I am stationed in Kuwait and just left Iraq last month. My wife sent me the July issue of Trains and I saw the article on the Iraqi Republic Railway. I had noticed that around Basra and its surroundings the rail lines themselves and support structures like the Swing bridge out side of Basra are intact but no effort has been made except for the Basra-Baghdad route to be put back in service. My question is-What would it take besides putting in new signals and cleaning up the debris. To put the Iraqi Republic Railway back in working condition and who would do this? Thanks SSGTROLL
Dear SSGTTROLL,
Your question is very broad and inclusive. You could have been a little more specific. If a teacher were to ask that on an essay test every student would cringe because that would require a lot of writing and a lot or remembering. However, since no one else has stepped up to the challenge of answering your question then I will. This first part I’ll describe in research paper format. I went to the Wichita State University library for books on engineering and bought some videos that show some of the processes of building a railroad. Keep in mind that all my sources date back to the 1940s and 1950s, but also keep in mind that this era was a revolution for the industry and some of these practices have become standard today. I am not an engineering student, but got my degree in Criminal Justice and minored in history. College has taught me the experience of doing research, however, If I had made any errors in this “report” I hope someone will see it and correct me.
Sincerely,
ironhorseman
PART I: restoring track
In Iraq we’re talking about fundamentals here. What does it take to put it back in working condition? What’s the one thing any and every railroad needs to survive? Answer: a purpose. What is this railroad going haul: passengers or freight or both? Where to? And how often? Combined with plan of execution will lead to the next step.
What’s the second most vital element to survival of a railroad, or any business for that matter? Answer: funding. Theodore Judah never would have never got his “crazy” idea of building the Central Pacific Railroad if some businessmen didn’t think this railroad’s purpose (to reach the silver mines) would be profitable or worthwhile. These financers were Collis P. Huntington, Leland Sta
During the Korean War 95% of men and materiel from South Korean ports to the front lines went by rail. Fighting went back and forth in 1950 - 1951, rail facilities seemed hopelessly destroyed. However, lines were often restored to service in a matter of days and larger projects such as the Han River bridge and Killachon bridge took a matter of weeks. WWII in Europe saw similar experience. The Germans were far more skillful destroying rail lines and mining roadbeds than the communist forces in Korea. Army Field Manual 55 - 22 is the best source on rail operations in theater.
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/55-20/toc.htm
I am stationed in Kuwait and just left Iraq last month. My wife sent me the July issue of Trains and I saw the article on the Iraqi Republic Railway. I had noticed that around Basra and its surroundings the rail lines themselves and support structures like the Swing bridge out side of Basra are intact but no effort has been made except for the Basra-Baghdad route to be put back in service. My question is-What would it take besides putting in new signals and cleaning up the debris. To put the Iraqi Republic Railway back in working condition and who would do this? Thanks SSGTROLL
Dear SSGTTROLL,
Your question is very broad and inclusive. You could have been a little more specific. If a teacher were to ask that on an essay test every student would cringe because that would require a lot of writing and a lot or remembering. However, since no one else has stepped up to the challenge of answering your question then I will. This first part I’ll describe in research paper format. I went to the Wichita State University library for books on engineering and bought some videos that show some of the processes of building a railroad. Keep in mind that all my sources date back to the 1940s and 1950s, but also keep in mind that this era was a revolution for the industry and some of these practices have become standard today. I am not an engineering student, but got my degree in Criminal Justice and minored in history. College has taught me the experience of doing research, however, If I had made any errors in this “report” I hope someone will see it and correct me.
Sincerely,
ironhorseman
PART I: restoring track
In Iraq we’re talking about fundamentals here. What does it take to put it back in working condition? What’s the one thing any and every railroad needs to survive? Answer: a purpose. What is this railroad going haul: passengers or freight or both? Where to? And how often? Combined with plan of execution will lead to the next step.
What’s the second most vital element to survival of a railroad, or any business for that matter? Answer: funding. Theodore Judah never would have never got his “crazy” idea of building the Central Pacific Railroad if some businessmen didn’t think this railroad’s purpose (to reach the silver mines) would be profitable or worthwhile. These financers were Collis P. Huntington, Leland Sta
During the Korean War 95% of men and materiel from South Korean ports to the front lines went by rail. Fighting went back and forth in 1950 - 1951, rail facilities seemed hopelessly destroyed. However, lines were often restored to service in a matter of days and larger projects such as the Han River bridge and Killachon bridge took a matter of weeks. WWII in Europe saw similar experience. The Germans were far more skillful destroying rail lines and mining roadbeds than the communist forces in Korea. Army Field Manual 55 - 22 is the best source on rail operations in theater.
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/55-20/toc.htm