International Train
The Damascus-Amman International Train commonly referred to International Train is a train service operating on the former Hedjaz Railway from Damascus, Syria to Amman, Jordan. It is currently the only passenger train operating in Jordan. The train operates on narrow gauge tracks of 1,050 mm (3 ft 5 11⁄32 in).
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail |
| Status | Operating |
| Locale | Southern Syria, northern Jordan |
| First service | 1924 |
| Current operator(s) | CFH, HJR |
| Route | |
| Start | Qaddam Station, Damascus |
| End | Central Station, Amman |
| Distance travelled | 222.4 kilometers (138.2 mi) |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| On-board services | |
| Seating arrangements | Coach |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Mavag railcars |
| Track gauge | 1,050 mm (3 ft 5 11⁄32 in) |
| Track owner(s) | CFH, JHR |
History
The Hedjaz Railway opened in 1908 by the Ottoman Empire from Damascus to Medina. Service was suspended during World War I. After the war only the Damascus-Ma'an section re-opened. In 1924, the International Train ran its first trip from Hejaz Train Station in Damascus to Ma'an. Since 1960 the train only ran from Damascus to Amman. Diesel Locomotives became the primary power after 1976.
Gauge
In 2008 it was announced that the HJR and the CFH were planning to convert the line from narrow gauge to standard gauge.
See also
- Hejaz railway
- Syrian Railways, the state railway operation