United Arab Emirates

Country Details

National Railway System

National Railway Operator

Etihad Rail was established in June 2009 to manage the construction and operation of the UAE's national rail network. As far as is known, no passenger service has yet started although this is intended. However, a test passenger train ran between Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah on 26 January 2024.

Maps

Printed Maps

World Rail Atlas - The Middle East and Caucasus by Neil Robinson.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

Etihad Rail

Network Statement

None known

Gauge

1435 mm (4 foot 8 +1⁄2 inch) Standard.

Electrification

Dubai Metro - 750 V d.c. third rail.

Dubai Tram - 750 V d.c. ground level power supply.

Rule of the road

Single track

Distances

900 km in operation; planned length 2000 km.

Other Railways

None

Tourist Lines

None

Metro and light rail systems

See UrbanRail for basic Dubai metro and tram system diagrams.

Recent and Future Changes

Recent Changes

Etihad Rail stage one, from Ruwais to inland gas fields of Liwa and Shah, became operational, for freight, in January 2016. Stage two; reaching Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia and Fujairah Port, on the UAE eastern coast, opened on 28 February 2023, making the total network some 900 km.

Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

None known.