Chad to join the rail map

[John Ashworth]

From The Railway Magazine, April 2012, p 101

Chad to join the rail map

Construction of what is thought to be Chad's first ever railway was due to begin in February, following agreement, in December, between the Chad government and the China Civil Engineering Corporation.

The four-year plan covers a 1,364 km standard gauge network - to be built to Chinese standards - and suitable for 120 km/h diesel operation, using rolling stock to be supplied from China. Work is expected to take four years.

Two lines are proposed:

- The South line will run 528 km south from the capital, N'Djamena, to Moundou and Koutere on the border with Cameroon, about 250 km from the Cameroon railhead at Ngaoundere.

- The East line will run 836 km east from N'Djamena to Abeche and Adre on the border with Sudan. The easternmost 161 km section (between Abeche and Adre) is scheduled to be completed first. Last year, Sudan and Chad signed an agreement for a 300 km line running through the Marra plateau region of western Darfur to link the Sudanese railhead at Nyala with Chad.