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The IRR Western Line, alternatively Baghdad-Qaim/Huseyba-Akashat Railway is a railway line of the Iraqi Republic Railways that connects Akashat and Qaim with Baghdad via Ramadi and Falluja. It is a single-track line that is not electrified. The line is about 520 km (320 mi) long and has a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). The line is one of two Iraqi railways not fully out of service. There is a commuter rail service between Baghdad and Falluja. Due to the bridge over the Euphrates being destroyed services have to end at Falluja[1].
Technical Specifications
editThe Railway Line had a fully automatic relay system since 1986. The Railway Line possessed a network of sound cables that provided connections between the station and the locomotives as well as to other stations. As of October 2018, the signalling and communication systems are both out of service. The Line has five light maintenance workshops at Baghdad, Falluja, Ramadi, Haqlaniya and Akashat and one heavy maintenance factory at Qaim. The track gauge is 1435 millimetres (standard-gauge). The rails have a UIC 60 profile and consist of welded joints. The axel load is 25 tons. The line is 90% damaged, and operators must run the trains more cautiously than ideal, allowing only a top speed of 100 kph.
History
editThe line started construction on the 144 km Akashat-Qaim section with 5 stations in the Summer of 1981 and construction was completed by February 1982. The 376 km long section with 23 stations from Huseyba to Baghdad started construction in November 1982 and was finished by approximately 1987.
Operations and Recent Developments
editA daily commuter rail line is currently spanning the 65-kilometre distance from Baghdad to Falluja. Trains start the trip to the capital at 6:45 am and return at 3:00 pm. On average 250 passengers take the journey from Baghdad to Falluja every day. Tickets are relatively speaking very cheap, even for Iraqi standards with a one-way fair costing 2000 IQD or 1.5 USD. Even though new trains have been bought, the line still doesn't operate the 72 trains a day it did during its heyday[2]. Trains may reach Qaim and Akashat in recent times due to the now possible connection over Baiji, although this route is certainly longer.
References
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