The construction of the first high-speed line in a desert area began in 2011. It connects Mecca and Medina, the two most important holy cities of Islam. Millions of pilgrims and tourists will be able to cover the 444-kilometre distance in only about two hours. Technically challenging: a quarter of the route is threatened by siltation. The low maintenance requirements and the multiple testing of the RHEDA 2000® system were therefore decisive for the selection of the system. The high-speed line was opened in January 2018.

RHEDA 2000® installed on the rail line Mecca-Medina (Saudi-Arabia)

RHEDA 2000® concrete sleepers for the rail line Mecca-Medina (Saudi-Arabia) are waiting to be installed

Installation of RHEDA 2000® in the rail line Mecca-Medina (Saudi-Arabia)

RHEDA 2000® installed on the rail line Mecca-Medina (Saudi-Arabia)

Project details:

Temperatures in the desert region fluctuate between extremes of -10°C and +55°C
The operating speed is up to 320 km/h
The rest of the line was equipped with ballast sleepers that can be flexibly adapted to the ground
RAILONE's scope of supply comprised approx. 210,000 RHEDA 2000® sleepers and approx. 500,000 ballast sleepers, manufactured in the concrete sleeper plant in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
In addition, RAILONE supplies sleepers for the high-speed points, which are also built in RHEDA 2000® ballastless track, and supports the project team on site with additional engineering services relating to special issues regarding the planning, construction, and maintenance of ballastless track systems