The first Etihad Rail train made an appearance on Tuesday during a trial run in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, as part of the project's first deliveries of train parts.
The first stage of the railway project is slated to include seven locomotives, two of which have already been delivered, according to The National's Arabic-language sister paper, Al Ittihad.
Each locomotive costs Dh13 million. Each can two 110 wagons, the papers said.
When completed in 2018, the trains will nearly 1,100 kilometres linking the Western Region to the Northern Emirates.
The Dh40 billion project, which is expected to mark a quantum leap in local and regional freight transit, would eventually provide transport options for passengers as well.
On April 10, Etihad Rail announced that two locomotives had arrived at Mussafah Port, ahead of the launch of the UAE's first train, which will be dedicated to the transport of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Al Ruwais Port in Abu Dhabi's Western Region.
