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Quote:

Oman Observer
25 commuter, intercity stations
Sun, 29 August 2010

Summarized quotes from the article:
- 25 commuter stations and intercity stations along the route of the network.

- Roughly 1,000-kilometre-long rail system extending from Khatmat Malaha on Oman’s border with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Duqm on the Wusta coast, has already been finalised.

-Four sections, with priority likely to be accorded to two key sections — one extending north from Muscat to the Port of Sohar, and the other running south from Muscat to Duqm.

- According to officials, a total of eight commuter stations are envisioned along the 280-kilometre rail line from Muscat to Sohar Port.

- These are proposed to be built at Al Misfah (near Rusayl), Al Abyath, Al Hazm, Al Hur, Al Khabourah, Daqal, Saham and Sohar Port. Importantly, three intercity stations are planned as well at Muscat, Barka and Sohar City.

- Furthermore, six commuter stations are proposed along the 520-kilometre-long rail line that will run south from Muscat to Duqm. These are envisaged at Bid Bid, Samayil, Izki, Ibra, Sinaw and Mahout, while a major intercity station will be built at the industrial port city of Duqm.

-The third section of the rail network — a roughly 150-kilometre branch line extending from Sohar to Buraimi — will feature two commuter stations at Wadi al Jizzi and Sunainah, with a full-fledged intercity station envisioned at Buraimi. Four commuter stations are also planned on the fourth section that runs north from Sohar to Khatmat Malaha. These stations will come up at Liwa, Shinas, Al Aqar and Khatmat Malaha.

- The Supreme Committee for Town Planning (SCTP) is the lead agency responsible for the development and implementation of the country’s national rail transportation system. More than 30 engineering consultants have already registered to prequalify for a contract to provide engineering design and supervision consultancy services for the project.

- A joint venture team of experts representing Systra Consulting of France and the National Engineering Office (NEO) of the Sultanate has already completed a study of the design requirements for the National Railway project.

-Will comprise a double track, standard-gauge (1,435mm) system with provision made for the introduction of high-speed trains, with speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour (kph), in the future. Initially, however, passenger trains will be operated at speeds of 200 kph, while freight trains will run at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kph.

- The trains will run on electrical power, supplied through overhead electrical infrastructure that will be built along the length of the network.

- The rail system will form part of a planned Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rail network connecting Oman with the UAE and other Gulf countries.

Reference to the complete article