Railroads In Iraq

whodom · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:21 am

Jeff- A guy I used to work with was in the Naval Reserves (Seabees) and was sent over a couple of years ago specifically to work on the railways. I haven't talked to him since he got back but that must at least mean the railways are in use.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:20 pm

Trains Magazine had an extensive on-the-scene cover story by former editor Mark Hemphill, who was also in Iraq as a contractor, a couple years ago. You might be able to seek out that issue.

Also: http://www.trains.com/trn/default.aspx?c=a&id=2601 (may not be available to non-subscribers).

(Note: I find it a bit of a flaw that I can't search the magazine's website to find out when that cover story was.........)

whodom · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:46 pm

That 2-8-0 looks to be in very good condition. This photo from the link you posted:

http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg ... 70324.html

appears to be the remains of a streamlined Pacific. Very interesting!

Edit- more complete sister loco photo here: http://www.gwrarchive.org/site/sitel2pg ... 70332.html

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:22 pm

Regarding steam only:

Of the ones pictured in that album, the one plinthed in front of Bagdad West station was still there; at least before the war, and 1429 still survives. None of the rest have been reported; although a Sentinel steam rail switcher was spotted outside the railway workshops in Bagdad.

An Iraqi Petroleum 2-8-4T was reported spotted on a siding in Mosul; though this sighting has not been confirmed.

On a smaller scale; when the Iraqis invaded Kawait, they took back with them a Crown Metal Products 4-4-0 steam locomotive and trainset, and placed them in Zawra Park amusement park in Bagdad. Once again, I don't know how well it fared during the war.

Those are all of the steam sightings that have crossed my desk to date. Any others would be gladly welcomed.

Overmod · **Joined:** Thu May 24, 2012 1:37 pm **Posts:** 2492

>Trains Magazine had an extensive on-the-scene cover story
> by former editor Mark Hemphill, who was also in Iraq as a contractor,
> a couple years ago. You might be able to seek out that issue.

I have a copy of the Trains back-issue DVD, so if someone will provide me the particular date I can provide a synopsis.

If I may make a recommendation: Trains Magazine has its own forums, and at one time Mark Hemphill was a regular participator. If you were to post this question over there, I think you might get him to reply in detail.