According to the back of this cigarette card, at the time Sudan Railways operated 2,238 miles (3,600 km) of line, single track except at stations. The first section was opened in 1899 during Kitchener's campaign against the Khalifa. Passenger trains with dining and sleeping cars ran twice a week on the main line opened in 1906 between Port Sudan and Khartoum. In 1912 this line was extended another 400 miles to El Obeid. Because of the sun's brightness the trains had blue glass windows.
Today the railways consist of 2,700 miles (4,347 km) in cape gauge and 445 miles (716 km) of 2 ft gauge plantation railways. Despite the recent unrest in the country, international aid is being provided to upgrade and extend the system.
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