Ardalian Railways

Ardalian National Railways
Vuszt Zeleznica Ardaska

Locale	Southern Thearea
Dates of operation	1910 (1910)–present
Track gauge	1,435 mm
Electrification	25 kV / 50 Hz AC
Length	12,740 km
Headquarters	Hran, Ardalia
Website	vza.ar

Ardalian National Railways (Ardalian: Vuszt Zeleznica Ardaska), often referred to by its abbrivation VZA, is the sole railway company in Ardalia. The state-owned operator provides regional, local, and long-distance passenger services; freight transport; and is the responsible organization for maintaining the rail infrastructure. Hran's Central Station is the main hub of the national rail network. VZA carried 175.91 million passengers and transported 75.6 million tons of freight in 2019.

System

VZA operates 12,740 km of standard gauge tracks, 4,371 km as double track or greater, and reaches all regions of the country. Ardalia's rail network is connected to all surrounding countries. Services to Loslakia and Rygaria experience a break-in-gauge as their trains operate on a broader track gauge. Ardalia's geographic location allows it to serve as a critical transport link between central, eastern, and western Thearea.

25 kv AC electrification of Ardalia's major rail lines would begin in 1955 at the expressed orders of dictator Frelno Letzek on the grounds that it would help to quicken industrialization efforts and allow the military far greater ease of movement throughout the country. The opening of the Kanryk-Odrgez Railway in 1972 would be the last length of electrified rail to be installed until 2001 following the Ardalian Civil War. Both the Caropsyne Pontanore and the Thearean Community) would provide substantial financial contributions to help Ardalian authorities to finish electrifying the entire network. This would be accomplished in 2008, allowing VZA to retire its remaining diesel locomotives and railcars (many which had been in active service since the mid-1960's) and begin an aggressive program of procuring new electric-powered trainsets and locomotives.

Between 2009-2013, over 4 billion Litas was invested by the Raszan Government (with major financial support from the Pontanore and the Thearean Community) on the main line corridor between the Caropsyne border and Hran to enable 250 km/h operations. This is the only qualified high-speed track in the country. Elsewhere throughout the system, the maximum speed is 160 km/h except for the rail line between Kanryk and Odrgez which has structural limit of 120 km/h due to the narrowness, steep gradient, and large number of curves along the length of its right-of-way. The current Darvas Government is actively developing plans to enable 250 km/h service on the remainder of the main line to the Prassian border via Zirdek (as part of a larger Thearean Community infrastructure program) and implementing other speed and reliability improvements on other regional segments.

Services

Passenger Services

Ardalian National Railways offers the following passenger services:

• InterCity (IC): Quality domestic or international long-distance trains with 1st and 2nd class open-carriage or comparment-configured coaches. All have dining cars. These trains usually stop only at major cities, important tourist destinations, or connection stations. Some InterCity double as night trains.

• Regional (RG): A faster train that operates between a major city or cities of a district to medium and some small-sized communities. Only 2nd class seating is offered. Hran District services fall into this category.

• Local (L): This type of train stops at all stations and stops. Only 2nd class seating is offered. Passengers can connect to regional and intercity services at larger stations.

• Night (N): Slow international or domestic trains that typically depart Hran between 19:00-21:00 and arrive at their destination by 7:00-9:00 the following morning. These trains offer both 1st and 2nd class sleeping accommodations and dining cars.

All trains are equipped with free wifi connectivity and bicycle storage.

Fares and Ticketing

Fares on local and regional services are priced based solely on the distance traveled. All tickets are set at the second class rate. Tranzitna Hran riders possessing either an unlimited monthly or annual pass may access all VZA services within the Hran District at no additional cost.

Intercity and night train tickets are determined using a complex fare tariff which is based on distance, date and time, service class, how far in advance the ticket is booked, and other factors.

All tickets can be purchased from VZA's mobile application, website, at the station at either a ticket machine or ticket agent, or onboard from a conductor. By law, all veterans and seniors over the age of 65 are allowed to ride free on all services.

Freight

TBD

Rolling Stock

Image	Type	Class	Services	Max. speed	Built	In Service
	Electric multiple unit	Class 815	Regional, Hran Suburban	200 km/h	2020	82
	Electric multiple unit	Class 430	Regional, Local	160 km/h	2014-2020	140
	Electric multiple unit	Class 425	Regional, Local	140 km/h	2014	160
	Electric locomotive	Class 480	Freight, Passenger	160 km/h	2020	150
	Electric locomotive	Class 470	InterCity	230 km/h	2015	55

Major Stations

• Hran Central Station
• Taerisz
• Kanryk
• Greszin
• Vaposk
• Zirdek

Future Plans

• Upgrade the Hran-Zirdek segment of the mainline to 200 km/h operations.
• Increase freight rail capacity on Taerisz-Kasza line.
• Secure Thearean Community financial support to construct a high-speed railway between Ardalia, Prassia, and the south.
• Continue to purchase electric multiple unit trainsets for most passenger services, leaving locomotive-linked trains to specific services and freight operations.
• More night trains between Hran-Odrgez during the summer season and Hran-Arasc in the winter.
• Evaluate the feasibility of constructing a rail line along the Dracian Coast from Odrgez to Nuum via Dras.