View source for Al Boraq

{{Short description|High speed railway in Morocco}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width                       = 300px
| name                            = Al Boraq
| native_name                     = البُراق
| native_name_lang                = ar
| color                           = 
| logo                            = Logo for Al Boraq.png
| logo_width                      = 
| image                           = Al Boraq RGV2N2 at Tanger Ville.jpg
| image_width                     = 300px
| caption                         = An ONCF Al Boraq [[Alstom]] [[Euroduplex|RGV2N2]] high-speed trainset at the [[Tanger-Ville railway station]], November 2018
| type                            = [[High-speed rail]]
| system                          = 
| status                          = Active
| locale                          = Morocco
| start                           = [[Tanger-Ville Railway Terminal]] (Tangiers)
| end                             = [[Casa-Voyageurs Railway Station]] (Casablanca)
| stations                        = 
| routes                          = 
| ridership2                      = &gt; 5 million (2023)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Kevin |title=ONCF ridership and revenue up in 2023 |url=https://www.railjournal.com/financial/oncf-ridership-and-revenue-up-in-2023/ |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=[[International Railway Journal]] |date=March 7, 2024}}</ref>
| open                            = {{start date and age|15 November 2018}}<ref name=open>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/africa-fastest-train-steams-morocco-181115165325722.html|title='Africa's fastest train' steams ahead in Morocco|date=15 November 2018|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref>
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[Morocco]]
| operator                        = [[ONCF]]
| character                       = 
| stock                           = [[Euroduplex]]
| linelength                      = {{convert|350|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 
| gauge                           = {{track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| load_gauge                      = 
| electrification                 = {{Unbulleted list 
   | [[Overhead line]]:
   | {{in5|3}} {{25 kV 50 Hz}}
   | {{in5|3}} {{3,000 V DC}}
   }}
| speed                           = {{convert|320|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = [[file:Railways Morocco.png|300px]]
| map_state                       = collapsed
}}

'''Al Boraq''' ({{Langx|ar|البُراق|translit=al-burāq}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maroc.ma/ar/%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B3-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9|title=صاحب الجلالة الملك محمد السادس يتفضل ويطلق إسم "البراق" على القطار المغربي الفائق السرعة|date=12 July 2018|website=Maroc.ma|language=ar|access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> is a {{convert|323|km|mi|adj=mid|}} [[high-speed rail]] service between [[Casablanca]] and [[Tangier]] in [[Morocco]]. The first of its kind on the African continent, it opened on 15 November 2018 after a decade of planning and construction by [[ONCF]], Morocco's national railway company.

On the {{Cvt|186|km|adj=on}} section from Tangier to [[Kenitra]], trains run on a dedicated high-speed line and travels up to {{convert|320|kph|mph|0|abbr=on|round=}}. For the final {{Cvt|137|km}}, trains run on an upgraded mainline from Kenitra through [[Rabat]] and Morocco’s most populous corridor to Casablanca.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TrainReview's guide to Morocco's Al-Boraq high speed train|url=https://trainreview.com/train/al-boraq|access-date=22 July 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725020337/https://trainreview.com/train/al-boraq|url-status=dead}}</ref>

It is the first phase of the country's planned {{convert|1500|km|mi|0|adj=on}} high-speed rail network.<ref name="irj" />

==Name==
[[Mohammed VI of Morocco|King Mohammed VI of Morocco]] named the service Al Boraq (البُراق) after the [[Buraq|creature in Islamic tradition]] believed to have transported some prophets,<ref name="rg 11/18" /> including the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] from [[Mecca]] to [[Jerusalem]] during the [[Isra and Mi'raj|night journey]].

==History==
Early studies into the feasibility of high-speed rail in Morocco began in 2003, and by 2006 the route between Tangier and Kenitra had been identified as being among the first lines to be constructed.<ref name="rg 5/08">{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/tanger-kenitra-poised-to-start.html | title=Work on Tanger - Kénitra high speed line to start soon | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=14 May 2008 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> In 2007, preliminary agreements to manage the project were signed, and ONCF announced plans to purchase 18 [[Alstom]] [[Train#Terminology|trainsets]].<ref name="rg 5/08"/><ref name="rg 10/07">{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/morocco-to-order-duplex-tgvs.html | title=Morocco to order Duplex TGVs | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=23 October 2007 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> In 2008, ONCF said that it planned to begin construction that year, with operations to begin in 2013.<ref name="rg 5/08"/>
[[File:Al Boraq Tangier.jpg|left|thumb|290x290px|Al Boraq [[Euroduplex|RGV2N2]] in [[Tangier, Morocco|Tangier]].]]
Financing was not finalised until February 2010, when ONCF signed agreements worth 20 billion [[Moroccan dirham|dirhams]] (DH).<ref name="rgi20100218">{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/high-speed-funding-package-agreed.html | title=High speed funding package agreed | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=18 February 2010 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> Direct investments came from the Moroccan government, which allocated DH4.8 billion to the project, and European sources, which invested a total of DH1.9 billion, while the remaining DH12.3 billion came from commercial loans.<ref name="rgi20100218" /> DH10 billion were to be spent on infrastructure, with DH5.6 billion going to supporting equipment and DH4.4 billion to [[rolling stock]].<ref name="rgi20100218" /> At the time, work was expected to start in mid-2010, with service beginning in December 2015.<ref name="rgi20100218" /> In December 2010, ONCF signed a final agreement to purchase 14 Alstom [[Euroduplex]] trainsets.<ref name="duplexorder" /> Following further delays, construction of the line began on 29 September 2011, when a [[Groundbreaking|groundbreaking ceremony]] took place in Tangier.<ref name="rgi20110929">{{cite news | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/ceremony-launches-tanger-casablanca-high-speed-project.html | title=Ceremony launches Tanger – Casablanca high speed project|date=29 September 2011|work=[[Railway Gazette International]]}}</ref>

On 25 September 2012, work began on a project to increase capacity on the trackage between Kenitra and Casablanca by constructing a dedicated freight track in the existing [[Right-of-way (transportation)#Rail right-of-way|right of way]], allowing for passenger trains to access Casablanca from the high-speed line to Tangier.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/casablanca-kenitra-upgrading-starts.html | title=Casablanca – Kénitra upgrading starts | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=26 September 2012 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> In addition to the rail construction, stations in four locations (Tangiers, Kenitra, Rabat/[[Agdal]], and Casablanca) were either constructed from the ground up or rebuilt from existing facilities.<ref name="rg 7/18"/> On 19 June 2015, rolling stock deliveries began with the arrival of the first trainset in Tangier.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/africas-first-high-speed-train-delivered.html | title=Africa's first high speed train delivered | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=1 July 2015 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> In September, the service facility for the trains in Tangier was completed and a joint venture between ONCF and French rail operator [[SNCF]] was established to maintain the trains for a 15-year contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/tanger-high-speed-train-depot-inaugurated.html | title=Tanger high speed train depot inaugurated | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=21 September 2015 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> In February 2017, testing of the trains at revenue speeds began; during the test program, an African rail speed record of {{convert|357|kph|mph}} was set.<ref name="rg 7/18">{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/africa/single-view/view/moroccos-al-boraq-high-speed-service-to-launch-by-year-end.html | title=Morocco's Al Boraq high speed service to launch by year end | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=30 July 2018 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Al Boraq Vitesse.jpg|left|thumb|203x203px|An on-board train speed reading 312 km/h.]]
In October 2017, track construction was completed, followed by installation of the new electric [[Catenary (rail)|catenary]] that November.<ref name="irj">{{cite web | url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/oncf-prepares-for-launch-of-high-speed-services/ | title=ONCF prepares for launch of high-speed services | publisher=International Rail Journal | date=12 March 2018 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> The electrical system was energised for the first time in January 2018, and the line's control facility came online the following month.<ref name="irj"/> By mid-2018, the stations had been completed, though the expected entry into service was pushed back to the end of the year, as trial runs over the route had yet to be operated.<ref name="irj"/><ref name="rg 7/18"/>

On 15 November 2018, the Al Boraq service was inaugurated at a Tangier ceremony on a special train that traveled to Rabat; revenue service was to begin by the end of the year.<ref name="rg 11/18">{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/africa/single-view/view/africas-first-high-speed-line-inaugurated.html | title=Africa's first high speed line inaugurated | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=16 November 2018 | access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> By 25 December 2018, trains were scheduled to depart Casablanca every two hours from 06:00 until 21:00.

The inauguration of the high-speed rail service also came with the opening of several new or renovated train stations: [[Tanger-Ville Railway Terminal]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tanja24.com/news34246.html|title=محطة القطار بطنجة تفتح أبوابها استعدادا لإنطلاق البراق|date=19 November 2018|website=طنجة 24|language=ar|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> Kenitra Station,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hespress.com/art-et-culture/444264.html|title=محطة القطار في القنيطرة تنتزع "جائزة فرساي"|website=Hespress|date=14 September 2019 |language=ar|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> [[Rabat-Agdal Station]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/ebusiness/2018/11/15/المغرب-وفرنسا-يدشنان-البراق-أسرع-قطار-في-أفريقيا|title=المغرب وفرنسا يدشنان "البراق".. أسرع قطار في أفريقيا|website=www.aljazeera.net|language=ar|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref> and [[Casa-Voyageurs Railway Station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.2m.ma/ar/news/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A9-36-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%85-20190502/|title=فيديو: افتتاح محطة القطار الجديدة بتمارة بتكلفة 36 مليون درهم|website=2M|language=ar|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

In January 2022, [[Mohamed Abdeljalil]], Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, announced that the Al-Boraq network would eventually terminate in [[Agadir]] and announced the construction of a high-speed line which would connect Agadir with [[Marrakesh]].<ref name="marrakeshext">{{cite web | url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353710/moroccos-high-speed-train-trial-run-finishes-in-marrakech | title=Morocco's High-Speed Train Trial Run Finishes in Marrakech | publisher=Morocco World News | date=25 January 2023 | access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref> In November 2022, Abdeljalil announced the construction of dedicated high-speed tracks that would connect Marrakesh to the original line via Kenitra.<ref name="marrakeshext" /> The construction is to take place in three segments, with the {{convert|150|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} segment connecting Kenitra with [[Aïn Sebaâ]] to be constructed first. Then a {{convert|130|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} extension will be built from Aïn Sebaâ to [[Nouaceur]], and then finally the construction of new tracks from Nouaceur to Marrakesh, with the cities {{Cvt|212|km}} apart.<ref name="marrakeshext" /> Tests were run on the current tracks from Casablanca to Marrakesh in January 2023, reaching {{convert|80|kph|mph}}. The plan is to continue to test the current tracks between Casablanca and Marrakesh, with ONCF hoping that a top speed of {{convert|160|kph|mph}} can be reached safely.<ref name="marrakeshext" />

==Infrastructure==
The line is made up of two sections—a new route from Tangier to Kenitra and an upgrade of the existing route from Kenitra to Casablanca.<ref name=rgi20110929/> The {{convert|186|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} Tangier–Kenitra line has a top speed of {{convert|320|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}}, while the {{convert|137|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} Kenitra–Casablanca line was rated for {{convert|160|kph|mph|abbr=on|round=}} when service began, with a planned upgrade to {{convert|220|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="rg 11/18"/> The trackage from Kenitra to Casablanca is to be eventually replaced by a new high-speed right of way, with construction scheduled to begin in 2020.<ref name="rg 11/18"/> Two electrification types are used—from Tangier to Kenitra, the new trackage was built with {{25 kV 50 Hz}} electrification while the line from Kenitra to Casablanca retained the existing {{3,000 V DC}} catenary.<ref name="rg 11/18"/> The [[ETCS]]-type signal system was installed by [[Ansaldo STS]] and [[Cofely Ineo]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/projects-infrastructure/single-view/view/tanger-kenitra-high-speed-line-signalling-contract-signed.html | title=Tanger - Kénitra high speed line signalling contract signed | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=4 April 2013 | access-date=5 April 2013}}</ref>

At service launch in 2018, travel time between Casablanca and Tangier dropped from 4 hours and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 10 minutes.<ref name="rg 11/18"/> Completion of dedicated high-speed trackage to Casablanca would further reduce travel time to 1 hour and 30 minutes.<ref name="rg 11/18"/>

==Rolling stock==
The twelve (14 were originally ordered) [[Euroduplex|Alstom Euroduplex]] trainsets operating on the line are [[Bilevel rail car|bilevel]] and have a passenger capacity of 533.<ref name=duplexorder>{{cite web | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/oncf-to-buy-14-duplex-high-speed-trains.html | title=ONCF to buy 14 Duplex high speed trains | work=[[Railway Gazette International]]| date=10 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="rg 11/18" /> Each trainset is composed of two [[power car]]s and eight [[Passenger railroad car|passenger cars]] (two [[First class travel|first-class]] cars, five second-class cars, and a [[buffet car]]).<ref name="duplexorder"/><gallery mode="packed">
File:ONCF TGV.jpg|ONCF [[Euroduplex|RGV2N2]].
File:Al Boraq Train Ticket.jpg|Train ticket from Tangier to Casablanca
File:Al boraq first class.jpg|View of first-class seats
File:ONCF Al Boraq Second Class.jpg|View of second-class seats
</gallery>[[ONCF]] also operates regular trains with newer [[Alstom]] E 1400 ([[Alstom Prima|Prima II]]) locomotives and ex-SNCF [[Corail (train)|corail]] coaches.<ref>{{Citation |title=Sleeper train in Morocco! Marrakech to Tangier by night train |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPPJysxmLY |language=en |access-date=2023-01-03}}</ref><gallery mode="packed">
File:MORACCAN RAILWAYS ONCF ALTSTOM ELECTRIC LOCO AT TANGER GARE MOROCCO APRIL 2013 (8695967578).jpg|[[ONCF]] [[Alstom]] [[Alstom Prima|E 1400]] locomotive used for regular services at [[Tangier, Morocco|Tangier]].
File:ONCF 1400 locomotive at Tanger Ville towards Casablanca, April 2013 (8695766964).jpg|[[ONCF]] [[Alstom]] [[Alstom Prima|E 1400]] locomotive used for regular services headed towards [[Casablanca]].
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Transport in Morocco]]
* [[Alstom Prima|Alstom E 1400]]
* [[Corail (train)|Corail]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{High-speed rail}}
{{High-speed railway lines}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Railway lines in Morocco]]
[[Category:High-speed rail in Morocco]]
[[Category:25 kV AC railway electrification]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in Morocco]]