![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JR4AEFHKRVJE7WIEP472SA3QU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e003dc02874b5b8eb1c3e4d81ded4dd80f09b660cbe125f0737a56eb06d3107&width=400&height=225)
Located a few kilometres inland in a large open expanse, two train tracks which serve Etihad Rail span 264km
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5QBRV4L63J2G4QET5LUR3TBVQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=52d33e74875f656dbca981bfd1f3b0062aa9359958bb07f5b7f502c4a88f24c1&width=400&height=225)
The Etihad Rail network will stretch from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah when complete
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y6HHHGM55VI74ACC3MBV4ACTNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f9bd841d14dac547329b7ae511af81d96df3c9e4b3fe50eeafa54759803a6cb&width=400&height=225)
Maithaa Al Remeithi is Etihad Rail's first female train controller. All pictures by Victor Besa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OAIVRDBC2KMOMR6HKMFGNFWN6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=bac1bad6f7aaab53e70e425236a6765319c06139e5a312047f694f44bff5a648&width=400&height=225)
Maithaa Al Remeithi has turned a childhood love of trains into her dream career
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GX5NOY2BAMBFXB4IXZP5PATO64.jpg?smart=true&auth=4fb0a3e33cb7ebf84d4babf5207f6b2f8ca6a80ac340be2a231ca4e96e105077&width=400&height=225)
Maithaa Al Remeithi plays an integral role in the UAE's rail sector
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4QRF4ZQRQ2FTFJGMXSMPMIW3ME.jpg?smart=true&auth=e0f85fae7ef9b48d096de72798d7838f17b05f9fed8498a56350123f650e2cb1&width=400&height=225)
Each day, two freight trains leave the depot at Etihad Rail to transport granulated sulphur from gasfields in Shah and Habshan to an export point in Ruwais
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M4FFUROZXDM2JINCJK5PWUPPLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=07983de65c4eec84f368805143158b2f28eec0d8741d19900f0542355bf01c59&width=400&height=225)
The depot in Mirfa serves as the centre of operations for Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VX3NK6Y57DT4TQGXYGWZ4JZREI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b867a68c1b98601f96f1fae1fe86bbf539ce21cd3b70bc3f8ce59edc8d369683&width=400&height=225)
Any one train can take up to 110 wagons, can travel at speeds of 120 kilometres an hour and, at full length, can reach about 1.2km
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JXCGTFWVI33OKPCPXZVYFFYKZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b22392e0e9caae8b539c9bf80ca8d8e208905042ba7d248abda5ee56ba25b7fe&width=400&height=225)
It is full speed ahead for Etihad Rail's expansion plans
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JR4AEFHKRVJE7WIEP472SA3QU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e003dc02874b5b8eb1c3e4d81ded4dd80f09b660cbe125f0737a56eb06d3107&width=400&height=225)
Located a few kilometres inland in a large open expanse, two train tracks which serve Etihad Rail span 264km
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5QBRV4L63J2G4QET5LUR3TBVQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=52d33e74875f656dbca981bfd1f3b0062aa9359958bb07f5b7f502c4a88f24c1&width=400&height=225)
The Etihad Rail network will stretch from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah when complete
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y6HHHGM55VI74ACC3MBV4ACTNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f9bd841d14dac547329b7ae511af81d96df3c9e4b3fe50eeafa54759803a6cb&width=400&height=225)
Maithaa Al Remeithi is Etihad Rail's first female train controller. All pictures by Victor Besa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OAIVRDBC2KMOMR6HKMFGNFWN6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=bac1bad6f7aaab53e70e425236a6765319c06139e5a312047f694f44bff5a648&width=400&height=225)
Maithaa Al Remeithi has turned a childhood love of trains into her dream career
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GX5NOY2BAMBFXB4IXZP5PATO64.jpg?smart=true&auth=4fb0a3e33cb7ebf84d4babf5207f6b2f8ca6a80ac340be2a231ca4e96e105077&width=400&height=225)
Maithaa Al Remeithi plays an integral role in the UAE's rail sector
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4QRF4ZQRQ2FTFJGMXSMPMIW3ME.jpg?smart=true&auth=e0f85fae7ef9b48d096de72798d7838f17b05f9fed8498a56350123f650e2cb1&width=400&height=225)
Each day, two freight trains leave the depot at Etihad Rail to transport granulated sulphur from gasfields in Shah and Habshan to an export point in Ruwais
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M4FFUROZXDM2JINCJK5PWUPPLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=07983de65c4eec84f368805143158b2f28eec0d8741d19900f0542355bf01c59&width=400&height=225)
The depot in Mirfa serves as the centre of operations for Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VX3NK6Y57DT4TQGXYGWZ4JZREI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b867a68c1b98601f96f1fae1fe86bbf539ce21cd3b70bc3f8ce59edc8d369683&width=400&height=225)
Any one train can take up to 110 wagons, can travel at speeds of 120 kilometres an hour and, at full length, can reach about 1.2km
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JXCGTFWVI33OKPCPXZVYFFYKZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b22392e0e9caae8b539c9bf80ca8d8e208905042ba7d248abda5ee56ba25b7fe&width=400&height=225)
It is full speed ahead for Etihad Rail's expansion plans
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JR4AEFHKRVJE7WIEP472SA3QU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e003dc02874b5b8eb1c3e4d81ded4dd80f09b660cbe125f0737a56eb06d3107&width=400&height=225)
Located a few kilometres inland in a large open expanse, two train tracks which serve Etihad Rail span 264km
Etihad Rail: Meet the UAE's first female train controller
A childhood fascination with trains developed into a career for Maithaa Al Remeithi
![Kelly Clarke](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0d1398b1-947f-4bc8-a663-69c6b02cb849.png?smart=true&auth=168c867e0c9f9e3320a65ec2cb755dfde78d4c07327944646c4aad65792033ee&width=70&height=70)
Kelly Clarke
17 November, 2020
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic