Azerbaijan Railways facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Azerbaijan Railways

Type	Closed joint-stock company
Industry	Transport
Founded	2009; 16 years ago (2009)
Headquarters	Baku , Azerbaijan
Area served	Azerbaijan, CIS Countries, Eastern Europe, Asia
Key people	Rovshan Rustamov
Services	Rail Transport
Operating income	₼ 323,372,000 (2024)
Owner	Republic of Azerbaijan, (Parent Company AZCON Holding)
Number of employees	+17,000
Subsidiaries	ADY Express ADY Container

Azerbaijan railway map 2023
Overview
Dates of operation	1991–current
Predecessor	Russian Imperial Railways 1878–1917 Soviet Railways 1917–1991
Technical
Track gauge	1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in)
Electrification	3 kV (3,000 V) DC
Length	2,918 km (1,813 mi)

The modern Stadler ESh-020 electric train at a station in Baku.

A double-decker Stadler ESh2 train at Bakikhanov Station.

This map shows the train lines for the Baku suburban railway and the metro system.

Azerbaijan Railways (in the local language: Azərbaycan Dəmir Yolları) is the national railway company of Azerbaijan. It is owned and run by the government. The company manages all the train lines in the country.

The railway network is 2,918 km (1,813 mi) long. Most of the tracks use a 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in) gauge, which is a standard size in the region. The trains are powered by electricity. The main office for Azerbaijan Railways is located in Baku, the capital city.

The company was officially created in 1991 after Azerbaijan became an independent country. Before that, its railways were part of the larger Soviet Union's system. The very first railway in Azerbaijan was built back in 1878.

Today, the railway system has 176 stations. Some stations, like Biləcəri and Şirvan, are fully automated. This means computers help run the station smoothly. Other stations are specially equipped to handle large shipping containers.

History of the Railways

The beautifully renovated Baku Railway Station.

The story of Azerbaijan's railways is long and interesting. It shows how the country has grown and changed over time.

The First Train Tracks (1878–1917)

The very first railway in Azerbaijan was built in 1878, when the country was part of the Russian Empire. It opened in 1880 and connected different areas just outside of Baku. This first line was very important for the local oil industry.

In 1883, the first long-distance line opened, connecting Baku all the way to Tbilisi in the neighboring country of Georgia. By 1900, the railway connected Azerbaijan to the rest of the Russian Empire, making it easier to travel and trade.

Soviet Era and Electrification (1917–1991)

A 2TE10M locomotive, built during the Soviet era, is still used for hauling cargo.

After 1917, Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union. The railways became part of the Soviet Railways system. A big change during this time was the switch to electric power.

In 1926, the line between Baku and Sabunçu became the first electric railway in the entire Soviet Union. Using electricity from Azerbaijan's rivers was a huge step forward.

Over the years, more lines were built. In 1941, a new line connected the main part of Azerbaijan with its exclave of Nakhchivan. An exclave is a part of a country that is separated from the main territory.

An Independent Railway (1991–Present)

An E2M62 electric locomotive at Baku station before it was modernized.

A modern, double-decker Stadler KISS train at Xırdalan station.

An Alstom Prima AZ4A locomotive, used for the international train to Tbilisi.

When Azerbaijan became independent in 1991, it formed its own national railway company.

Due to a long-standing conflict with neighboring Armenia, some railway lines that passed through certain regions had to be closed. This included the main line to Nakhchivan.

Today, Azerbaijan Railways is focused on modernizing. They are buying new, faster trains and upgrading the tracks. One of the most important projects was the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, which created a direct train link between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.

In 2019, a new commuter train service called the Baku suburban railway was launched. It connects the capital city of Baku with nearby towns like Sabunçu and Sumgait.

What Do the Trains Carry?

Azerbaijan's trains are busy carrying both goods and people all across the country and beyond.

Transporting Goods

A lot of the cargo moved by train is oil products from the Caspian Sea. Trains also carry building materials, grain for food, and many other important goods.

Transporting People

Passenger trains are a popular way to travel in Azerbaijan. There are several main routes connecting Baku with other major cities.

• Baku to Aghstafa: This train stops at cities like Ganja and Tovuz.
• Baku to Gabala: A route that connects the capital with the scenic city of Gabala.
• Baku to Balakan: This train travels to the northwestern part of the country, stopping at Shaki and Zagatala.
• Baku to Gazakh: A fast regional train that has made travel to the city of Gazakh much quicker.

The number of people using trains has been growing.

Connecting with Other Countries

Azerbaijan's railways are an important link between Asia and Europe. Here are the connections to its neighbors:

• Russia - Open - The tracks are the same size, so trains can cross the border easily.
• Georgia - Open - This is a key link for the route to Turkey and the Black Sea.
• Iran - Open - A connection exists through the Nakhchivan exclave. A new direct link is also being built.
• Turkey - Open - The Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway opened in 2017, creating a direct connection.
• Armenia - Closed - All railway links are closed due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

Major Railway Projects

Azerbaijan is part of several big international projects to create "transport corridors." These are special routes designed to make it faster and cheaper to move goods between continents.

North-South Corridor

This route is designed to connect India and Iran with Russia and Northern Europe. Using this corridor can cut shipping time from 60 days by sea to just 25 days by train.

The Middle Corridor

Also known as the Trans-Caspian route, this corridor helps move goods from China to Turkey and the European Union. A train on this route can get from China to Europe in only 10-12 days, which is very fast.

Other Important Corridors

• North-West Corridor: Uses the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to transport goods like coal and grain between Russia and Turkey.
• South-West Corridor: Connects Iran and India with Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Ukraine, providing another path to Europe.
• Lapis Lazuli Corridor: A project connecting Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey to improve trade in the region.

See also

In Spanish: Azərbaycan Dəmir Yolları para niños

• Azerbaijan
• Rail transport in Azerbaijan
• Transport in Azerbaijan
• Chingiz Ildyrym
• Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway
• Zangezur corridor