Azerbaijan State Railway
Encyclopedia
"Azerbaijan Railways" Closed Joint-Stock Company is the national state-owned rail transport
operator
in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The 2932 km (1,821.9 mi), gauge
network is electrified
at 3 kV
(3,000 V
) DC
. The headquarters of the Azerbaijan Railways is in the capital Baku
.
The Azerbaijan Railways is one of the successors of the Soviet Railways, which was the successor of the Russian Imperial Railways.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union
in 1991 its railway system broke up into national railway systems of various former Soviet republics from which the independent Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Railways emerged that year.
The first railway line in Azerbaijan was laid in 1878 and was opened in 1880 in the suburbs outside Baku.
There are 2932 km (1,821.9 mi) kilometers of rail tracks out of which 72% or 2117 km (1,315.4 mi) kilometers are single track and 28% or 815 km (506.4 mi) kilometers are double tracks.
Of the total exploitation length of route 43% or 1272 km (790.4 mi) are electrified.
About 38% of the length of the railway routes or 1126 km (699.7 mi) are equipped with full automatic blocks and 16% or 479 km (297.6 mi) are equippedwith centralized dispatchers.
The railway has 176 stations, 2 of which Biləcəri (in Baku) and Şirvan are completely automated, 12 stations have container courts with adapted mechanisms and machines, 3 stations – Keşlə (in Baku), Gəncə
and Xırdalan are able to supply high cargo containers.
Of the total exploitation length of route 72% or 2117 km (1,315.4 mi) are in common carrier service and does not include industrial lines.
Much of the railway track and rolling stock is in need of repair or replacement. However with the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, a regional rail link project that will directly connect Turkey, Georgia
and Azerbaijan
and is currently under construction, the railway lines are being modernised in Azerbaijan with the latest technology and brand new and fast rail stock will be added and will replace the old rail stock which are still in service. The freight market share of the railways are also expected to rise rapidly with completion of the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway in 2010.
The total length of the Azerbaijan Railways ranks 57 in country comparison to the world.
was laid in 1878 and was opened in 1880 within the suburban range of Baku
, which led from Sabunçu
to Suraxanı, today situated within the city of Baku. The track width corresponded to the Russian
gauge
.
The first long-distance railway line was opened in 1883, which led from Baku to Tbilisi
in Georgia
.
In 1900 railway lines were opened which connected Baku
via Biləcəri with Derbent
and Petrovsk (Makhachkala
) in Dagestan
and thus connected Azerbaijan with the rest of the Russian Empire (and later the Soviet Union).
In 1908 with extension of the railway line from Ararat
in Armenia to Şərur and Julfa in the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, this part of Azerbaijan was connected with Armenia.
Thus the development of the Azerbaijani Railway was for the time being considered final.
Due to the availability of electricity from the vast water power sources of Azerbaijan, the very early electrification
of the railway lines of Azerbaijan began.
In 1926 with the electrifcation with 1,2 kV (1,200 V) direct current of the railway line between Baku and Sabunçu, it became the first electrically operated railway line of the Soviet Union. Later electrifications took place with 3 kV (3,000 V) direct current.
In 1924 the railway line was extended southwards to Ələt and Neftçala
.
In 1941 the railway line was extended from Horadiz
and Mincivan
through Armenia including a railway line extension to Kapan
, to Julfa in the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan. Thus the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan was finally connected with Azerbaijan proper.
In 1941 the railway line was also extended southwards to Astara, Azerbaijan
at the southern border with Iran.
In 1944 the railway line was extended to Kətəlparaq, Ağdam
and Stepanakert (Xankəndi).
Until 1991 the railway traffic was operated in Azerbaijan by the Soviet Railway under supervision of the Soviet Traffic Ministry. The Azerbaijani branch of the Soviet Railways was divided into three departments of Baku, Gəncə and Nakhchivan City.
Due to the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh
region in Azerbaijan, the railway service in the Armenian occupied areas of Azerbaijan including Nagorno-Karabakh as well as international railway traffic to Armenia has been cut. Thus also no railway traffic exists to the Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan which is divded from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenia, but is not under Armenian occupation. The railway traffic into Iran which is only via Nakhchivan is likewise cut. Dut to this, international railway traffic between Azerbaijan and Iran is continuing only with Nakhchivan. International railway traffic also exists with the Russian Railways
and the Georgian Railway
and is schedulded with the Turkish State Railways
via Georgia from 2012 onwards.
In freight traffic, the exportation of oil from the oil wells from Baku at the Caspian Sea
to the Georgian port of Batumi
at the Black Sea
, forms an important share of the rail transport in Azerbaijan
.
The freight market share of the Azerbaijan State Railway was 21% in 1999.
In 2009 the closed joint-stock company "Azerbaijan Railways" (Azәrbaycan Dәmir Yolları Qapalı Səhmdar Cəmiyyəti, "ADY" QSC) - the national operator of the railway network in Azerbaijan with 100% state capital, was founded on the basis of the Azerbaijan State Railways, functionally replacing it.
The Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, is a regional railway project to directly connect Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012. Although no additional railway lines will be added in Azerbaijan itself, as this section in Azerbaijan is already double track and electrified, the railway lines will be modernised with the latest technology and brand new and fast rail stock will be added and will replace the old rail stock which are still in service. The freight market share of the railways are also expected to rise rapidly with completion of the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway.
Georgia - gauge - also new standard gauge
link to Turkey (under construction - due to be completed in 2012).
Iran - break-of-gauge
- .
Turkey - no link - break-of-gauge
- also new standard gauge
via Georgia (under construction - due to be completed in 2012).
Armenia - gauge - closed for political reasons.
) and environmental problems delayed the project, which was originally to be completed by 2010 but is now scheduled for completion by 2012.
and Russian Railways
agreed on implementing the project to build a new line between Qazvin
, Resht, and Astara, Iran
with Astara, Azerbaijan
which would link with the railnetwork of Azerbaijan and also Russia. A standard gauge
connection to the Iranian railway network along the shore of the Caspian Sea
is planned. This break of gauge station is likely to be equipped with bogie exchange
and SUW 2000
variable gauge axle
track gauge changing facility.
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
operator
Railway company
A railway company or railroad company is an entity that operates a railroad track and/or trains. Such a company can either be private or public...
in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The 2932 km (1,821.9 mi), gauge
Rail gauge
Track gauge or rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the heads of the two load bearing rails that make up a single railway line. Sixty percent of the world's railways use a standard gauge of . Wider gauges are called broad gauge; smaller gauges, narrow gauge. Break-of-gauge refers...
network is electrified
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
at 3 kV
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
(3,000 V
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
) DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
. The headquarters of the Azerbaijan Railways is in the capital Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
.
The Azerbaijan Railways is one of the successors of the Soviet Railways, which was the successor of the Russian Imperial Railways.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1991 its railway system broke up into national railway systems of various former Soviet republics from which the independent Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Railways emerged that year.
The first railway line in Azerbaijan was laid in 1878 and was opened in 1880 in the suburbs outside Baku.
There are 2932 km (1,821.9 mi) kilometers of rail tracks out of which 72% or 2117 km (1,315.4 mi) kilometers are single track and 28% or 815 km (506.4 mi) kilometers are double tracks.
Of the total exploitation length of route 43% or 1272 km (790.4 mi) are electrified.
About 38% of the length of the railway routes or 1126 km (699.7 mi) are equipped with full automatic blocks and 16% or 479 km (297.6 mi) are equippedwith centralized dispatchers.
The railway has 176 stations, 2 of which Biləcəri (in Baku) and Şirvan are completely automated, 12 stations have container courts with adapted mechanisms and machines, 3 stations – Keşlə (in Baku), Gəncə
Ganja, Azerbaijan
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
and Xırdalan are able to supply high cargo containers.
Of the total exploitation length of route 72% or 2117 km (1,315.4 mi) are in common carrier service and does not include industrial lines.
Much of the railway track and rolling stock is in need of repair or replacement. However with the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, a regional rail link project that will directly connect Turkey, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
and Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and is currently under construction, the railway lines are being modernised in Azerbaijan with the latest technology and brand new and fast rail stock will be added and will replace the old rail stock which are still in service. The freight market share of the railways are also expected to rise rapidly with completion of the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway in 2010.
The total length of the Azerbaijan Railways ranks 57 in country comparison to the world.
Russian Imperial Railways 1878-1917
The first railway line in Azerbaijan then belonging to the Russian EmpireRussian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
was laid in 1878 and was opened in 1880 within the suburban range of Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, which led from Sabunçu
Sabunçu
Sabunçu or Sabunchu or Sabyncha or Sabynchy or Sabunchy may refer to:* Sabunçu, Baku, Azerbaijan* Sabunçu, Zaqatala, Azerbaijan* Sabunçu raion, Azerbaijan...
to Suraxanı, today situated within the city of Baku. The track width corresponded to the Russian
Russian gauge
In railway terminology, Russian gauge refers to railway track with a gauge between 1,520 mm and . In a narrow sense as defined by Russian Railways it refers to gauge....
gauge
Rail gauge
Track gauge or rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the heads of the two load bearing rails that make up a single railway line. Sixty percent of the world's railways use a standard gauge of . Wider gauges are called broad gauge; smaller gauges, narrow gauge. Break-of-gauge refers...
.
The first long-distance railway line was opened in 1883, which led from Baku to Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
in Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
In 1900 railway lines were opened which connected Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
via Biləcəri with Derbent
Derbent
Derbent |Lak]]: Чурул, Churul; Persian: دربند; Judæo-Tat: דארבּאנד/Дэрбэнд/Dərbənd) is a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, close to the Azerbaijani border. It is the southernmost city in Russia, and it is the second most important city of Dagestan...
and Petrovsk (Makhachkala
Makhachkala
-Twin towns/sister cities:Makhachkala is twinned with: Sfax, Tunisia Siping, China Spokane, United States Vladikavkaz, Russia Yalova, Turkey Ndola, Zambia-See also:*...
) in Dagestan
Dagestan
The Republic of Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea...
and thus connected Azerbaijan with the rest of the Russian Empire (and later the Soviet Union).
In 1908 with extension of the railway line from Ararat
Ararat, Armenia
Ararat is a city in Armenia in the province of Ararat, about 42 km northwest of Yerevan.The Ararat Cement Factory has been opened in 1927 along with small apartments to accommodate the workers. In 1935, it was incorporated with the village of Davalu. In 1939 the town of Ararat was officially...
in Armenia to Şərur and Julfa in the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, this part of Azerbaijan was connected with Armenia.
Thus the development of the Azerbaijani Railway was for the time being considered final.
Soviet Railways 1917-1991
After the collapse of the Russian Empire and the Russian Revolution the country was transformed into the Soviet Union and the Russian Imperial Railways into the Soviet Railways.Due to the availability of electricity from the vast water power sources of Azerbaijan, the very early electrification
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
of the railway lines of Azerbaijan began.
In 1926 with the electrifcation with 1,2 kV (1,200 V) direct current of the railway line between Baku and Sabunçu, it became the first electrically operated railway line of the Soviet Union. Later electrifications took place with 3 kV (3,000 V) direct current.
In 1924 the railway line was extended southwards to Ələt and Neftçala
Neftçala
Neftçala is a city in and the capital of the Neftchala Rayon of Azerbaijan. In the city, there is palace of culture, regional study museum and gallery museum.-External links:*...
.
In 1941 the railway line was extended from Horadiz
Horadiz
Horadiz is a city and municipality in the Fizuli Rayon of Azerbaijan. It has a population of 3,950....
and Mincivan
Mincivan, Zangilan
Mincivan, in Armenian Midzhnavan is a village in the Zangilan Rayon of Azerbaijan. Its population as of 2008 is 6,645.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
through Armenia including a railway line extension to Kapan
Kapan
-Notable landmarks:*Vahanavank monastery*Baghaberd and Halidzor Fortresses.*Tatev Monastery - This monastery, situated northwest of Kapan was founded in the ninth century in the place of an ancient tabernacle well-known in ancient times...
, to Julfa in the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan. Thus the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan was finally connected with Azerbaijan proper.
In 1941 the railway line was also extended southwards to Astara, Azerbaijan
Astara, Azerbaijan
Astara, also, Azerbaycan Astarasi is a city in and the capital of the Astara Rayon of Azerbaijan. Astara is a short walk across the border from Astara, Iran.- The TV Tower :There is a 243.9 metre tall lattice steel TV tower, built in 1981...
at the southern border with Iran.
In 1944 the railway line was extended to Kətəlparaq, Ağdam
Agdam
Agdam or Ağdam or Aghdam may refer to:*Agdam city, Azerbaijan*Agdam Rayon, Azerbaijan*Ağdam, Khojavend, Azerbaijan*Ağdam, Tovuz, Azerbaijan...
and Stepanakert (Xankəndi).
Until 1991 the railway traffic was operated in Azerbaijan by the Soviet Railway under supervision of the Soviet Traffic Ministry. The Azerbaijani branch of the Soviet Railways was divided into three departments of Baku, Gəncə and Nakhchivan City.
Azerbaijan Railways (Azərbaycan Dəmir Yolları) 1991-
With the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991, the Azerbaijan State Railways (Azərbaycan Dövlət Dəmir Yolları) was formed the same year.Due to the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
region in Azerbaijan, the railway service in the Armenian occupied areas of Azerbaijan including Nagorno-Karabakh as well as international railway traffic to Armenia has been cut. Thus also no railway traffic exists to the Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan which is divded from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenia, but is not under Armenian occupation. The railway traffic into Iran which is only via Nakhchivan is likewise cut. Dut to this, international railway traffic between Azerbaijan and Iran is continuing only with Nakhchivan. International railway traffic also exists with the Russian Railways
Russian Railways
The Russian Railways , is the government owned national rail carrier of the Russian Federation, headquartered in Moscow. The Russian Railways operate over of common carrier routes as well as a few hundred kilometers of industrial routes, making it the second largest network in the world exceeded...
and the Georgian Railway
Georgian Railway
Georgian Railway LLC is the national rail company of the country of Georgia.A vital artery linking the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, it sits on the shortest route between Europe and Central Asia...
and is schedulded with the Turkish State Railways
Turkish State Railways
The State Railways of the Turkish Republic or TCDD is the government owned, national railway carrier in the Republic of Turkey, headquartered in Ankara...
via Georgia from 2012 onwards.
In freight traffic, the exportation of oil from the oil wells from Baku at the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
to the Georgian port of Batumi
Batumi
Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. Sometimes considered Georgia's second capital, with a population of 121,806 , Batumi serves as an important port and a commercial center. It is situated in a subtropical zone, rich in...
at the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
, forms an important share of the rail transport in Azerbaijan
Transport in Azerbaijan
The transport in Azerbaijan involves air traffic, waterways and railroads. All transportation activities in Azerbaijan except for oil and gas pipelines are regulated by the Ministry of Transportation of Azerbaijan Republic....
.
The freight market share of the Azerbaijan State Railway was 21% in 1999.
In 2009 the closed joint-stock company "Azerbaijan Railways" (Azәrbaycan Dәmir Yolları Qapalı Səhmdar Cəmiyyəti, "ADY" QSC) - the national operator of the railway network in Azerbaijan with 100% state capital, was founded on the basis of the Azerbaijan State Railways, functionally replacing it.
The Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, is a regional railway project to directly connect Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012. Although no additional railway lines will be added in Azerbaijan itself, as this section in Azerbaijan is already double track and electrified, the railway lines will be modernised with the latest technology and brand new and fast rail stock will be added and will replace the old rail stock which are still in service. The freight market share of the railways are also expected to rise rapidly with completion of the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway.
International Railway Links with Neighboring Countries
Russia - gauge.Georgia - gauge - also new standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
link to Turkey (under construction - due to be completed in 2012).
Iran - break-of-gauge
Break-of-gauge
With railways, a break-of-gauge occurs where a line of one gauge meets a line of a different gauge. Trains and rolling stock cannot run through without some form of conversion between gauges, and freight and passengers must otherwise be transloaded...
- .
Turkey - no link - break-of-gauge
Break-of-gauge
With railways, a break-of-gauge occurs where a line of one gauge meets a line of a different gauge. Trains and rolling stock cannot run through without some form of conversion between gauges, and freight and passengers must otherwise be transloaded...
- also new standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
via Georgia (under construction - due to be completed in 2012).
Armenia - gauge - closed for political reasons.
2007
- On February 7, 2007 an agreement was signed for the construction Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railwayKars-Tbilisi-Baku railwayThe Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, or Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway, is a regional rail link project to directly connect Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan...
.
- On September 12, 2007, Musa Panahov, the Deputy Minister of Transport of Azerbaijan, announces that construction on the BakuBakuBaku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
-Tiblisi-KarsKarsKars is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. The population of the city is 73,826 as of 2010.-Etymology:As Chorzene, the town appears in Roman historiography as part of ancient Armenia...
railway will begin in October. Construction is budgeted at $United States dollarThe United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
200 million, of which $50 million has been allocated from the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ).
- On November 21, 2007, the presidents of Azerbaijan - Ilham AliyevIlham AliyevIlham Heydar oglu Aliyev is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee...
, Georgia - Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil SaakashviliMikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
, and Turkey - Abdullah GülAbdullah GülDr. Abdullah Gül, GCB is the 11th and current President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. He previously served for four months as Prime Minister from 2002-03, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003-07....
inaugurated the construction of the railway at a groundbreaking ceremony at the MarabdaMarabdaMarabda is a town in Georgia, located some 23 km south of the capital Tbilisi, and a few kilometers north of Marneuli.- Transport :Marabda is served by a Georgian Railway station on the Tbilisi–Gyumri line, 23 km south of Tbilisi Junction...
junction south of Tbilisi, and the first rails were planned to be laid in April 2008.
2008
The Russian-Georgian-Ossetian conflict (2008 South Ossetia war2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
) and environmental problems delayed the project, which was originally to be completed by 2010 but is now scheduled for completion by 2012.
2009
On 14, 2009, Azerbaijan Railways, Islamic Republic of Iran RailwaysIslamic Republic of Iran Railways
The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways is the national state-owned railway system of Iran. is an associate of the IR and manages its passenger trains including international trains between Tehran and Istanbul and Tehran and Damascus...
and Russian Railways
Russian Railways
The Russian Railways , is the government owned national rail carrier of the Russian Federation, headquartered in Moscow. The Russian Railways operate over of common carrier routes as well as a few hundred kilometers of industrial routes, making it the second largest network in the world exceeded...
agreed on implementing the project to build a new line between Qazvin
Qazvin
Qazvin is the largest city and capital of the Province of Qazvin in Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 349,821, in 96,420 families....
, Resht, and Astara, Iran
Astara, Iran
- People :* Religion: Mostly Islam Shi'a Islam* Ethnic groups:90% Azerbaijani, 5% Talysh, 5% other:Persian, Kurd, Russian * Language: Azeri, Persian, Talysh language- Famous people from Astara :* Ebrahim Nabavi - Iranian journalist...
with Astara, Azerbaijan
Astara, Azerbaijan
Astara, also, Azerbaycan Astarasi is a city in and the capital of the Astara Rayon of Azerbaijan. Astara is a short walk across the border from Astara, Iran.- The TV Tower :There is a 243.9 metre tall lattice steel TV tower, built in 1981...
which would link with the railnetwork of Azerbaijan and also Russia. A standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
connection to the Iranian railway network along the shore of the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
is planned. This break of gauge station is likely to be equipped with bogie exchange
Bogie exchange
Bogie exchange is a system for operating railway wagons on two or more gauges to overcome difference in the track gauge. To perform a bogie exchange, a car is converted from one gauge to another by removing the chassis containing the wheels and axles of the car, and installing a new chassis with...
and SUW 2000
SUW 2000
SUW 2000 is a type of variable gauge system that allows a train to travel across a railway break-of-gauge.The SUW 2000 design is manufactured by Polish company ZNTK Poznań for Polish State Railways...
variable gauge axle
Variable gauge axles
A variable gauge system allows railway vehicles in a train to travel across a break of gauge caused by two railway networks with differing track gauges....
track gauge changing facility.
See also
- AzerbaijanAzerbaijanAzerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
- Transport in Azerbaijan
- Chingiz IldyrymChingiz IldyrymChingiz Sultanov Ildyrym oglu better known as Chingiz Ildyrym, was a Bolshevik revolutionary, innovator and the first People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs of Azerbaijan after occupation of Azerbaijan by 11th Red Army on April 28, 1920.-Early life:Ildyrym was born to the family of a...
