![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PJKPFZS2RIKXNFV7CI52O6KIFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88fedbaf5f6b980ecb0ec8ea1b7f6d85969030e45bb0202dbe4b6bab0747fdcd&width=400&height=225)
An Etihad Rail train carries sulphur through the desert along the existing track
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TPYINHPIPPF6FAMATWJ4DOCUWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=725592c75af1b31f9901507c72f458d86d666eb5a3f077d15f4339cb9a48b0a5&width=400&height=225)
A CGI rendering of what the new tunnel will look like. All photos courtesy Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7LZLNNHLJQPUFTJPWVLIGKBHI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=da1f782cdda42877f3442d7853434fc7003698e11048f08b6a9bf942917496ad&width=400&height=225)
Freight trains will travel through the mountain on a direct route to Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KYU6LQ3WFHRHAR3BAQDAZJYM2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8877651c8eafc35c10fa853b20033a918b47216bb922e6717803e78d9896150&width=400&height=225)
Crews are carving a path through the Hajar Mountains
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TWJMXSGPAV2SIAJIMEIWRAIGEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a5d192a7c125db776d1f3dc47c2d6ad14830fbcb11ce7a80b71bfc5157ab0557&width=400&height=225)
Screen shots taken from the Etihad Rail promo video show a digger beginning tunnelling work
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z5XTHVHRUERAHLLCYGL4OXAYIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3830bc820ef7ce699177276ebb3a7d871899611d607b6f3703dc8fc6adb699c9&width=400&height=225)
Screen shots of the current work site taken from the Etihad Rail promo video
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PJKPFZS2RIKXNFV7CI52O6KIFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88fedbaf5f6b980ecb0ec8ea1b7f6d85969030e45bb0202dbe4b6bab0747fdcd&width=400&height=225)
An Etihad Rail train carries sulphur through the desert along the existing track
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TPYINHPIPPF6FAMATWJ4DOCUWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=725592c75af1b31f9901507c72f458d86d666eb5a3f077d15f4339cb9a48b0a5&width=400&height=225)
A CGI rendering of what the new tunnel will look like. All photos courtesy Etihad Rail
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7LZLNNHLJQPUFTJPWVLIGKBHI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=da1f782cdda42877f3442d7853434fc7003698e11048f08b6a9bf942917496ad&width=400&height=225)
Freight trains will travel through the mountain on a direct route to Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KYU6LQ3WFHRHAR3BAQDAZJYM2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8877651c8eafc35c10fa853b20033a918b47216bb922e6717803e78d9896150&width=400&height=225)
Crews are carving a path through the Hajar Mountains
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TWJMXSGPAV2SIAJIMEIWRAIGEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a5d192a7c125db776d1f3dc47c2d6ad14830fbcb11ce7a80b71bfc5157ab0557&width=400&height=225)
Screen shots taken from the Etihad Rail promo video show a digger beginning tunnelling work
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z5XTHVHRUERAHLLCYGL4OXAYIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3830bc820ef7ce699177276ebb3a7d871899611d607b6f3703dc8fc6adb699c9&width=400&height=225)
Screen shots of the current work site taken from the Etihad Rail promo video
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PJKPFZS2RIKXNFV7CI52O6KIFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88fedbaf5f6b980ecb0ec8ea1b7f6d85969030e45bb0202dbe4b6bab0747fdcd&width=400&height=225)
An Etihad Rail train carries sulphur through the desert along the existing track
UAE's railway from Dubai to Fujairah on track as crews dig through Hajar Mountains
At least 15 tunnels and 35 bridges will allow trains to connect between Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
09 September, 2020
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