The National Rail Transportation Company (french: Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires, abbreviated SNTF; ar, الشركة الوطنية للنّقل بالسّكك الحديدية) is

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

's national

railway Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

operator. The SNTF, a state-owned company, currently has a

monopoly A monopoly (from Greek el, μόνος, mónos, single, alone, label=none and el, πωλεῖν, pōleîn, to sell, label=none), as described by Irving Fisher, is a market with the "absence of competition", creating a situation where a speci ...

over Algeria's rail network of , although it is currently utilising only . Out of the total railway network, are ( of these are

electrified Electrification is the process of powering by electricity and, in many contexts, the introduction of such power by changing over from an earlier power source. The broad meaning of the term, such as in the history of technology, economic history ...

) and are

narrow gauge A narrow-gauge railway (narrow-gauge railroad in the US) is a railway with a track gauge narrower than standard . Most narrow-gauge railways are between and . Since narrow-gauge railways are usually built with tighter curves, smaller structu ...

(as of 2008).

History

The beginnings

The history of the railway in Algeria began with the colonisation of the country by

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

. On 8 April 1857, a

decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state (such as the president of a republic or a monarch), according to certain procedures (usually established in a constitution). It has the force of law. The particular term used ...

ordered the creation of of railways, beginning with the construction of a standard gauge line from Algiers to

Blida Blida ( ar, البليدة; Tamazight: Leblida) is a city in Algeria. It is the capital of Blida Province, and it is located about 45 km south-west of Algiers, the national capital. The name ''Blida'', i.e. ''bulaydah'', is a diminutive ...

, which started on 12 December, 1859. The French

private company A privately held company (or simply a private company) is a company whose shares and related rights or obligations are not offered for public subscription or publicly negotiated in the respective listed markets, but rather the company's stock is ...

''Compagnie des chemins de fer algériens'' started working on the line with the help of the

French army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...

on 11 July 1860. Around the same time, the company obtained permission to create an Oran- Sig line and a

Constantine Constantine most often refers to: * Constantine the Great, Roman emperor from 306 to 337, also known as Constantine I *Constantine, Algeria, a city in Algeria Constantine may also refer to: People * Constantine (name), a masculine given name ...

Skikda Skikda ( ar, سكيكدة; formerly Philippeville from 1838 to 1962 and Rusicade in ancient times) is a city in northeastern Algeria and a port on the Mediterranean. It is the capital of Skikda Province and Skikda District. History The Phoeni ...

line. However, due to economic difficulties, only the Algiers-Blida line was finished, and it was subsequently opened to the public on 8 September 1862. Afterwards, 5 other companies started the construction of new lines: *''La Compagnie

Bône Annaba ( ar, عنّابة, "Place of the Jujubes"; ber, Aânavaen), formerly known as Bon, Bona and Bône, is a seaport city in the northeastern corner of Algeria, close to the border with Tunisia. Annaba is near the small Seybouse River ...

- Guelma'' (''BG'') *''La Compagnie de l'Est Algérien'' (''EA'') (Eastern Algeria) *''La Compagnie Paris - Lyon - Méditerranée'' (''PLM'') *''La Compagnie de l'Ouest Algérien'' (''OA'') (Western Algeria) *''La Compagnie Franco - Algérienne'' (''FA'') Between 1857 and 1878, the following lines (or parts of them) were finished, totalling , which exceeded initial expectations: *Annaba - Berrahal *Annaba - Bouchegouf - Guelma *

El Khroub El Khroub ( ar, الخروب) is a town and commune in Constantine Province, Algeria. According to the 2008 census it has a population of 179,033.Oued Zenati *Constantine -

*Constantine - Sétif *Algiers - Thénia *Algiers - Oran *

Arzew Arzew or Arzeu ( ar, أرزيو Berber; ) is a port city in Algeria, 25 miles (40 km) from Oran. It is the capital of Arzew District, Oran Province. History Antiquity Like the rest of North Africa, the site of modern-day Arzew was ori ...

- La Macta - Mohammedia *Mohammadia - Mécheria * Oued Tlélat-

Sidi Bel Abbès Sidi Bel Abbès ( ar, سيدي بلعباس), also called Bel Abbès, is the capital (2005 pop. 200,000)''Sidi Bel Abbes'', lexicorient.com (Encyclopaedia of the Orient), internet article. of the Sidi Bel Abbès wilaya (2005 pop. 590,000), Alger ...

Nationalisation

After 1879, France divided the railway lines being built into categories of ''local interest'' or of ''general interest'', with only the latter being eligible to receive state funding. The 18 July 1879 decree defined the extent of some "general interest" lines and ordered the construction of a further of railways to expand the existing network. Between 1879 to 1906, the following lines (or parts of them) were finished, totalling : *

Souk Ahras Souk Ahras (Berber: ''Tagast''; ancient name: ''Thagast''; ar, سوق أهراس) is a municipality in Algeria. It is the capital of Souk Ahras Province. The Numidian city of Thagaste (or Tagaste), on whose ruins Souk Ahras was built, was the bi ...

— Tébessa— Le Kouif—

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

n border * Berrahal— Ramdane Djamel * Ouled Rahmoune—

Khenchela Khenchela ancient Mascula ( ar, خنشلة) is the capital city of the administrative Khenchela Province (''Wilaya''), number 40, in the north east of Algeria. Situated in the Aures Mountains, 1200 m above sea level. The city is mainly popu ...

* El Guerrah—

Biskra Biskra ( ar, بسكرة ; ; Latin Vescera) is the capital city of Biskra Province, Algeria. In 2007, its population was recorded as 307,987. Biskra is located in northeastern Algeria, about 248 miles (400 km) from Algiers, 71 miles (115&n ...

* Sétif— Thénia with further lines to include

Tizi Ouzou Tizi Ouzou or Thizi Wezzu (, Kabyle: Tizi Wezzu) is a city in north central Algeria. It is among the largest cities in Algeria. It is the second most populous city in the Kabylie region after Bejaia. History Etymology The name ''Tizi Ouzou' ...

, Béjaia and

Sour El-Ghozlane Sour El-Ghozlane (or Souk El Ghoziane) is a town and commune in Algeria's central-northern, just-landlocked Bouïra Province. According to the 1998 census it has a population of 42,179. History Pre Historic A prehistoric tool (biface) testifyi ...

—

Berrouaghia Berrouaghia is a town and commune in Médéa Province, Algeria. According to the 1998 census it has a population of 58,780. Notable people * Benyoucef Benkhedda - Algerian politician History Berrouaghia was during the Roman Empire called Tanara ...

Mostaganem Mostaganem ( ber, Mustɣanem; ar, مستغانم) is a port city in and capital of Mostaganem province, in the northwest of Algeria. The city, founded in the 11th century lies on the Gulf of Arzew, Mediterranean Sea and is 72 km ENE of O ...

—

Relizane Relizane or Ghilizan (Arabic: غلیزان; Berber: Ɣilizan) is a city in Algeria. It is the capital city of Relizane Province. Toponymy The name of Relizane comes from the Berber ⵉⵖⵉⵍ ⵉⵣⵣⴰⵏ (Iɣil Izzan) which means “burn ...

—

Tiaret Tiaret ( ar, تاهرت / تيارت; Berber: Tahert or Tihert, i.e. "Lioness") is a major city in northwestern Algeria that gives its name to the wider farming region of Tiaret Province. Both the town and region lie south-west of the capital o ...

* Oran—

Es Sénia Es Sénia ( ar, السانية) (formerly La Sénia) is a municipality in Oran Province, Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital ...

—

Aïn Témouchent Aïn Témouchent ( ar, عين تموشنت) is a city in north western Algeria, it is the capital of Aïn Témouchent Province. Ain Temouchent is located 72 km south-west of Oran, a city with which it is closely associated, and 63 km w ...

—

Tlemcen Tlemcen (; ar, تلمسان, translit=Tilimsān) is the second-largest city in northwestern Algeria after Oran, and capital of the Tlemcen Province. The city has developed leather, carpet, and textile industries, which it exports through the p ...

— Moroccan border * Tabia— Crampel * Méchéria—

Béchar Béchar ( ar, بشار) is the capital city of Béchar Province, Algeria. It is also a commune, coextensive with Béchar District, of Béchar Province. In 2008 the city had a population of 165,627, up from 134,954 in 1998, with an annual growth ...

Tizi Tizi is a town and commune in Mascara Province, Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates ...

—

Mascara Mascara is a cosmetic commonly used to enhance the upper and lower eyelashes. It is used to darken, thicken, lengthen, and/or define the eyelashes. Normally in one of three forms—liquid, powder, or cream—the modern mascara product has vari ...

In 1946, Algeria's total railway network comprised a total of of active lines, in addition to mine lines, significantly more than the current network. After a while, the private companies were unable to maintain economic stability, which led the French government to buy the ''Franco - Algérienne'', ''Est Algérien'', '' Bône-Guelma'' and ''Ouest Algérien'' in 1900, 1908, 1905 and 1920 respectively. On 27 September 1912, the state-owned ''Compagnie des Chemins de Fer Algériens de l'Etat'' (CFAE) assumed control of all lines, except those owned by the ''Compagnie Paris - Lyon - Méditerranée''. On 1 July 1921, the CFAE and PLM agreed to share the Algerian railway network with the PLM operating the Algiers-Oran, Oran-Aïn Témouchent, Sidi Bel Abbès-Tlemcen- Oujda-Crampel, Blida-Hassi Bahbah lines (effectively Western Algeria) while the CFAE operated the rest. On 30 May 1938, both companies were incorporated into the newly founded SNCF, which operated all of

's railway network, with the Algerian network becoming a ''région''. On 1 January 1939, the ''Office des Chemins de fer Algériens'' (''Office CFA'') was created, focusing on the Algerian network. On 30 June 1959, an agreement was made between the French government and the OCFA leading to the creation of the ''Société des Chemins de Fer Français en Algérie'' which commenced operations on 1 January 1, 1960. This new company operated Algeria's railways until its replacement by the ''Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Algériens'' ''(SNCFA)'' on 16 June 1963, a year after Algeria's independence.

Post-Independence

On 30 March 1976, the SNCFA split into the following companies: *SNTF, for the operation and maintenance of the lines; *SNERIF, for the renewal and extension of the network; *SIF, for the engineering and modernisation of the infrastructure. This reorganisation was intended to improve the railway network and services in Algeria, however it proved unsuccessful and the two latter companies were reintegrated into the SNTF. In 1980, a convention for the relations between the Algerian state and the SNTF was signed, officially called ''decree N° 88-128 of 28 June 1988''. This convention is still in effect and regulates the

salaries A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which may be specified in an employment contract. It is contrasted with piece wages, where each job, hour or other unit is paid separately, rather than on a periodic basis. ...

of the workers and the maintenance of the infrastructure, and bears similarities with the June 1959 convention. In December 1990, the SNTF became an

Établissement Public à caractère Industriel et Commercial An établissement public à caractère industriel et commercial (EPIC; ) is, in France, a category of public undertaking. It includes state-controlled entities of an industrial or commercial nature, including some research institutes and infrastru ...

(EPIC).

Recent investments

Large investment programs were launched after 1980 to improve the Algerian railway network, such as the construction of the Jijel- Ramdane-Djamel line (), the Béni Saf area railway, providing transportation for its

cement A cement is a binder, a chemical substance used for construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to bind them together. Cement is seldom used on its own, but rather to bind sand and gravel ( aggregate) together. Cement mi ...

plant (), and in the Saïda (23 km) and Aïn Touta areas (). In addition to that, about of track were replaced, both the

track ballast Track ballast forms the trackbed upon which railroad ties (sleepers) are laid. It is packed between, below, and around the ties. It is used to bear the load from the railroad ties, to facilitate drainage of water, and also to keep down veget ...

and the railway ties, as well as the duplication of the tracks of the ''Rocade Nord'' in Algiers (about ). Many

train station A train station, railway station, railroad station or depot is a railway facility where trains stop to load or unload passengers, freight or both. It generally consists of at least one platform, one track and a station building providing s ...

s all over the country were modernised or even reconstructed, and there were also many improvements to the railways in the vicinities of Algiers and Annaba. A new, separate organisation,

Anesrif Anesrif ( ar, و.و.د.م.ا.ا.س.ح) is a transport business created by the government of Algeria, to expand and modernise the Algerian railway system. Name Anesrif's full name, in French, is ''Agence nationale d’études et de suivi de la ...

, has been created to manage infrastructure investment whilst SNTF concentrates on day-to-day operations. Anesrif has awarded a series of contracts to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing lines, including the construction of a single-track line from

and Tissemsilt, forming part of the High Plateau line.

Rolling stock

As of 2017, SNTF's rolling stock inventory consisted of: * 258

Locomotives A locomotive or engine is a rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. If a locomotive is capable of carrying a payload, it is usually rather referred to as a multiple unit, motor coach, railcar or power car; the ...

* 10,129

Railway car A railroad car, railcar ( American and Canadian English), railway wagon, railway carriage, railway truck, railwagon, railcarriage or railtruck (British English and UIC), also called a train car, train wagon, train carriage or train truck, is ...

s * 380 Passenger cars *17

Alstom Coradia The Alstom Coradia is a family of diesel and electric multiple units for intercity and regional service manufactured by Alstom, with variants operating in Europe, North America, and Africa. Design The Coradia is a family of high-performance r ...

*17 CAF TDMD S/599 *64 Stadler Flirt File:SNTF ZZe-02 - Metz - 2018.jpg, Mainline train

ZZe-02 File:Train Automotor diésel ZZ 2202 de la SNTF (Algérie).jpg, CAF Regional rail "Inter-villes" Autorail TDMD S/599 File:Swiss Flirt for SNTF Algeria.jpg,

Commuter rail Commuter rail, or suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates within a metropolitan area, connecting Commuting, commuters to a Downtown, central city from adjacent suburbs or commuter towns. Generally commuter r ...

Stadler Flirt File:Un train en plein nature.jpg, Locomotive GT36HCW with

passenger cars A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods. The year 1886 is regarded as ...

File:Train en plein nature -E lAsname Bouira.jpg, Locomotive GT46Ac with cargo

Railway links to adjacent countries

gauge links were built to both

Morocco Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria t ...

and

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

. However, the land border with Morocco has since been closed.

Affiliations

The SNTF is a member of the following organizations: * African Union of Railways * Arab Union of Railways * Comité du Transport Ferroviaire Maghrebin (CTFM) (has its headquarters in Algiers) * International Union of Railways (UIC)

References and notes

External links

*
EngRailHistory
The Railways of Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria ''(Internet Archive)'' {{DEFAULTSORT:National Company For Rail Transport 1055 mm gauge railways in Algeria Standard gauge railways Algerian brands Companies based in Algiers Railway companies of Algeria Rapid transit in Algeria