Track in the Desert

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Does anybody have a link or articles to how they lay track in deserts like the Sahara please?

I have looked at photos and cant tell if it originally had stone chippings that have since been covered by blowing sand or if they just put it down. If so, what stops it shifting, or does it do that?

Thanks

[Graeme Dunbar]

From the very little (almost nothing) I know, I understand it is a matter of railways in desert areas rather than railway lines being built through sand dunes and that railways are routed around deserts (i.e the dunes) rather than through them though I've seen a couple of photos of new Chinese railways built on elevated track or viaducts in such  areas.  There appears to be quite a lot published on dealing with sand fouling on conventionally laid track.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Fouled-ballast-layer-by-blown-sand-in-desert-area_fig1_267246651

[engerth399]

Sand is a real problem for electric trams.  Too much and the wheels can lose electrical contact with the rail - sudden stop.

[Graeme Dunbar]

This is one piece on the Chinese desert railway -

https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2022/06/16/china-opens-first-high-speed-train-around-largest-desert/?gdpr=accept

[engerth399]

There is a picture in Les CF de la France d'Outre-Mer (North Africa) of the permanent way for the Mediterranean - Niger Railway and it appears to be conventionally ballasted - undoubtedly sand swept over it when in use.