Cambodia tests trains

 PHNOM PENH, 3 January 2013: Cambodia has started testing cargo train operations from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Passenger services will have to wait until a later phase.

Phnom Penh Post, Wednesday, reported that temporary train services were operating on the rail line from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville since last Friday.

Public Works and Transportation minister, Tram Iv Tek, said the new railway will help to reduce congestion on the road to the seaport at Sihanoukville. It will cut road damage, accidents, pollution and transportation costs.

Trains will operate under test conditions to assess and resolve any technical issues. They will run at about 60 kph, but  ultimately passenger trains should reach speeds of around 70 to 80 kph, once they are introduced possibly in 2014.

The rail line from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville covers 264 km. The 386 km “Northern Line”, that will link Phnom Penh to Poipet where it will connect with Thailand’s rail network at Aranyapathet should open between 2014 to 2015 but also in phases.

Cambodia has outsourced all of its railway operations under a 30-year concession to Toll (Cambodia) Company (Trading as Toll Royal Railway).

Asian Development Bank and AusAID  provide loans and grants for the US$140 million network and infrastructure upgrade. It includes the South Line (264 Km) from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, the North Line (386 km) from Phnom Penh to Poipet (line rehabilitation) and the Missing Link (48 km) from Poipet to Sisophon (line reinstatement).

Also included in the funding is the construction of a new freight terminal on the outskirts of Phnom Penh (Samrong).

Toll Royal Railway rehabilitated 10 1200Hp Alstom locomotives and has two new 1300Hp Chinese locomotives, two car diesel passenger trains and over 100 freight wagons.