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The Eritrean Railways is only 75 miles long but so spectacular that rail enthusiasts are starting to call this the "Darjeeling of Africa". The entire route is very scenic and photogenic, from the Red Sea harbor side, to the desert, mountains, steep grades, tunnels, viaducts, and horseshoe curves. This railroad seems to have it all for the rail enthusiasts. The line runs from the Red Sea port of Massawa to Summit which is a bit over 7000 feet. This country is very safe and the people friendly
MONDAY OCTOBER 27: Independent arrivals at Asmara, Eritrea and hotel check-in at the five star Inter-Continental Hotel. Lufthansa has a flight departing from Frankfurt, Germany at 12:40pm and arriving in Asmara at 9:20pm. Also Egypt Air has a flight from London to Asmara.
In Asmara we stay at the luxury 5-star Inter-Continental Hotel
TUESDAY OCTOBER 28: (B-L-D) Afternoon visit to the Eritrean Railway workshops, running shed and yards. This railroad is on 950mm gauge. We have arranged to have all four of their steam locomotives in operation today for photos including the three
0-4-4-0 Mallets. Overnight in Asmara.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29: (B-L-D) Today we have a charter Fiat railcar and steam passenger train run from Asmara down the mountain to the Red Sea port of Massawa with plenty of photo run-bys. This is a distance of 75 miles. Overnight in Massawa.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 30: (B-L-D) We start the long steep climb back up into the mountains towards Asmara today. We will have our charter railcar and following a few minutes behind us will be our charter steam train. Today we will only run half way to Asmara so that we will have plenty of time to stage many
spectacular photo run-bys on the many bridges and loop on the steep grade. Our charter bus will take us on into Asmara for lodging.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 31: (B-L-D) We return in the morning by bus to our two charters and reboard to continue the climb towards summit and on down into Asmara, again with plenty of photo run-bys. Overnight in Asmara.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1: (B-L-D) Morning charter steam Asmara to summit and return with two trains..One will be our passenger train and one a cargo train. Plenty of photo run-bys with both trains. Late afternoon sightseeing tour of Asmara before going to the airport to catch the Lufthansa flight back to Germany.
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