New prototype railroad with minimum scenery

[jrbarney]

Those of you that don't enjoy building scenery might be interested in a new prototype railroad in the desert. According to an advertising supplement in the 14 September issue of The Washington Post, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is spending $ 2.5 billion to construct a 600 mile railroad to link the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf. It will reduce transit time for freight from seven days by sea to less than 48 hours by train, and will also have high speed passenger trains. In addition to the Riyadh-Jeddah link, there will also be a 70 mile connection between Damman and Jubail. The article states that the project is approaching the tender issuing stage (no pun intended). As part of the plan the existing Saudi Railways Organization will be privatized and the new line will be built on a build-operate-and-transfer concession to a private sector consortium.
Do we currently have any Saudi model railroaders in the audience that can tell us more about the rolling stock and whether the livery will include Arabic and
English nomenclature ?
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[railroadyoshi]

Im not from the Middle east, India rather, but it sure sounds cool

[2021]

Why not run it at night and then you only need track and a headlight.
Ron K.

[West Coast S]

Heck, no need to go foreign, just recreate the Viola branch of the SP, rolling hills and grasslands, very few trees required, Eastern Washington would a good choice as well.

Dave

[Leon Silverman]

The trains going thru the rockies required snow sheds. Will this line require Sand sheds?