Editing Transport in Iraq (section)

== Railways ==
{{main|Iraqi Republic Railways}}

''total:''
2,272&nbsp;km
<br>''standard gauge:''
2,272&nbsp;km {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}}

For more than two decades there have been plans for building a [[rapid transit|metro]] system in [[Baghdad]]. It is possible that part of the [[tunnel]]s have been built, but that they are now used for military, shelter, hiding, and escaping purposes. U.N. inspectors have heard of the tunnels for years, but have not found their entrances. [https://web.archive.org/web/20030223042330/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/21/60minutes/main541565.shtml?cmp=EM8707] [http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050923225412/http://osamuabe.infoseek.livedoor.com/subway/mappage/constmap/baghdad.jpg map] [http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/declassdocs/dia/19961031/961031_950719_22010825_93a.html] [http://english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/27/42583.html]  In November, 2008, an overground service dubbed the [[Baghdad Metro]] began service. Local government in Baghdad is arranging feasibility studies for the construction of two new underground lines<ref name="urban rail 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/urban-rail-progress-in-najaf-and-baghdad.html
|access-date=21 July 2010
|title=Railway Gazette: Urban rail progress in Najaf and Baghdad
}}</ref>

A 37&nbsp;km monorail is planned in Najaf, which would link three Shi'ite holy sites.<ref name="urban rail 1" />

The first [[Iraqi Republic Railways]] train to [[Basra]] since the overthrow of [[Saddam Hussein]]'s regime arrived on 26 April 2003.  British troops hope to use the 68&nbsp;km long railway to transport much-needed aid supplies from the port town of [[Umm Qasr]] to Basra.

In June 2011, it was announced that planning had begun for a new [[Baghdad–Basra high-speed rail line|high-speed rail line]] between Baghdad and Basra, with a [[memorandum of understanding]] with [[Alstom]] having been signed.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13909905 | title=Iraq: France's Alstom signs high-speed rail line deal | publisher=BBC News | date=24 June 2011 | access-date=27 June 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627032731/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13909905 | archive-date=27 June 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Maps===
* [http://www.unhcr.org/publ/PUBL/3dee2c850.pdf UNHCR Atlas Map]
* [https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/iraq.pdf UN Map]

===Railway links with adjacent countries===
All adjacent countries generally use {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}}, but may vary in [[Railway coupling|couplings]]. Neighbours with electrified railways – Turkey and Iran – both use the world standard [[25kVAC|25 kVAC]]

* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Transportation in Turkey|Turkey]] – via Syria
* {{flagicon|Iran}} [[Transportation in Iran|Iran]] – one link partially under construction and a second link planned
** [[Iraqi Republic Railways#Iraq-Iran Basra-Shalamcheh line|Iraq-Iran Basra-Shalamcheh line]] – almost complete (2006)
** [[Kermanshah]], [[Iran]], and the Iraqi province of [[Diyala Governorate|Diyala]] – construction commenced. {{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
* {{flagicon|Kuwait}} [[Transportation in Kuwait|Kuwait]] – no railways
* {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Transportation in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]] -
* {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Transportation in Jordan|Jordan]] – partially constructed – [[break of gauge]] {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on}}/{{RailGauge|1050mm}} gauge
* {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Transportation in Syria|Syria]] – same gauge – at [[Rabia, Iraq|Rabiaa]]/[[Al-Yaarubiyah|al-Ya'rubiya]]