The first railway in Iraq opened in 1914 between Baghdad and Samarra, a distance of 120km. This was the first section in present day Iraq of the much delayed Baghdad Railway, intended to connect that city with Istanbul, and authorised by the Ottoman government at the turn of the century. It was built to standard (1435mm) gauge. Subsequent expansion covered most of the main populated areas of Iraq (notably the river valleys of Mesopotamia) at this gauge at at metre gauge. Some of the metre gauge lines were converted to standard gauge in the 1980s, while the remainder were abandoned.
By the beginning of the 21st century, Iraqi Railways were much run down. Some 1700km of the standard gauge network remained in use, including the original Baghdad Railway connecting with the rail network of Syria, and through Syria to Turkey.
War devastated this remaining network and recovery took a number of years. However, the majority of the lines are now operational again and the rail network is seen as economically important for the country, with proposals in hand for modernisation and extension.
© 2004-2012
Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
