Egypt - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

Note: The following entries are based on reports of travel as long ago as 2007 which appeared in Branch Line News in June 2016 - BLS members can find the article in e-BLNI 1258. Even the usually helpful Fahrplancenter site has failed to come up with any useful information about Egyptian National Railways. More recent reports of whether or not the following services still operate would be welcomed....

Obscure services

Alexandria avoiding line: Abis - Murharram Bey EG1

This ca. 2km link was used in summer only (mid June - mid September) by direct daily daytime trains Cairo - Mersa Matruh and a thrice weekly sleeper.

Tanta avoiding line EG2

This is a long curve connecting the line from Muhallet Ruh with the Cairo main line. Most trains reversed at Tanta but one daily train ran southbound via the curve: 0510 Kafr el Sheikh - Cairo. There was no balancing northbound working.

Aswan EG3

Two terminii existed - the longer distance trains, some associated with boats to Wadi Halfa, ran to the large terminus with marbled floor at El-Sadd-el-Aali. However, trains operating local services veered to the west as they approached the northern periphery of that station and called at a rather anonymous halt where the service nominally ended, although all trains continued a further 500metres to a runround loop.

Sparse services

None known.

Deletions since last edition

None.