Travelling on the railway

During RAIL’sL visit, we were able to travel on a section of the railway.

We boarded at Moulay Bousselham (near Kenitra), and travelled some 30 km to Bahhara Ouland Ayad. The train, formed of a Colas Rail construction train, was only able to operate at slow speed as lineside fencing had yet to be erected, although the rest of the railway (including the OLE) was in place.

The railway was standard two-track with OLE. Bridges were in place, and we passed over some switches and crossings. High bridges, embankments and sweeping curves all form part of the railway - some of the gradients were particularly steep, although the Belgian locomotive propelling its container wagon had little difficulty in moving its train.

It became clear as night fell that Colas had employed a number of night watchmen to keep an eye on this new infrastructure, to deter thieves after the copper.

The passing train drew the attention of locals - particularly children, as there had been no railway here previously. Many waved as we slowly passed through what was mainly farmland. A few villages were passed, including one where a call to prayer was being made from a minaret.

As night fell, the railway ran alongside the Atlantic Ocean and the main highway. The road was quiet, but the railway was busy with engineering trains and staff beavering away to meet the strict deadlines set by the authorities.