Eritrea October 2009



The 950mm gauge line was constructed between 1887 and 1932 by the Kingdom of Italy for the Italian colony of Eritrea, and connected the port of Massawa with Bishia near the Sudan border. The line was essentially destroyed by warfare in subsequent decades, but has been rebuilt between Massawa and Asmara. There is a shed and workshops at Asmara which still overhaul locomotives. The line is noted for its mant tunnels, viaducts and the serpentine track near to Asmara. The line is used mainly by tour groups of which there are only a few. A short length of track has been laid at the childrens' park in Asmara but appears to be used only when chartered. This is a spectacular line which is well worth a visit.

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Google Earth image of the area East of Asmara, site of the best spirals on the line

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Gradients on the Massawa to Asmara route

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Steam fleet at the time of my visit in October 2009 (courtest Adrian Palmer's guidebook for the trip)

These photographs were taken during a week on the Asmara to Massawa railway in October 2009 organised by Adrian Palmer on behalf of the LCGB/CRC

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Scenery East of Asmara
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Spot the tunnels!
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008 taking water
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008 - maintenance
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One of the many tunnels
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008 on a challenging gradient
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More water!
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008 in picturesque run past
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008
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Breda 0-4-0T no. 002-009 stored at Asmara shed
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Breda 0-4-0T no. 002-011 stored at Asmara shed
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-008
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 letting off steam at Asmara shed
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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55

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View down the spiral

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More tunnels

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Local kids

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 near Massawa

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A pair of Drewry dieswls used for local passenger transport near Massawa

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 on the causway at Massawa

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 on the causway at Massawa

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 on the causway at Massawa with what remained or the presidential palace behind

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55

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Evidence of gun fire!

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More water!

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Pause for maintenance

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Two local forms of transport

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 on one of the many viaducts

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Our on board cooks!

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There must be a better way of refuelling!

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 posing under a bridge

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 ona run past

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55 makes early morning steam

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 442-55

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Ansoldo 0-4-4-0T no. 440-002

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Main street leadng to station!

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No. 442-55 and no. 440-002 and double-heading

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No. 442-55 and no. 440-002 take on water

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No. 440-002 and no. 442-55 ready for departure

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A Littorina at Asmara

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Breda 0-4-0T no. 202-002 at the childrens park - total absence of children!!

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Breda 0-4-0T no. 202-010 stored at Asmara shed

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Breda 0-4-0T no. 202-009 dumped at Asmara shed

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Nos. 442-55, 442-59 and 440-008 line up at Asmara shed

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A littorinella at Asmara

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Breda 0-4-0T no. 202-004 under repair at Asmara works

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Breda 0-4-0T no. 202-008 outside Asmara works

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Example of wildlife in Eritrea!