Egypt advances high-speed electric train project

Egypt's Minister of Transport, Kamal al-Wazir, is overseeing the final preparations and finishing works for the first line of the High-Speed Electric Train network. This 660 km line, stretching from Sokhna to Alamein and Matrouh, is being described by the Minister as a ‘new Suez Canal on rails’ due to its strategic importance in connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

During recent inspections, the Minister visited several key locations, including the Hadayek October station, which serves as an exchange hub between the first and second lines, and the Giza exchange station. The Giza station is noted for its advanced engineering design, allowing high-speed trains to pass above existing diesel lines to facilitate seamless passenger transfers.

The project involves a consortium consisting of Siemens, Orascom, and the Arab Contractors, who are currently working on track laying, basalt paving, and overhead electrical systems. A major maintenance workshop covering 578 acres is also under development to manage the operation and maintenance of the fleet, which has a capacity for 50 trains and locomotives. The ministry plans to begin passenger-free trial operations on certain sectors of the first line in the near future.