Rail transport in Nauru

In Nauru, rail transport was used for moving calcium pyrophosphate from the island's interior to the cantilever jetties on the island's western coast. For this purpose, a 3.9 km (2.4 mi) long, 610 mm (2 ft) gauge was built by the Pacific Phosphate Company in 1907. The line passed through the districts of Aiwo, Buada, Denigomodu, Nibok, Uaboe and Anibare.

History

The railway at Aiwo jetty was electrified in 1912, but replaced by a conveyor belt between the storage bins and the jetty head.[1]

The gauge was upgraded to 914 mm (3 ft) by the British Phosphate Commission in 1920. In the past, steam engines were used to power the trains, later worked by diesel engines, though occasionally, a tractor was used.

The railway was still operational as of 2008, although operations are believed to have ceased after 2011.[2][3] In March 2025, Nauru officials met with the Indian railway contractor Unirail to discuss 'cost-effective' methods of phosphate transportation, including the potential restoration of Nauru's railway system.[4]

Nauru's phosphate trains were featured on several Nauru stamps, including a series from 1980 (Yvert no. 211-213) and another one from 1985 (Yvert no. 306, Scott no. 308).

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rail transport in Nauru.
  1. ^ "Railways in Nauru and Ocean Island". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 94, no. 578. Westminster: Railway Publishing Co. November–December 1948. p. 411.
  2. ^ "Things to Do in Nauru". VirtualTourist.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Railways in Nauru". www.sinfin.net. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  4. ^ "Nauru officials meet Indian railway contractor to discuss 'cost-effective' phosphate transportation". RNZ. 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
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