Etihad Rail chairman oversees track being laid between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed went on a 10km tour of UAE's latest megaproject

Sheikh Theyab enjoyed a 10km train journey across the fast-developing rail network

Sheikh Theyab checked the latest progress during a 10km trip aboard an inspection and supervision train.

The Etihad Rail project aims to transform the UAE's transport sector and encourage economic growth. All pictures courtesy Abu Dhabi Media Office

The vast rail network will help to connect the emirates

The national rail project will bolster links between ports and key manufacturing, production and residential centres.

At Al Maha Forest area, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed was told how wildlife and natural habitats will be protected during construction work

Sheikh Theyab joined officials at the Etihad Rail site in Seih Shuaib

Sheikh Theyab was briefed on the rapid progress being made in the ambitious scheme

Sheikh Theyab, chairman of Etihad Rail, sampled the growing rail network

Stage two of the national rail project is now well under way

Sheikh Theyab praised UAE leaders for backing the rail project

Etihad Rail: what is the region's biggest train project - and where does it go?

Train track was laid down to connect Dubai and Abu Dhabi in a landmark moment for the two cities.

The work is the latest development in Etihad Rail's freight project, which will eventually connect all seven emirates and the east coast to the Saudi Arabian border.

Etihad Rail chairman Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed visited the site as the country's latest megaproject, which ferries heavy industrial materials, took shape.

Work has gathered pace at the Seih Shuaib site near the border of the two largest emirates.

He reviewed the progress made during a 10km trip aboard an inspection train.

The journey started from the operations centre at Seih Shuaib  and moved in both directions towards Abu Dhabi and Dubai up to Al Maha Forest, where Sheikh Theyab was briefed on measures being put in place to protect wildlife and natural habitats through the construction of bridges, canals and animal crossings.

The first stage of Etihad Rail – linking the gasfields at Shah and Habshan to Ruwais – is already in operation.

Now the second stage of the large-scale scheme – stretching about 1,000km from Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the UAE’s east coast – is advancing rapidly.

Etihad Rail also said in January it started construction of the 139km stretch connecting the existing line at Ruwais to Ghuweifat. About 59 per cent of the project has been completed, it said.

Etihad Rail was created in 2009. Freight is the focus, but its original mandate included a potential passenger element.

It is also envisaged that the UAE lines could form part of a wider GCC rail network.

Sheikh Theyab, also chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, thanked UAE leaders for their support of the project and all local and federal organisations involved in its development.

He said the rail network is designed to provide a safe, reliable and integrated mode of transport and will support economic growth by connecting the country's main ports with industrial, manufacturing and residential centres.