Iranian Railways

[Persan]

Envoy proposes for establishment of Iran-Azerbaijan border railway

TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan, announced on Tuesday that Tehran has proposed for the construction of a railway of 8km length at the borderline of the two countries, ISNA reported.

Naser Hamidi Zare’ added that the railway can boost cargo transition between the two countries from the current 200,000 tons to 1.2 million tons per year. It can also facilitate the cargo transit from Europe and Russia to Iraq up to a great extent.

The railway would bring the two countries enormous revenues. The railway would cut the average land transit distance between Europe and Iraq by 800 kilometers.

[ SOURCE: TEHRAN TIMES | 02.13.2008 ]

[Persan]

Siemens to sell Iran 150 locomotives
TEHRAN TIMES | March 11, 2008

The managing director of Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Company announced on Monday that 25 percent (90 million euros) of the repayment of the $450-million deal with Siemens AG was paid.

Talking to MNA, Hassan Ziari said in 2006 Iran has signed a 450-million-dollar deal with German electronic giant Siemens to build 150 locomotives. The German side vowed to deliver the first train to Iran’s fleet within next 30 months, added that official.

As part of Iran's 10-year railway plan, some 600 locomotives, 200 passenger and 2,000 cargo wagons are required to meet the country's needs, he noted.

Siemens AG is Europe's largest engineering conglomerate. Siemens' international headquarters are located in Berlin and Munich, Germany. The company is a conglomerate of six major business divisions, Automation and Control, Power, Transportation, Medical, Information and Communication, and Lighting.

Beginning from November 28, 2007, Siemens reorganizes its operations in three Sectors Industry, Energy and Healthcare with a total of 15 Divisions.

[asif iqbal]

Originally Posted by Persan

Envoy proposes for establishment of Iran-Azerbaijan border railway

TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan, announced on Tuesday that Tehran has proposed for the construction of a railway of 8km length at the borderline of the two countries, ISNA reported.

Naser Hamidi Zare’ added that the railway can boost cargo transition between the two countries from the current 200,000 tons to 1.2 million tons per year. It can also facilitate the cargo transit from Europe and Russia to Iraq up to a great extent.

The railway would bring the two countries enormous revenues. The railway would cut the average land transit distance between Europe and Iraq by 800 kilometers.

[ SOURCE: TEHRAN TIMES | 02.13.2008 ]

Just 8km can bring so much advantage! what are they waiting for lets get in on

[Persan]

Tender to be held for construction of Iran-Turkmenistan- Kazakhstan railway
IRNA | March 24, 2008

Turkmen news agency reported on Monday that the country will hold a tender for construction of Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan railway tracks. To start construction of the railways connecting the three countries, Turkmenistan will hold a tender in Ashkhabad in the presence of Iran, Turkey, Russia, Japan, China, Kazakhstan and European Union.

Turkmenistan has bought dlrs 166 million worth of equipment for the railway construction from foreign countries. The initial agreement was signed by the Turkmen and Kazakh presidents in May, 2007. However, the final accord was inked by Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states in September, 2007.

Three to five tons of commodities can be transferred via Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan railway and the figure can be raised to 15 tons. The railway length is 900 km of which 700 kms go through Turkmenistan, 90 kms through Iran and the rest through Kazakhstan.

[CityofVillains]

ECO Agrees On China -Pakistan -Iran-Turkey Railway Line Project

ISLAMABAD: The recently convened meeting of ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) has agreed on the CPIT (China-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey) railway line project.

The 4-day meeting of the organization held recently in Islamabad, has reportedly agreed on starting the Pakistan -Turkey railway services through Iran.

Briefing media after the conclusion of the 4-day meeting, about further issues and agreements as finalized by the council, secretary planning commission, Ghiasuddin Ahmad and secretary general ECO, Khurshid Ahmad Anwar informed that all member countries participated in the meeting which deliberated in such important economic issues like planning infrastructure development, trade and investment, Agriculture and livestock, tourism, industry, and minerals, while member countries also deliberated about establishment of a geological databank.

The meeting also discussed mutual means to promote technical expertise among manpower of member countries in order to fill the required needs.

Close coordination with global organizations like World Bank and Islamic Development Bank was also stressed by members in order to fulfill the financial obligations of such projects like basic health, primary and higher education and development, energy supply and infrastructure.

An increase of 15% in mutual trade, from the current 7% between members in the coming 3- 5 years was also agreed upon, while all the participants, which included Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iran expressed their satisfaction over the proceedings which also suggested and agreed to enhance the current trade volume of Rs 38 billion.

A meeting in Turkey has been chalked out for this purpose, which would also focus on issues of problems being faced regarding reduction of tariff, and stressed on speeding work on ongoing feasibility study being prepared by NESPAK and Kyrgiz Technical University regarding ECO power system.

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=125330

[Persan]

Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia hold railway conference
IRNA | March 29, 2008

Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan kicked off tripartite conference on railway cooperation in Tehran on Saturday. The conference is to conduct preliminary survey and studies on running an electronic trains connecting Tabriz, Azarshahr as well as construction of new rail track connecting Ghazvin, Rasht and Astara.

Officials from Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan, taking part in the conference, called for expansion of technical and expertise cooperation to help implement joint venture projects in the country. Managing Director of Iran's Rail Road Hassan Ziyari said that North-South Corridor needs renovation to help boost trade among regional countries. Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan republic are located on North-South Corridor, rail-track reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road.

It is expected to witness landmark progress through formation of expert groups and holding consecutive conferences every six-month, he said.

[Persan]

Tehran fails to attract foreign investors to export rail route
Iran Railways shelves plans for transport link to its neighbours in the east.
MEED | April 04, 2008

Tehran has abandoned plans to begin work on a critical rail link between the port of Chabahar and its eastern neighbours this year, because of a lack of funds. Iran had intended to begin construction on a $700m project to link the southern port with the country's eastern border.

The rail extension would run from Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, to Mashhad, on the border with Turkmenistan, passing close to the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan.The proposal would involve building a 800-kilometre extension to existing sections of track to complete the 1,000km route.

Once complete, the line would provide a critical link for land-locked Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, as well as for the central Asian republics in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). After an initial study, however, the project has stalled, with the national rail operator, Iran Railways, unable to attract interest from foreign investors.

"A preliminary study has been completed but no detailed work has been done," says an industry source who works closely with Iran Railways. "There is not going to be any construction work on that line this year. We have a lot of problems with existing projects and there are not the finances available to begin another on this scale."

The difficulty in raising finance is a familiar one for Tehran. Several major infrastructure projects around the country have stalled, been downgraded, or postponed indefinitely because of a lack of funds. The national rail company has already scaled back plans to develop two high-speed rail links across the country as it has become clear the government will have to finance them itself.

"There is no foreign investment in the railways," says the source. "It is very difficult to attract foreign investment to any major infrastructure projects in Iran at the moment."

Despite the wider problems, Chabahar port is one project that has attracted the interest of foreign companies keen to exploit its location outside the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Ports & Shipping Organisation (PSO) has received a proposal from Dubai's DP World, and Hinduja Group, the Indian conglomerate, for a joint venture to build a container terminal with capacity for 500,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The PSO's five-phase redevelopment plan for the site would bring capacity at the port to six million TEUs by 2030, with a $350m first phase intended to bring capacity to 640,000 TEUs by 2010. Alireza Satei, a board member of the PSO and vice-president for port affairs, says the railway would be a huge benefit to the port, and to Iran's neighbours.

"The railway would help increase efficiency and volume for import and export to Afghanistan and the CIS, but while Iran Rail is looking for foreign investors it will continue to move cargo by road," he says.

The highlighted section is mine. It's pretty sad how the foreign policy of the IRI is scaring away foreign investment in projects other than oil and gas development.

[Persan]

Indian railway delegation to go to Iran
IRNA | April 10, 2008

Indian Railway Board Chairman K C Jena along with two senior officers will travel to Tehran Friday to hold discussions with the Iranian railway officials. The Indian team would inspect the Iranian railway system and meet senior railway officials, including Hassan Ziari, Deputy Minister for Roads and transportation and President of Islamic Republic of Iranian Railway, during its three-day visit from April 12.

The high-level delegation headed by Jena is also slated to visit the railway system at Esfahan in Iran. "Iran wants to expand its rail network with Indian Railway cooperation. RITES has already done a few feasibility studies for Iranian Railway," said the official.

"An MoU with Iranian Railway may be signed at a later stage but at the moment there is no such proposal, said the official. "Iran is also keen to cooperate with Indian Railway in its port connectivity plan," the official said, adding it will accept the offer after examining the financial viability of the proposed projects in Iran.

Iran has about 6,000 km long rail route. Beside Jena, other members of the team are RITES managing director VK Agarwal and general manager A K M Sharma. The growth in economy and business prospects of Indian Railway is fast attracting the attention of foreign railways for investments and new technologies.

Over the past few years, Railways has signed MoUs with Italy, Germany, Russia, South Africa and most recently with China. Indian Railway has carried over 6,000 million passengers in 2007-08 and the target for 2008-09 is over 7,000 million which is among the highest in the world for rail travel. Railways also witnessed a record growth in freight business. It carried 794 million tons of freight in the fiscal 2007-08.

[sinasina]

ye i heard his today, 70 years ago the Germans did our first railways ... now the indians,

[FreeToLove]

Whats wrong with the Indians?

[sinasina]

Originally Posted by FreeToLove

Whats wrong with the Indians?

nothing, but isn't better if japan/German or france helped? since they r expert in this field

[DingoBingo]

Is this the indian railway delegation that is going to come to Iran?

[DingoBingo]

Originally Posted by sinasina

ye i heard his today, 70 years ago the Germans did our first railways ... now the indians,

The germans were about to come and build highspeed trains in Iran. If it wasn't for the whiny german jews and their ignorant chancellor who is a suck up, the deal would have maybe gone through!

[sinasina]

Does any1 know the current average speed of our trains?

[DingoBingo]

I think the fastest one is about 160 km/h

[TEHR_IR]

Hello, wath do you mean will they build the train in Iran or not :s

[Herbicide]

Iran badly needs to electrify the lines and also to make them all double track so we have less of thıs waıtıng ın sıdıngs for other traıns to pass busıness. Anyone who can help wıth thıs at a reasonable prıce should be consıdered as ıts a very expensıve busıness to upgrade or buıld raılway ınfrastructure. German's would put a premıum on theyre expertıse even ıf the Indıans can do the same job for much less.

[Persan]

India, Iran ink MoU on rail cooperation
The Hindu | April 15, 2008

In an effort to boost bilateral ties, India and Iran have inked an MoU for cooperation in the field of railways and start work on the India-Iran-Russia railway line. The agreement apart from initiating the work on the proposed rail line involving India, Iran and Russia will also 'promote a joint effort to increase cooperation with International Union of Railways', a media report said on Tuesday.

Iran also sought India's partnership and cooperation for a new track which will connect the Free Trade Zone of south eastern Chabahar and the city of Fahrej situated in central part of the country, Tehran Times said, adding the agreement will incorporate investment plans for the track. Iran is also keen to cooperate with Indian Railways in its port connectivity plan and will accept the offer after examining the financial viability of the proposed projects in Iran, it said.

The MoU was signed by Indian Railway Board Chairman K C Jena and Hassan Ziari, the managing director of Iran's Railway Company on Sunday. It seems to be a good opportunity for Iran to work with India which is an independent country in producing equipments and tools necessary for building locomotives, Ziari said.

A team of Indian experts will travel to Iran in mid May to discuss the agreements, he added. The agreement also deals with issues of technical training of the personnel, railroad signaling projects, supplying locomotives and spare parts, as well as setting up a joint working group between the two countries.

[Persan]

Chabahar to be connected to national rail network
Tehran Times Brief | April 16, 2008

TEHRAN -- Chabahar Port, in Sistan-Baluchestan southeastern province, will be connected to Iran’s national railroad network through the capital city of Zahedan, deputy Minister of Roads and Transportation Sadegh Afshar said here on Tuesday.

“This project will take 4 or 5 years and we see no obstacle on the way,” he added, Mehr reported.

__________________________________________

13% increase in locomotive production
Tehran Times Brief | April 16, 2008

Iran will reach a 13 percent growth in its locomotive production sector the Railroad Affairs deputy Mohammad Noghani stated here on Tuesday.

“This year (current Iranian calendar year started at March 20, 2008) we plan to utilize our locomotive repair project which initially started a few years ago,” he explained, ISNA reported.

“We also plan to buy 150 locomotives, which these will be added to our railroad fleet over the period of 2 years,” he added.

[Persan]

India to help Iran build a crucial rail link
The Hindu | April 25, 2008

India has agreed to help Iran in constructing a crucial rail link that is also a part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)’s Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) project. “We will be cooperating with the Iranian authorities in developing the 600-km long Chabahar port and Fahraj rail line that will provide India a multi-modal transport corridor to Russia via Iran,” said Railway Board Chairman K.C. Jena.

Mr. Jena, also the Chairman of the Union of International Railway (UIC), was recently in Iran where he met Iran’s Deputy Minister for Roads and Transportation and president of Iran’s national railway ‘Rah Ahan Iran’, Hassan Ziari. “This week, a team of experts from the Indian Railways will be visiting Iran to work out the details and other modalities of the project that would be executed under the ‘build-operate-transfer’ (BOT) basis,” said Mr. Jena.

The Railway Board Chairman said the rail line was vital for the proposed North-South international corridor linking India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia. The corridor envisaged a direct link to St. Petersburg from Fahraj port through Amirabad in Iran and Astrakhan in Russia.

“Since the Chabahar port is close to Gujarat, the Indian Railways can explore utilising the route for multimodal transport of goods to Iran and Russia. Similarly, transporting goods to Afghanistan via Fahraj could be another good option. It will also provide direct access to Europe,” he said. Mr. Jena said the next UIC meeting would be held in Seoul next month and by that time the three countries were likely to sign an agreement on this project.

India was keen on this project as the direct India-Iran rail link was pending for long because of the 545 km-long missing railway line between Iran and Pakistan. Stating that India had also decided to help Iran develop the Chabahar port and Aprin dry port, Mr. Jena said leading Indian consultancy firms including RITES Ltd. and CONCOR were likely to carry out feasibility reports for integrated planning for development of these ports and rail links. Iran had also sought help in laying track, upgrading its train operations, signalling system and electrical work. “India will also help in the launch of the Middle East Railway Academy in Iran under the aegis of the UIC,” he said.