khoms - coast
- Al Jum'ah
- GharyanGharyanGharyan District or Garian District was one of the districts of Libya. It was located in the northwest part of the country and its capital was Gharyan. Under the 2007 reorganization of districts, it became part of Jabal al Gharbi District....
- SirteSirteSirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
- coast - Sabha - southeast inland
- Misrata - port
External links
- About the Railway Executive Board
- Earthworks 60% complete on first section of Libyan network, Railway Gazette InternationalRailway Gazette InternationalRailway Gazette International is a monthly business journal covering the railway, metro, light rail and tram industries worldwide. Available by annual subscription, the magazine is read in over 140 countries by transport professionals and decision makers, railway managers, engineers, consultants...
January 2001. - History of railways in colonial Libya (in Italian)