Until I stick a map in here the following is an outline of the railway. The line starts in the south at Marrakesh in the Atlas mountains and runs all of 936 km to Oujda on the Algerian Border. From Marrakech it single track to Casablanca with a branch to Safi (143km) at Benguerir (km 74).

There is then a branch from Casablanca (KM 257) to Oued Zem which is 185 km long. From Casablanca there are two branches to the Airport and to El Jadida (123 km long. Local services (3 or 6 car EMU's) from both of these run through generally to Kenitra (KM 386) via Rabat (KM 346). The line is double track from Casablanca to Sidi Kacem (KM 452) from where the 206 km diesel worked branch to Tanger branches off.

The main line continues to Meknes (KM 526) and Fez (KM582) from whence it reverts to diesel haulage as far as Oujda (KM 936) on the Algerian Border. Apart from this line from Fez to Oujda and the Tanger branch all trains are electrically hauled.

Service frequency is a minimum of two hourly on the main line and with freqencies on the local service Corridor from Casablanca to Kenitra as frequent as every fifteen minutes in peak and 30 minutes for the rest of the day. Mainline trains are heavyweight coaches and length is tailored to meet demand with spare coaches kept at each station and it is not unusual to have trains of fourteen coaches and fourteen hundred passengers!

All in all, it is a very well run, fast,(140 km line speed) efficient railway with immaculate stations and trains.

The front of Tanger Railway Station is more like a palace. It is immaculate and beautiful.

A modern departure board.

A good looking clock.

The foyer of Tanger station. Absolutely immaculate.

More like a palace than a railway station.

Entrance to the tracks.

View of the station building from the departure platforms. Stunning is the only word to describe it.

Modern Heavyweight Rolling Stock of about 1994.

The diesel lines are worked by GE Alsthom diesels. Electric Power is provided by a Royaud diesel in a generator cum baggage car.

Loco side.

Leaving Tangier for Sidi Kacem the countryside is green and fertile.

The line bends near the sea where there are superb beaches.

One Man transport extremely common still.

Typical rural station.

An on time meet as they all are.

Well ballasted track.

More track.

A mechanic travels on every train enhancing reliability and punctuality.

Sleepers on older lines. Modern are concrete.

The ONCF maintenance "shed" - portable and keeps the sun out!
Sidi Kacem where we change to electric propulsion for the remainder of the trip to Casablanca via Kenitra and Rabat.

Disptaching is by the position of the hat. Stationary like this means no go. Wave means scaramble.

Top of Electric Loco.

Another View.

Catenary is modern and works and is rated for 160 kph. but line speed is still 140 kph.

Most local services are either 3 or 6 car EMUs. Local services run from Kenitra via Rabat and Casablanca to either Casablance Airport or El Jadida.

Coupling.

River crossing.

Its fertile countryside.

Typical rail view.

Freight Wagon.

They still plough by animal.

Our pantograph goes askew.

We limp to the nearest station and three minutes later maintenance arrives.

The coupling joiner - loco and EMU have differences is laid out.

Eight minutes later a huge 5500HP electric arrives from nowhere.

Electric Loco nameplate.

Plenty of help and advice. No demarkations. Everyone helps.

Station control is kept busy.

Points control is interesting.

Another view.

Immaculate Track.

Ready to go. All in all the delay was only 31 minutes. Ireland would not even come near it.

The loco must have been in store as it looks shabby but can you imagine what 5500 HP did with three coaches. I think the driver forgot he had such a little load!

We arrived in El Jadida only 27 minutes down.

Like all ONCF stations El Jadida is immaculate. They could put Ireland to shame.

Ticket office.

At Casablanca an unusual shunter turns up.

One plate says Hunslet.

The other identifies the electrics as BRUSH HAWKER SIDDELEY of 1991.

Another view of the loco.

Lock up your diesel tanks!

Keeping the station pillars clean.

Fastrack is the same the world over except in Morocco they manage to sleep standing up while waiting for the train!

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Casablanca has a busy departure board.

Between Casblanca and Marrakesh the scenery gets more interesting.

Hills start appearing.

Mining starts.

Mountains can be seen.

Modern Islam no longer lives under a nightdress!

Magnificent Sunsets.

Marrakesh Station.

Another view of Marrakesh station.

Catering Crew.

Simple but effective kitchen.

Trolley serves the entire train of up to 14 coaches.

Mohammedia - a typical suburban station, immaculate as always.

Royal Train.

Another View. Only used by the King and rarely.

Speed restrictions have to be signed for.

Rabat Station.

Diesel arriving at Sidi Kacem to take over from the electric and go to Tanger.

Driver and Cab of Diesel.

The Track Maintenance depot afar.

Closeup.

River Crossing near Tanger.

Another Moroccan Beauty.

Track typical between Tanger and Sidi Kacem..

Track from Casablanca to Marrakesh is well maintained.