The short doc was shot entirely on a Sony F35 that was modified to use a . Youll not suffer from the daily dance performance alongside the battle for the cold buffet each evening. Thanks for sharing and great tips. On a freight wagon, we go through the vast Saharan landscape, travelling with people whose only way to survive is to get on that train. Linesiding along the railway between Nouadhibou and the oasis of Boilenoir (line-km 96). Browse through our extensive North Korean group tour schedule to find a group tour that best suits you and your budget. Type 3 is crushed Iron Ore which is basically dust. There is no light pollution out in the desert where the train is leading you because there is nothing out there at all. To allow for two-way traffic on the single rail track, nine sidings are distributed along the line to allow empty trains to cross paths with loaded ones.. If I compare Iraq with Mauritania, well, Iraq all the way. Director's bio-filmography: MacGregor (1981) loves speed and collects classic . You can travel by train, but thats a very dusty adventure! You do not want to be left stranded in the middle of the Saharan Desert. We also didnt have to wrap ourselves and our things in sheets or plastic, like people recommend you do in the other direction, because in empty cars there is less iron ore dust whipping around (although there is still A LOT). THE MAURITANIA RAILWAY ACCOLADES:: Vimeo Staff Pick. What a cool experience! RECENT WINS. After the line was nationalised in 1974 the government negotiated a new route with Western Sahara, to avoid the mountainous part, and in 1978 they inaugurated this new section, which crosses Western Sahara for 5km (3.1 miles). About 15 wagons away, I was able to make out a Mauritanian loading tens of goats and, a few wagons further along, another man seemed to be loading more than 30 suitcases, as if he decided to move out to his new place riding on the Iron Ore Train. Between 1961 and 1963, the mining company Socit Anonyme des Mines de Fer de la Mauritanie built a 652km long standard gauge line from the Atlantic port of Nouadhibou to the iron ore mines in Zourate. Often described on the internet as "the most dangerous train in the world", the iron ore train of Mauritania has become famous among travelers to the region. Change). Both of the longest trips will take more than ten hours without photo stops. Choum, Mauritania. On the journey well not find any sanitary facilities. Im planning to go to Mauritania and ride the train in April. You must carry sufficient medicine with you if youre in need of some medication. So nobody maintains the carriage. At 430 miles long, the formidable Mauritania Railway, nicknamed the "backbone of the Sahara," boasts some of the longest and heaviest trains in the world. What caught our attention here at YPT are that the owners of the railway the state agency Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire, SNIMor in English National Mining and Industrial Company allows locals and tourists to board the train and use it as a mean of transportation between inland of the country and the coastline. Bring heaps of water with you. I did it in February and it was great. Required fields are marked *. Seems like you have to get well wrapped around and protected, is it? The 10 Heaviest Trains in the World (Lightest to Heaviest) China: Daqin Railway 20,000 metric tons. . I did this in August 2021, I was 19. Linesiding in the region of Zourate Choum. The railway is Mauritania's economical artery and a relict of her colonial past. Hi Joan, do you have any recommendations for women travelling there, although you are male and it might be hard to imagine how your travel would have been if you would be a female in relation to the interaction with local men (did you also interact with local women?) Hotel in Zourate. You can expect your entire body to shake with the very loud noise caused by this, at any given time. I am not really interested in spending the whole night on iron ore The main question is, will there be some cars waiting for picking up passengers at Choum train station to Atar when the train arrive from Zourat? Join Young Pioneer Tours for one of our signature Group Adventures to the Islamic Republic of Iran, or Iraqi Kurdistan and the Caucuses, or let us plan your independent Middle-Eastern adventure. Our hotel in Nouadhibou has a sufficient standard and offer electricity, hot water and internet access. And was it hard to get on? If you wish you can extend your stay a bit on the Canarias before flying back home. An increase of axle load to 30 tons is planned. Our car-mate returned from the darkness after a few minutes and proceeded to just sit down on the tracks and ask us what we were still doing there. The rest of the people were like us, stretched out along the tracks, laying up against their various sacks of who-knows-what. Built to transport Mauritania's vast iron ore reserves, the Mauritania Railway is a 704-kilometer line that cuts through the Sahara Desert on its way from the mining center of Zouerat to the port city of Nouadhibou on Africa's Atlantic coast. Share. Pretty epic. Furthermore, in the passenger carriage you are likely to meet curious Mauritanians with whom to interact, share stories, have some tea, etc., but keep in mind that its always packed, with barely any place to sit, so dont expect it to be the most comfortable journey ever. If you're serious about this experience, you should definitely pack goggles, warm blankets, scarves, some sort of breathing mask, plenty of water, food, and warm [] countries. The loading facilities for iron ore are in Zourate, El Rhein and M'Haoudat. Once at the station, all I could see was the passenger carriage and a few locomotives. Its a modern hotel costing 50 a night. The owner and guy in charge is a Frenchman named Sebastien. We found a pack of chalk fairly entertaining to play games and draw on the inside of the carriage walls. The Mauritania Railway is a 704-kilometer line linking the iron-mining center of Zouerat with the port of Nouadhibou. My experience with the train began upon my arrival in Zourat, in a hotel I booked into named Tiris, whose owner spoke impeccable Spanish. You'll ride with us from Choum close to the border of Western Sahara to the Port of Nouadhibou, Mauritania's second largest city and economic hub. At 3-kilometers in length, trains on this line are among the longest and heaviest in the world. Q802901. Refuelling of locomotives commonly occurs at over 50C (122F). They spoke very broken French and Gabe was kind of able to communicate with that but mostly it was good old fashioned hand signals (I was also smiling but my face was completely covered so nobody but me knew that so maybe they were also?) I went to the desert for adventure and I found it. However, it is possible to arrange a separate car to drop your large belongings off at your destination. The whole day, well follow trains from Zourate to Nouadhibou and vice versa. It was 1pm and, apparently, the train could show up at any time between 11am and 7pm, so I was there waiting, with the uncertainty that the train could arrive at any moment, but I only had to wait for two hours when, all of a sudden, I felt the noise of a locomotive approaching followed by an endless line of wagons. We went the opposite direction, from Nouadhibou to Choum. The daily runs of the track gang speeders have some influence on the timetable. E&OE. From Nouadhibou the line heads about 460 kilometres to the east before it turns to the north near Choum. Mauritania is currently the United States' 172nd largest goods trading partner with USD 189 million in total (two-way) goods trade. In the spring of 2016, I traveled to the Sahara desert to ride the legendary Mauritanian iron ore train. Its complicated, especially because your hands will become dirty as soon as you get in, so I recommend bringing only food that can be eaten without touching, like bananas or a sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil, for example. The line speed is 40 km/h, the rails are designed for 26 tons axle load. Finally, around 17:30, we began to see a smoke stack billowing in the distance. Totally riveting. I did bring a sandwich and ate it during the 10 minutes that we stopped in Choum. Pro Tip Choose a wagon with a tall iron pile, so you will have a clearer view of the whole train. Youll experience authenticity and meet open minded people who still see tourism as an opportunity for their country. Today well follow a train from Zourate back to Nouabidou. However, on almost every train you can see people travelling in the ore wagons. And we were. If you are attempting to get a picture or check out the viewbe aware of the spring-loaded pinball sound and know that you are about to get whiplash. There are a number of exciting photographic opportunities. Catherine. Mauritania has more to offer than most of us may imagine. INTERPIPE has signed a 3-year contract with the Mauritanian State Railways (Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire) for the supply of 1076 mm diameter locomotive wheels according to the AAR standard, reports Railway Supply magazine, citing the manufacturer. Mauritania's railway network consists of the single, 704 km long track, connecting port in Nouadhibou with Zouerate, which is the main iron mining centre of the country. Really good info and written beautifully! How do you go to the bathroom, especially women. Theres also the possibility of getting on a wagon with Mauritanians but the few locals I saw getting on at Zourat were more towards the middle, and I wanted to be at the beginning. It then unloads the iron ore in the Mauritanian coastal town of Nouadhibou, and returns empty, back deep into the Sahara, to the area . In recent years they added two sidings to allow four pairs of trains per day. People are allowed to travel in the ore wagons or the flat wagons free of charge. Whilst travel is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable ways to spend your time, arranging your travel can be complicated, stressful and difficult. The dust gets everywhere, Special camera plastics to protect your lens, Several liters of water, more than you can drink. SNIM owns and operates its own railway. This is Mauritania, and having an extra load of patience is a must. But then the speed would change, and that tell-tale sound would roar down the tracks and we would jerk forward and I would be wide awake again. Some of the trains have a wagon for employees of the railway, SNIM, at the end. The Mauritanian Iron Ore Train is one of the most unique and incredible train journeys one can take. Directed, produced and photographed by Macgregormacgregor.worksShot on a modified Sony F35 to achieve optimum lightness and speed through the Saharan landsca. My daughters have been living in Barcelona for many years now, and I go there quite often he said. Food is insanely delicious, Sebastien is super nice and makes you feel at home (maybe because I am french as well). People we had spoken to had said that the way to Choum was far less comfortable than the way to Nouadhibou, but we didnt find it to be any less comfortable than you would imagine riding in a barren iron train on rusted, ancient tracks with no cushioning through a developing country would be. The bivouacs have mattresses and simple blankets, but there are no proper toilets. At more than 430 miles long, the Mauritania Railway has been transporting iron ore across the blistering heat of the Sahara Desert since 1963. The full . It is not uncommon for travellers to bring and pitch a tent within the freight car for extra comfort. This is the sharp 90 degree corner where Western Sahara borders Mauritania. Got extra time before or after your North Korean group tour? Download this Mauritania Railway photo now. Led by director Macgregor, the team made the 30-hour trip between the mines and port a dozen times over two years. on top of the open ore wagons or the flat wagons with the lorries on. The aim of the train is to transport thousands of tonnes of iron ore, distributed in more than 200 wagons, making it become the longest and heaviest train in the world, at 2.5km long, although it can be up to 3km, depending on the loading. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Thank you. The film has screened at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Moscow International Documentary Film Festival DOKer, the 41th Grenzland . The office is where shared taxis to the station depart from. I barely slept, but felt comfortable. This is the exact location for both stations, Fderik and Choum. Fortunately, we didnt see anyone have to take a shit while we were riding, although Im sure it happens. The feeling was similar to what I imagine it would feel like if you were a pinball being shot out of the machine. What weve discovered is ultimately the experience of a lifetime by blasting through the Sahara under the pristine desert sky, gazing upon the stars and being rocked by the sheer power of the locomotive. There are no places to buy any between Nouadhibou and Atar. The train is up to 3km (1.8 miles) in length with over 200 freight carriages, carrying up to 84 tons of iron ore. To get access to two additional mines, they built a 70km long link from Fdrik to Guelb and MHaoudat. We chatted about the purpose of my visit, and he never managed to assimilate why the hell I wanted to ride the train with all the dust, when I supposedly could pay the 15 cost of getting into the passenger wagon, a significant amount many Mauritanians cant. And search more of iStock's library of royalty-free stock images that features Mauritania photos available for quick and easy download. Depending on which direction you go, you will either be riding on top of a mass of iron ore, towering above the lackluster tracks, or you will be inside the cars, jostling around, hoping that no nefarious people hop in. And also how long does it take the train to speed up and slow down? For camels (on their way to slaughter) and lorries theyll attach some flat wagons behind the ore wagons. Whilst were thrilled that SNIM do allow passengers to board their iron ore freight trains, there are things you must know before jumping aboard. Its right next to the ore mining area of the Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire. They had brought blankets to spread out and had the fire up and going for tea and dinner before we had even left the station in Nouadhibou! Socit Nationale Industrielle et Minire, Hitchhiking and Backpacking in Saudi Arabia, Is it Ethical to Visit Saudi Arabia as a Tourist, Travel Guide to Afghan Village in Pakistan, The day I was accused of being an Islamic State Spy, Tips and how to travel to Mauritania in 2022, How to travel to Syria in 2022: Need to know. safety standards. The Mauritania Railway was opened in 1963, ten years after iron ore was discovered near Kediet ej Jill, Mauritania's highest mountain. Daytime temperatures in November are around 20 to 30 degrees Centigrade, while nights can be chilly. This also means the arrival time is not fixed to a certain time and a single trip can take from 11 to 15 hours. Miguel de Olaso, (aka Macgregor), is a Spanish filmmaker who typically specializes in high-speed racing filmography, . There are two options for riding the train which offer, Im sure, two very different experiences. Hi David! First off, do not expect any levels of comfort you would find on other passenger trains around the world. One other advantage of riding in the empty freight car is that youll be able to move around to warm yourself up. The train itself reaches up to 2.5km in length and traverses 704km on one track. Two of the major reasons, cited to account for this situation, The unknown smells and sounds of the desert, and all the discomfort that goes with it. Our friend asked if we would rather have our own car or ride with the men and we opted to join their group and ride together. It will include the development of 170 miles (273.5km) of new track between South Florida and Orlando. Whilst the passenger wagon is designed for actual passengers with multiple berths of 6 bunks, remember theres no conductor. In the evening well stop in Ben Amira and place our desert camp in the sand dunes. You must wear warm clothes. Here well leave the railway and head south-east for Atar, the home of ancient Mercedes 190 models. Hi David! Well carry sufficient food, tea and water with us. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our Mauritania EXPEDITION in Feb 8th to 15th (2023), Join our Mauritania EXPEDITION in The railway connects the deposits to the ore port along a 700km line. The line runs close to the border with Western Sahara, through sparsely or non-populated desert areas. This has been on my radar for a while now. In the morning hours we expect an empty train passing Ben Amira. We have a long and proud history of arranging cultural projects with the Korean people; be it through art, sport, or whatever medium brings people together. And how about it getting into your stuff, clothes and so? WikiMatrix (c)in Mauritania railway sleepers which were delivered (3,9 Mio ECU) did not all correspond to the technical specifications set out in the contract. Weve heard of people putting up their tents in the cars, which would be a great idea. Attention, the flight schedules for March 2022 are not yet fixed; there may be changes in the flight day as well as in the routing! CREDITS:: Director: Macgregor. However, among the 2.5km of loaded wagons, there is one passenger carriage, which tends to be the last one. Type 1 are rocks that are half the size of your fist. However, it was truly one of the coolest, objectively badass things we have done traveling. MAURITANIA RAILWAY . But bring more. To view this content, login below or subscribe as a Premium Subscriber. Directed, produced and photographed by Macgregor macgregor.works Shot on a modified Sony F35 to achieve optimum lightness and speed through the Saharan landscapes, without sacrificing on image quality. Trains, even those with a timetable, are for the ore traffic. Hi Sam, just book your hotel in Nouakchott. This experience is the real Mauritanian experience. Despite this, there are some foreigners in Nouadhibou for the fishing business. Also check our travel guide to Mauritania. Its way more epic and, as you have already traveled all the way to Mauritania and youll probably never ride the Iron Ore Train again, you should do it in its entirety, otherwise you may regret it. In our opinion, taking this option greatly decreases the enjoyment levels of the journey and makes for an even less comfortable ride than than an empty freight car that already provides a guaranteed view of the desert, with both sunset and moonset (yep, it exists and it is incredible here in the Sahara). This mini documentary film is real nice also. It was one of the most beautiful scenes from our travels and we had that feeling you get when you feel you are part of something special, like you are the only person getting a chance to witness a secret spectacle. 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