Ghana Railway Corporation

Ghana Railway Corporation is the operator of railways in Ghana. The Ghana Railway Company Limited is a public sector body with responsibility for the efficient management of the national rail system so as to enhance the smooth movement of goods and passengers. [http://www.mrt.gov.gh/agency_info/agencies.asp?agency=AG18&sector=RT Ministry of Roads & Transport] ]

History

Operations commenced in 1898 under the Gold Coast Civil Service with headquarters in Sekondi. The headquarters was transferred to Takoradi following the construction of Takoradi Harbour, and railways and ports were jointly administered as the Ghana Railway & Ports Authority. In 1976, SMCD 95 separated the Railway from Ports as the Ghana Railway Corporation. The Company enjoyed the status of a public Corporation until March 19 2001 when it became a Limited Liability Company.

The original convert|304|km|adj=on Eastern Railway was built in 1923 by the British for the purpose of hauling of minerals and cocoa. Construction of the Ghana Railways started before there were any port facilities, and locomotives and other equipment had to be lightered over the beach. [ http://www.railwaygazette.com/features_view/article/2008/06/8568/essential_renewals_must_pave_the_way_for_ambitious_expansion_strategy.html ]

Standards

* Coupling (railway) - AAR
* Brake (railway) - vacuum

Single and Double Track

The system is single track with the exception of about convert|30|km of double track between Takoradi and Manso on the Western Line.

Gauge

The latest proposals in 2006 for upgrade and expansion include conversion of narrow gauge to standard gauge. [ http://www.modernghana.com/GhanaHome//report_content/doc9.doc ]

Concession

In 2007 a consortium led by Dubai-based Kampac Oil Co signed a US$1.6 billion concession to develop the Cape gauge Western Railway. [cite news | title= Pointers | publisher = "Railway Gazette International" | date=2007-08-01 | url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/08/7672/pointers-78.html] Over five years a convert|500|km|adj=on line is to be constructed from Awaso to Hamalie near the border with Burkina Faso. The government awarded a US$1.4 billion concession for the Eastern Railway to Peatrack earlier in the year. [cite news | title= Ghana revival starts as concessions are signed | publisher = "Railway Gazette International" | date=2007-09-10 | url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/09/7681/ghana_revival_starts_as_concessions_are_signed.html]

Timeline

2007

* In July 2007, contract signed with Peatrak Company as part of ECOWAS plan. [ http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ghana_in_a_lead_in_railway_network_to_link_ecowas_countries ]
* In February, a Korean engineering study group examined the proposed new lines and also gauge conversion to standard gauge. [ [http://yinggelken.blogspot.com/2007/02/korean-rail-engineers-head-to-ghana.html Shirley's Studio: Korean rail engineers head to Ghana ] ] [ [http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/200708/7194.asp Ghana News :: Trains go North ::: Breaking News | News in Ghana | news ] ] [ [http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/news_detail.php?newsid=4453&section=9 The Statesman : Special Reports : The transformation of Ghana's rail ] ] [ [http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/08/uae_group_signs_ghana_rail_dea.html National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT): UAE group signs Ghana rail deal ] ] [ [http://ghanaweb-news.com/ASOPROCHONA_TRAINSTATION_BAHNHOF.aspx Asoprochona - Train Station / Bahnhof ] ]

2008

* 2 diesel multiple units ordered from China consisting of 4 motor cars and 8 trailer cars with Voith transmissions for a shuttle service from Accra to Tema. [ [http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11328228.htm Ghana news - Railpage Australia™ Forums (Africa) ] ]

Towns served by rail

Existing

The following towns currently have rail service in Ghana:
* Kumasi Railway Station in Accra
* Accra - port, capital city
* Asoprochona - suburban terminus
* Betkwa, Dunkwa
* Kongono, Koforidua
* Nkawkaw, Nsawam, Obuasi, Sekondi
* Tarkwa - junction
* Takoradi - proposed junction to northwest
* Dunkwa - Junction

* Obuasi
* Bekwai
* Kumasi
* Tema - port in east - proposed suburban terminus 2008
* Shai Hills
* Prestea - branch terminus
* Awaso - branch terminus - Bauxite mine
* Oda
* Kade - branch terminus

* Huni Valley - junction on west line for cross country line to east line.

Proposed

This list includes regauged stations.

* Takoradi - port - break of gauge RailGauge|1067/RailGauge|1435
* Manso
* Tarkwa - junction for northwest
* Huni Valley
* Dunkwa
* Awaso
* Nyinahim
* Sunyani
* Techiman
* Bole
* Salwa
* Wa
* Hamile - northwest terminus - RailGauge|1435

Lake Volta branch:
* Tema
* Akosombo

----
* Nkoranza‎

Closed

Concrete sleepers

A plant to manufacture concrete sleepers is to be set up in 2008 at the strategic railway junction at Huni Valley. [ [http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/engineering/pfleiderer2/press19.html Railway Technology - RAIL.ONE Collaborates in Upgrading the Western and Central Railway Line in the Republic of Ghana ] ] [ [http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093163240 MENAFN - Middle East North Africa . Financial Network News: Dubai's Kampac Oil signs Dh5.8b Ghana rail contract ] ]

See also

* Transport in Ghana

References

External links

* [http://www.mrt.gov.gh/agency_info/agencies.asp?agency=AG18&sector=RT Ministry of Transportation]
* [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/09/7681/ghana_revival_starts_as_concessions_are_signed.html Ghana revival starts as concessions are signed] "Railway Gazette International" 2007-09-10
* [http://www.scn.org/rdi/kw-rail.htm Railways in Ghana] (photos)
* [http://www.railway-technology.com/industry/ghana.html Addresses]
* [http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/artikel.php?ID=118164&comment=0 Rethinking rail]
* [http://institutions.africadatabase.org/data/i10846.html Ghana Railway Corporation Managing Director]
* [http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/politics/200703/2593.asp Rehabilitation of railway line on course] MyJoyOnline 2007-03-16
* [http://www.ghanaimage.com/railways_harbours.htm Development] ; Inland port
* [http://ghana-net.com/Ghana_Railway.aspx]