Algiers–Skikda railway

Algiers–Skikda railway
DMU using the Algiers-Skikda line near the East–West Highway in the Bibans
Overview
Stations51
Service
TypeHeavy rail
SystemSNTF
History
Opened1 September 1870 (1870-09-01)
Last extension1886
Technical
Line length540 km (340 mi)
Number of tracksSingle track (270 km) and double-track (281 km)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV AC overhead line from Algiers station to Thénia
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

The Algiers–Skikda railway is one of the two trunk lines in the Algerian railway network, the other being the Algiers–Oran railway. The line hosts passenger services connecting Algiers station with either Annaba or Constantine, the two largest cities in eastern Algeria. The first segment of the line connected Constantine to the port of Skikda and opened on September 1, 1870, remaining isolated from the remainder of the Algerian network until the opening of the Algiers–Constantine section in 1879 and further extensions on November 3, 1886.