Kalistani Major History

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First miles of Ananto Rail line being Laid
Project to initially focus on link to Dahriel to Luxon
Dahriel, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 20, 5463


Dahriel Station is will soon connect to Luxon by Maglev Rail

With the initial capital raised from public and private sources, and a new publicly owned, privately managed and operated company called AnantoRail formed, engineers and construction workers are beginning to lay tracks for what will someday become the last major link in the National Rail Line. The first tracks are being laid between Dahriel and Luxon in the Grand Duchy of Ananto, and residents of the Island are finally looking forward to joining the rest of the nation with modern transportation infrastructure. The rail line has been in the planning phases for nearly a century and a quarter, and it seems that each time a start is made on the process, it hits some roadblock.

"But we finally have all the pieces in place to actually begin construction on what will likely be the most expensive undertaking Kalistan has ever put together," said Doris Martin, General Project Overseer for Ananto Rail. "The funding is in place, through public and private financing to construct just about 200 miles of track in the first go. That will permit the construction of the maglev track from Dahriel to Luxon, which is just about 173 miles apart. As we build this link, we will continue raising funds for the next part of the construction, from Luxon to Kaliburg, which is more than twice that distance."

The National Assembly voice voted a bill that would allow imminent domain to be claimed along the right of way for the track. "We are attempting to cut costs by maintaining current infrastructure in place," said Martin, "but we will obviously be building a number of bridges for waterways and animal migration paths, so as to reduce damage to the ecosystem and to wildlife habitats. The land between Dahriel and Luxon is one of the least populated parts of the Empire, so it is our hope to run along the existing highway, using the wildlife points that system has set up to protect wildlife in the area. Where possible, especially in areas adjacent to forests, we will build the track as an elevated rail, so that animals may pass freely underneath, and neither wildlife nor train will pose a threat to each other. As in all things, this adds to the cost and will lengthen construction costs."

The stretch of track is expected to take three years to complete, if winters pass as normal, and should be opened for passenger transit in 5466. Meanwhile, construction on a new central station in Kaliburg will begin next year. The Current Kaliburg Station near the Mall is expected to be fully renovated and retrofitted for Maglev trains, that are expected to replace terrestrial trains. A new Maglev line will be build upon the existing infrastructure in Kaliburg, and upon leaving the city, the Maglev will connect over the Davon Mountains to Eveari, while another line will head to Dulnerstaad, and a third line will begin making its way toward Luxon.

"This project will be very expensive," said Martin, "But the capital campaign was considered a success, and initial start up funds are raised. Now that this project has finally left the planning board and is being turned into real miles of track, we are expecting more investors to come on board. Foreign investment would be nice, but we aren't holding our breath for that, especially since countries who are interested in investing in projects overseas tend to like to own those things, and that is quite impossible here."

Martin said, if all goes as planned, funds will be raised and all track will be completed in Ananto within 15 years. "There are lots of moving parts to manage here, but at least we now have them all beginning to fit together. It is the engineering project of a lifetime. We propose to complete it in less than two decades."