The first railway in Nauru opened in 1907. It was a 2ft (610mm) gauge line, about 4km in length, serving the phosphate mining industry. The line was converted to 3ft (914mm) gauge in 1920. There are no passenger services.
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One of the steam locomotives of the original
2ft gauge phosphate railway on Nauru |
Since the early 21st century the phosphate industry has been in decline and the future of the railway is uncertain. However, the line was definitely operating as recently as 2008, and current estimates of phosphate reserves for primary and secondary mining suggest that operations will continue until at least 2015.
One of the steam locomotives and several wagons of the original 2ft gauge line are preserved as a static, open air exhibit.
© 2005-2011
Glyn Williams
Photo image © Philip Game
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
