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Ghana Railway Company Limited

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A train at the Accra train station
Railway network of Ghana
Ghana Railways #1670 in Kumasi. #1670 is a GMDD (General Motors Diesel Division, London, Ontario, Canada) model GT18LC-2, 6-axle, 1,500 horsepower, diesel-electric locomotive, part of an order of 15 ordered in 1995. (GMDD is a division of EMD, formerly a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation.) It has an EMD 8-645 2-stroke diesel engine as prime-mover. Couplers are AAR coupling and air brakes. (Not known if this locomotive is A1A or Co-Co.) Locomotive can't be mu'd.

Ghana Railway Corporation operates the railways of Ghana. The Ghana Railway Company Limited is a public-sector body with responsibility for the efficient management of the national rail system so as to enhance the smooth movement of goods and passengers.[1]

History

Railway map of Ghana showing dates of construction

Operations began in 1898 under the Gold Coast Government Railways with headquarters in Sekondi.[2][3][4][5][6] The headquarters were transferred to Takoradi after the building of Takoradi Harbour, and railways and ports were jointly administered as the Ghana Railway & Ports Authority.[7] In 1976, SMCD 95 separated the railway from ports as the Ghana Railway Corporation.[3][8][9] The company enjoyed the status of a public corporation until 19 March 2001, when it became a limited liability company.[1]

The original 304-kilometre (189 mi) Eastern Railway was built in 1923 by the British for the purpose of hauling minerals and cocoa.[3] Construction of the Ghana Railways started before there were any port facilities, and locomotives and other equipment had to be lightered over the beach.[10]

In 2010, a contract was signed to construct a railway from Paga (on the border with Burkina Faso) to Kumasi; plus a branch from Tamale to Yendi.[11]

The railway network in Ghana resembles a large capital "A" with 3 components - a "Western Division" (the left leg of the "A") from Secondi/Takoradi to Kumasi (280 km, 168 mi), an "Eastern Division" (the right leg of the "A") from Accra to Kumasi, and a "Central Division" (the horizontal bar of the "A") from Huni Valley to Kotoku.[7][12] The 953 km (570 mi) network includes branch lines on the "Western Division" to Prestea and Awaso, a branch line to Kade on the "Central Division", and branch lines to Tema and Shai Hills on the "Eastern Division".[12]

Very little of the railway network remains in operation. Accra to Tema, Accra to Kotoku, and Awaso to Dunkwa and south to Takoradi are the only parts that are known to be in operation.[4][12][13] Very little is known about the current operating state of the rest of the system.

The following table outlines the dates of construction of the various parts of the railway network. (See map below right.)

Date Western Division Date Eastern Division Date Central Division
1901 Secondi to Tarkwa 1910 Accra to Achimota 1926 Huni Valley (Tinkrakrom)(4) to Achiasi
1902 Tarkwa to Huni Valley 1910 Achimota to Nswam 1927 Achiasi to Kade (5)
1902 Huni Valley to Obwasi 1915 Nswam to Koforidua 1956 Achiasi to Kotoku (6)
1903 Obwasi to Kumasi 1918 Koforidua to Tafo
1911 Tarkwa to Prestea (1) 1923 Tafo to Kumasi
1928 Takoradi to Kojokrom (2) 1954 Achimoto to Tema
1944 Dunkwa to Awaso (3) 1954 Tema to Shai Hills

Note 1 - Tarkwa to Prestea is a branch line on the Western Division that services manganese mines.[14]

Note 2 - Kojokrom is the junction of the line to Secondi (now abandoned). The other leg serves the port of Takoradi.

Note 3 - Dunkwa to Awaso is a branch line on the Western Division that services bauxite mines.

Note 4 - Huni Valley (Tinkwakrom) is the junction of the Central Division with the Western Division.

Note 5 - Achiasi to Kade is now a branch line on the Central Division. It used to service timber companies and for cocoa transportation. Oda was an important station on this branch.

Note 6 - Kotoku is the junction of the Central Division with the Western Division.

British-built 4-8-2 oil-burning locomotive waits to leave Accra on mixed overnight train in July 1974.

Stations

The following table lists some of the stations and flagstops (halts) that existed at one time on the three Divisions. There may be more. In the latter days of operation on these lines, very few of them were in service.

Stations On Western Division . . . Stations on Central Division . . . Stations on Eastern Division . .
Station Milepost Flagstop . Station Milepost Flagstop . Station Milepost Flagstop
TAKORADI 167.0.0 . . HUNI VALLEY (Jct) 0.0 . . Accra 0.0 .
Butuah . . . Damang 5.75 . . Achimota (Jct) 5.5 .
Efia Nkwanta . . . Subri 12.75 . . Dome 7.5 .
Kojokrom (Jct) 160.75 . . Sapongso . . . Ofako . .
Inchaban Junction 159.25 . . Nyenasi 25.5 . . Pokoasi . .
Ashiam . . . Twifu Praso 29.75 . . Amasaman 14.5 .
Angu 153.0 . . Nuamakrom 36.25 . . Opa . .
Manso 146.75 . . Ongwa 41.0 . . Ajenkotoku (Jct) 19.5 .
Benso 140.25 . . Adeenimbra 45.5 . . Papasi 21.75 .
Esuaso 135.75 . . Foso 51.0. . . Chinto . .
Bonsawire 132.25 . . Akenkaso 60.5 . . NSAWAM 26.0 .
Nsuta 128.0 . . Aperade 67.5 . . Oparekrom . .
TARKWA 124.5 . . Nyankumasi . . . Buokrom . .
Aboso 119.5 . . ACHIASI (Jct) 75.25 . . Pakra 33.5 .
Bompieso 114.0 . . .Osorasi 79.5 . . Mangousi 37.75 .
HUNI VALLEY (Tinkwakrom) 110.5 . . Adimsov 86 . . Nsukrame Halt . .
Kuranti 105.75 . . Moffram 93.5 . . Aboabo Halt . .
Insu 100.25 . . Badukrom . . . Asuoya 43.0 .
Gymakrom . . . Akroso 93.5 . . Kantakerri Halt . .
Oppon Valley 90.0 . . Kumikrom 99.5 . . Nsempoamiensa Halt . .
DUNKWA 64.25 . . Kofikyere . . . Koforidua 50.25 .
Ampunyase 57.0 . . Krodua 106.0 . . Affidwase . .
Akrofuom 49.5 . . Danso 113.0 . . Oyoko . .
Obuasi 42.25 . . Adaiso 119.0 . . Jumapo 56.5 .
Akrokerri 33.5 , . Ajenkotoku (Jct) 124.5 . . Tafo 63.0 .
Kanseri 26.25 . . . . . . Bosusuo. 69.75 .
Bekwai 19.25 . . . . . . Osino 76.5 .
Eduaben 9.0 . . . . . . Anyinam 83.0 .
KUMASI 0.0 . . . . . . Ankaasi. . .
. . . . . . . . Enyiresi . .
. . . . . . . . Kankang 89.25 .
. . . . . . . . Jejeti 95.5 .
. . . . . . . . Asubon 101.0 .
. . . . . . . . Nkawkaw 108.25 .
. . . . . . . . Awenadi . .
. . . . . . . . Kwahu Praso 122.75 .
. . . . . . . . Pra River 127.75 .
. . . . . . . . Bompatu . .
. . . . . . . . Juaso 144.75 .
. . . . . . . . Konuogo 152.0 .
. . . . . . . . Bomfa 159.0 .
. . . . . . . . Odumasi 153.5 .
. . . . . . . . Buamadumasi. 163.75 .
. . . . . . . . Ahwiriso 167.0. .
. . . . . . . . Boankra 171.25 .
. . . . . . . . Ejisi 176.0 .
. . . . . . . . Fumisua 180,5 .
. . . . . . . . Kumasi Market 188.75 .
. . . . . . . . KUMASI 189.5 .

Note 1 - No passenger service.

Note 2 -

Note 3 - Station/stop may no longer be in service.

Standards

Single and double track

The system is single-track with the exception of about 30 km (19 mi) of double track between Takoradi and Manso on the Western Line.

Gauge

Railway gauge is currently 3'6". The latest proposals in 2006 for upgrade and expansion include conversion of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) (narrow gauge) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge).[19] As an interim position, dual gauge sleepers are being installed to facilitate the conversion to Standard Gauge.

Concession

In 2007 a consortium led by Dubai-based Kampac Oil Co signed a US$1.6 billion concession to develop the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) (Cape gauge) Western Railway.[20] Over five years a 500-kilometre (310 mi) line is to be constructed from Awaso to Hamile near the border with Burkina Faso. The government awarded a US$1.4 billion concession for the Eastern Railway to Peatrack earlier in the year.[21]

New Suburban Services

In March 2015 it was announced that a new suburban service linking Sekondi and Takoradi would begin by the end of 2015.[22] The US$100 million project, managed by Amanda Holdings, involves the rebuilding of 30 of 1067mm gauge track to standard gauge, and the acquisition of two DMUs for service. The Accra - Nsawam and Kumasi - Ejisu suburban lines are also to be rebuilt.

Timeline

2007

In July 2007, contract signed as part of the ECOWAS rail plan, intended to link Ghana to Burkina Faso.[23]

2008

Two diesel multiple units ordered from China CNR Corporation's Tangshan plant for a shuttle service from Accra to Tema. Each unit comprises two motor cars with Vossloh Kiepe and Voith traction equipment, plus four trailer cars.[15]

2010

In October 2010 the DMUs were launched.[29] The line was commissioned in October 2010; in December 2010, work began on an extension to Tema harbour.[30]

2022

In september GRC ordered two DMU from Pesa with option on ten additional.[31]

2023

Lake Volta bridge [32]

Towns served by rail

Main article: Railway stations in Ghana

Concrete sleepers

A plant to manufacture concrete sleepers is to be set up in 2008 at the strategic railway junction at Huni Valley.[33][34]

Rolling Stock

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ministry of Roads & Transport Archived October 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Gold Coast Government Railway". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  3. ^ a b c "Ghana Railway Company Limited". SIGA : State Interests and Governance Authority. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  4. ^ a b "On October 1, 1903, Trains reach Kumasi from the coast". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  5. ^ "Rusty Rails: The story of Ghana's lost glory and government's new worry". MyJoyOnline.com. 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  6. ^ "On October 1, 1903, Trains reach Kumasi from the coast". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  7. ^ a b "On October 1, 1903, Trains reach Kumasi from the coast". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  8. ^ "Railway sector has 'collapsed'". 4 March 2013.
  9. ^ Journalist, Joshua Kobby Smith. "Stop Overloading Trains — Passengers To Rail Management". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  10. ^ David Brice (25 June 2008). "Essential renewals must pave the way for ambitious expansion strategy". Railway Gazette International. London.
  11. ^ "Ghana signs with China". Railways Africa. 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  12. ^ a b c "2.4 Ghana Railway Assessment - Logistics Capacity Assessment - Digital Logistics Capacity Assessments". dlca.logcluster.org. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  13. ^ "Railways Workers Union commends Govt for creation of Ministry". BusinessGhana. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  14. ^ "Railway Ministry to fence all railway lines in Ghana". MyJoyOnline.com. 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  15. ^ a b "DMUs shipped to Ghana". Railway Gazette International. London. 9 April 2009.
  16. ^ Ghana Archived 2009-03-18 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "Ghana Looks To Open Up Northern Sector: Focus On Rail Sector" (PDF).
  18. ^ Axleload
  19. ^ "Modern Ghana - Breaking News, Ghana, Africa, Entertainment". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  20. ^ "Pointers". Railway Gazette International. London. 1 August 2007.
  21. ^ "Ghana revival starts as concessions are signed". Railway Gazette International. London. 10 September 2007.
  22. ^ "Pointers". International Railway Journal. Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. 6 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Ghana in a lead in Railway network to link ECOWAS countries". The Ghanaian Journal. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12.
  24. ^ Shirley Han Ying (31 August 2006). "Korean rail engineers head to Ghana". Shirley's Studio. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
  25. ^ "Myjoyonline.com Ghana News :: Trains go North ::: Breaking News | New…". archive.is. 2007-07-01. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  26. ^ The Statesman: Special Reports : The transformation of Ghana's rail
  27. ^ "UAE group signs Ghana rail deal". National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT). Archived from the original on 2012-09-11.
  28. ^ "Ghanaweb News - Ghana Home Page, News Updates Ghana". GhanaWeb News. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  29. ^ "DMU launch in Ghana". Railways Africa. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  30. ^ "GHANA: PROPOSED ECOWAS COASTAL LINE | Railways Africa". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  31. ^ "Pesa zbuduje zespoły trakcyjne dla Ghany!".
  32. ^ Lake Volta bridge
  33. ^ "RAIL.ONE Collaborates in Upgrading the Western and Central Railway Line in the Republic of Ghana - Railway Technology". www.railway-technology.com. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  34. ^ MENAFN. "Business & Financial - International News, Currencies & Economic Indicators". Retrieved 2017-08-17.
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