'New Suez Canal on Tracks': Egypt's First High-Speed Electric Rail Line Set for Trial Run
'New Suez Canal on Tracks': Egypt's First High-Speed Electric Rail Line Set for Trial Run
The Ministry of Transport is preparing to launch a trial run—without passengers—for a section of Line 1 of the Sokhna–Alamein–Matrouh high-speed electric train network, the largest smart and sustainable mass transit project in Egypt's history.
Work is proceeding at full pace on sleepers, rails, catenary masts, and electromechanical systems, with sections handed over to the Siemens-Orascom-Arab Contractors consortium.
Key Details:
🟠Scale: The full network spans 2,250 km across four lines with 60 stations; the first three lines (2,000 km) are under construction.
🟠Line 1: Extends 660 km with 21 stations, served by 15 high-speed trains, 34 regional trains, and 14 freight locomotives.
🟠Interchange Hub: Hadaek October Station covers nearly 34,600 sq m with four platforms and connects Line 1 with Line 2 (October–Aswan).
🟠Depot: Spanning 578 feddans with 46 buildings, it is one of the largest maintenance centers in the region and can store up to 50 trains.
🟠Strategic Role: Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir described Line 1 as a "new Suez Canal on tracks," linking the Red Sea and Mediterranean and supporting Egypt's position as a regional transport and logistics hub.
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