It's probably not a part of the world many would want to go to except for business, but it has some long (3 km) ore trains hauled by modern EMD diesels. The Mauritania Railway, opened in 1963, consists of a single, 704 km (437 mile) line linking the iron mining centre of Zouerate with the port of Nouadhibou, via Fderik and Choum.
An article in Railway Gazette International in October 2010 stated:
"Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière has awarded Electro-Motive Diesel a contract to supply six SD70ACS heavy haul diesel locomotives with AC traction motors, the manufacturer announced on 20 October.
To be delivered from late 2011 they will allow the operation of heavier mineral trains through the harsh desert environment on the 700 km route from the mines to the port of Nouadhibou.
Each locomotive will have an isolated and air-conditioned tropical cab featuring a customised roof design to help dissipate heat when operating through desert temperatures of 50°C. They will also feature pulse filtration and movable sand ploughs.
The order will bring the total number of EMD locomotives operating in Mauritania to 44. 'SNIM has one of the most efficient and productive mining operations', said Ramzi Imad, EMD's Regional Director for Middle East & North Africa. 'They operate an all EMD fleet at 97% availability, which is one the highest rates of the North African and Middle East region, and we are proud of our 30-year relationship with SNIM.'
Official website (French)
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