ZBFR Overseas Project Case Study: The "Steel Guardians" on the Dammam–Riyadh Railway
In Saudi Arabia, where daily temperature swings can exceed 30°C and harsh sandstorms are relentless, just how much strain must a railway fastening system endure? Back in 2015, when the first batch of fasteners bearing the ZhongBo label were loaded into containers bound for the Persian Gulf, few could have predicted that these seemingly ordinary steel components would prove to be such remarkable "long-distance runners" in the Saudi desert. Today, we share our story with the Dammam–Riyadh Railway – a tale of the steadfast "Steel Guardians" holding the line in the sands.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia primarily features three main railway networks: the North Railway Network, the East Railway Network, and the Haramain High-Speed Rail. These networks serve regions that concentrate approximately three-quarters of the kingdom's population and over half of its economic activity. The Dammam–Riyadh Railway forms part of this crucial East Railway Network.
The East Railway is a 733-kilometer dual-track passenger line connecting Riyadh and Dammam, passing through Al-Hasa and Buqayq. Additionally, its 550-kilometer freight line links the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam with the Riyadh Dry Port, serving key locations including Al-Hasa, Buqayq, Al Khobar, Al-Kharj, Harad, and Wadi al-Wasee.
Much of the project traverses deep into the desert: