Forward Operation Base Warrior, Iraq- There has been a variety of different operations and missions that have been involved in getting the trains up and running in the Riyadh region. Slowly and surely, with the US and Coalition soldiers providing the direction, support and leadership, the Train Station at Riyadh has been rebuild, and the trains returned to fairly normal operation.
Now, with the New Year and the security of the entire region greatly improved, there was a ceremony held January 3rd and the Train station and facilities at Riyadh were officially given back to the Iraqi Kirkuk Department of Transportation.
“The transfer of the Train Station went very well, very smooth and the sound of the different trains signals a return to normalcy for us,” said Dr. Shakir Mahmood, the Kirkuk Province director for Transportation Services.
It was a major step in the return of Kirkuk province and surrounding regional rail service. There is still remaining a final length or span of track to complete in the Bayji Railroad Bridge Area.
When the Bayji Rail Bridge is completed it will link the Samarra to Bayji railway line with the Kirkuk Rail line, and provide additional travel opportunities for citizens in the region.
