Six Iraqi railroad officials visited Union Pacific Corp. and Amtrak facilities this week as they review technology to help rebuild the Middle Eastern country’s rail system. Modern communications systems, equipment to rebuild tracks and locomotives are among items that interest officials from the Iraq Republic Railways Co., said Dan Stein of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Visiting Union Pacific and Amtrak allows them to see that equipment in action, Stein said. Some rails in Iraq were damaged during the war, but the country also had failed to invest in its railroad system, Stein said. About $200 million has been earmarked by Congress to help rebuild Iraq’s rail system, Stein said. The Iraqis, including the director general of the Iraq Republic Railways Co., Salam J. Salom, spent three days in Chicago before taking Amtrak to Omaha and visiting Union Pacific facilities Thursday and Friday. The Iraqi delegation will meet Monday in Washington, D.C., with executives from companies like General Electric and General Motors as they look for equipment, Stein said.
Please model the new rail system after UP and not Amtrak! |