Ardalian Railways
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| Ardalian Railways Ardaske Zeleznice | |
|---|---|
| Operation | |
| National railway | Ardaske Zeleznice |
| Infrastructure company | AZ Infrastruktura |
| Major operators | AZPP and AZ Kargo |
| Statistics | |
| Ridership | 36.210 million |
| Freight | 11.950 million tons |
| System length | |
| Total | 3,476 km (2,160 mi) |
| Double track | 695 km (432 mi) |
| Electrified | 1,529 km (950 mi) |
| Track gauge | |
| Main | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | |
| Main | 25 kV / 50 Hz AC overhead lines |
Ardalian Railways (Ardalian: Ardaske Zeleznice; abbreviated as AZ) is the national railway company of Ardalia. It provides local, regional, and long-distance passenger services; freight transport; and is responsible for maintaining all rail infrastructure. The railways carried 36.210 million passengers and transported 11.950 million tons of cargo in 2022. Hran, the nation's capital, is the main hub of the network.
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.
Operating Divisions
Infrastructure
Ardaske Zeljeznica Infrastruktura is a joint-stock company which manages all 3,476 km of railway lines in Ardalia. It maintains all stations and stops, level crossings, tunnels and bridges. They are responsible for traffic management and operation, for rehabilitation, maintainance and construction of railway infrastructure.
Passenger Transport
Ardaske Zeljeznice Putnicki Prijevoz (AZPP) is a joint-stock company which operates all domestic and international passenger trains.
The following services are offered:
- InterCity (IC): Quality domestic or international express trains that only stop at major cities, important tourist destinations, or connection stations. Trains consist of 1st and 2nd class open-carriage or comparment-configured coaches. Full-service dining cars are coupled onto international trains. Domestic express trains have cafe cars.
- Fast (B): Express trains running on the main lines of the railway network. These trains connect the capital, Hran, with other large cities in the country. Train consists of 1st class and 2nd class open-carriage or comparment-configured coaches.
- Local (L): Trains stop at most or all stations. Only 2nd class seating is offered. Passengers can connect to fast and intercity services at larger stations. Electric multiple unit consists are used on these services.
- Night: Overnight trains connecting Hran with either the Dracian Coast or to international destinations. Trains consist of 1st class sleeper, 2nd class open-carriage and 6-person couchette sleeper coaches, and a full-service dining car. Personal automobiles and motorbikes can be transported on double-decker flatbed wagons attached to the train for an additional fee.
All trains are air-conditioned, have power sockets, possess wireless internet connectivity, offer bicycle storage, and can accomodate passengers with reduced mobility.
The company has a daughter company that maintains all of the rolling stock.
Cargo
Ardaske Zeljeznica Kargo is a joint-stock company that provides rail freight transport services within Ardalia and to select international destinations. The operator's business model is focused on the conveyance of larger amounts of freight or bulk goods, chemicals, the products and semi-manufacturered products of metal and construction industry, palleted loads, etc.
The company has a daughter company that maintains all of the rolling stock.
Rolling Stock
| Image | Type | Class | Services | Max. speed | Built | In Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Future Developments and Projects
- 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.