The first railway in Uzbekistan reached Samarqand in 1888 by a bridge over the Amu Darya river from Chardzhou (present day Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan). Uzbekistan was then part of the Transcaspia province of the Russian Empire, and the line was built to Russian standard gauge of 1524mm (later 1520mm), as were subsequent lines in the country.
On the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan had international connections with Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. As a result of border disputes, the links with Turkmenistan were closed for several years in the early 20th century. The link with Kyrgystan closed around 2010 and is believed not to have reopened.
A short international link with Afghanistan was opened by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, but closed on the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The link was reinstated in 2001, and is being extended on the Afghan side of the border.
© 2004-2011
Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
