Etihad Rail opens sleeper factory for phase 1

16 October 2012

UAE rail firm decides to manufacture steel tracks near the construction site

As part of the ongoing construction of phase one of Etihad Rail’s network, a sleeper factory has been built and is now fully operational.

Speaking at MEED’s Mena Rail Projects 2012 conference in Abu Dhabi on 16 October, John Lesniewski, director of sales and commercial agreements at Etihad Rail said that rather than transport sleepers or rail tracks, it was decided it was better to manufacture the steel tracks near the construction site.

Drainage systems are currently being constructed, while 240 hopper wagons are being produced by CSR in China. Seven locomotives are being procured.

The civil and tracks contract for the first phase was awarded to a consortium led by Italy’s Saipem in October last year. The first phase of the railway involves building a 265km track between the port of Ruwais and gas fields at Shah and Habshan.

Phase two of the project is currently being tendered.

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