Watch: Sheikh Mohammed seen inside a train as UAE national railway network is launched

The UAE Vice-President, Sheikhs and other leaders have been filmed boarding a swanky Etihad passenger train as the country announced the launch of its national railway network.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday tweeted a series of photos, one of which showed him inside a train. A video showed him boarding the passenger train at the main centre for control and maintenance in Al Fayah, Abu Dhabi. He is seen listening to a briefing about the project inside the train.

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Sheikh Mohammed said: "UAE today successfully launched the national railway network. It connects four major ports in the country and seven logistical areas, and transports 60 million tonnes of goods annually. Our train network enhances our economy."

Calling the network a national strategic project, Sheikh Mohammed said it will have an economic impact of Dh200 billion until 2050. "It was accomplished with the cooperation of 180 federal and local authorities who worked 133 million working hours."

Etihad Rail is the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network.

During the epic National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi last year, the first prototype of the passenger train rolled in, as the audience - that included Their Highnesses the UAE President, Vice-President and Rulers of the Emirates - waved and cheered.

Etihad Rail's passenger services will connect 11 cities in the UAE. With top speeds of 200kmph, passengers can travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 50 minutes, and from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah in 100. The trains are expected to reduce commute times by up to 40 per cent. Though an exact date has not been specified for its launch, by 2030, the number of passengers is expected to reach more than 36.5 million annually.

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