HSTs to Nigeria

How do they manage to produce a timetable with 2 services in one direction and 4 in the other?

They might have visited France.

rvdborgt said:

They might have visited France.

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Yes indeed, it does look like one of those French rural lines with hopeless timetables!

BRX said:

Yes indeed, it does look like one of those French rural lines with hopeless timetables!

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But it may not be such a work of fiction as many train timetables in the UK seem to be .

BRX said:

How do they manage to produce a timetable with 2 services in one direction and 4 in the other?

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Maybe there is a whole stack of HSTs in sidings at Oyingbo

I just spoke to Chris the other day and he indicated January for full opening although it sounded like the Talgo sets weren't going to be included even at that point (sadly) - so perhaps this timetable is a soft launch but will go back to him and ask. I was due to visit in Jan but will now most likely put the trip back by a month or two as I want to see it in full operation rather than at a testing phase. There also appears to be Chinese units on order for the red line.

RailExplorer said:

it sounded like the Talgo sets weren't going to be included even at that point (sadly)

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I think I know why. The Red Line station at Agbado is still a building site so trains are stopping at the Nigerian Railway Corporation station, which has high platforms for Chinese-built mainline trains. If the Talgos stopped there, the train floor would be much lower than the platform.

BRX said:

How do they manage to produce a timetable with 2 services in one direction and 4 in the other?

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I'm assuming it means they run 2 ECS to balance it?

Why would you do that though, you might as well take passengers in the opposite direction if you're running the train anyway

Trainbike46 said:

I'm assuming it means they run 2 ECS to balance it?

Why would you do that though, you might as well take passengers in the opposite direction if you're running the train anyway

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driver training perhaps?

popeter45 said:

driver training perhaps?

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would both directions need driver training?

Also the 07:10 service takes an additional 10 minutes between Iju and Agege. Any speculation as to why?

Finally got on the train, the stations were empty and eire but clean and huge.

The trains were empty traveling in the agbado to oyinbo direction I was the only passenger on the platform at the Ikeja station. But In the other direction there were about 50 people all excited to board. In time passenger numbers will pick up. The blue line is already experiencing overcrowded at peak periods.

VijuBobo said:

Finally got on the train, the stations were empty and eire but clean and huge.

The trains were empty traveling in the agbado to oyinbo direction I was the only passenger on the platform at the Ikeja station. But In the other direction there were about 50 people all excited to board. In time passenger numbers will pick up. The blue line is already experiencing overcrowded at peak periods.

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Feels weird looking at a mk3 which has the interior layout of a tube train.

Anonymous10 said:

Feels weird looking at a mk3 which has the interior layout of a tube train.

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Agree. And I wonder how noisy the coaches are, with no end vestibule doors between carriages.

Sun Chariot said:

Agree. And I wonder how noisy the coaches are, with no end vestibule doors between carriages.

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The major mass transit alternatives on this route is still "molue" or the NRC mass transit. Lagosians see this as flying a private jet. Only noise I noticed was that constant beeping.

For whatever reason they don't let you take pictures without the permission of LAMATA. But they welded steps to fill the gap between the trains and the platforms.

Everything looks a little janky and put together, but Lagosians don't know that these is a luxury train service. With Air conditioning.

VijuBobo said:

The major mass transit alternatives on this route is still "molue" or the NRC mass transit. Lagosians see this as flying a private jet. Only noise I noticed was that constant beeping.

For whatever reason they don't let you take pictures without the permission of LAMATA. But they welded steps to fill the gap between the trains and the platforms.

Everything looks a little janky and put together, but Lagosians don't know that these is a luxury train service. With Air conditioning.

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It looks like a massive improvement in what is a city with terrible traffic usually!

VijuBobo said:

The major mass transit alternatives on this route is still "molue" or the NRC mass transit. Lagosians see this as flying a private jet. Only noise I noticed was that constant beeping.

For whatever reason they don't let you take pictures without the permission of LAMATA. But they welded steps to fill the gap between the trains and the platforms.

Everything looks a little janky and put together, but Lagosians don't know that these is a luxury train service. With Air conditioning.

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No need for perfection in what they look like, the trains are a temporary solution until proper mass transit trains are ordered and delivered.

From post 155:

There also appears to be Chinese units on order for the red line.

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How long temporary lasts is a different matter!

A line to Onne Port was commenced but never completed (civil war probably stopped it).
The Uzanu Railway (Central Line) was commenced in 1987 and was inaugurated in 2020.
The new standard gauge line to Apapa, specifically the APM container terminal, has the port X-ray building in the way so a temporary fix bending the line around it had to be put in place.
The Blue Line has a temporary maintenance facility built over the tracks just beyond Mile 2 Station when it will ultimately be at Okokomaiko, 11km farther west.

This video posted yesterday has just popped up in my YouTube recommendations - it's from the channel of a Nigerian realtor called Joy Iriogbe, it's entitled 'My First-Class Night Train Ride in Lagos' and it's a record of a journey she made on an HST set including both interior and exterior views (after her arrival at the station the first train shot is at 3:20):

My First-Class Night Train Ride in Lagos My experience aboard the first-class section of the Lagos Red Line night train was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I stepped into the train, I could feel the blend of luxury and efficiency. The interiors were impeccably designed with comfortable reclining seats, ample legroom, and a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation after a long day. The air conditioning was just right, and the soft lighting made the journey soothing and enjoyable. As the train smoothly glided through the tracks, I couldn’t help but marvel at how far Lagos has come in terms of transportation. The absence of the usual hustle and bustle of Lagos roads was a refreshing change. I didn’t have to worry about traffic jams or the stress of navigating chaotic roads at night. Instead, I sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride while the city lights flickered in the distance.

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(At 5:32 there's a shot of a GWR WiFi sign!)

Nigeria - Red Line

I visited Lagos between 8th and 13th May 2025.

The Red Line shares the Standard Gauge track with the Lagos to Ibadan trains (which was Chinese built) but the stations are not shared (except for Agbado as the Red Line station is still under construction). This set up results in an odd situation at Agege, because where the red line platform ends the Nigerian Railways platform starts (different station name though: Babatunde Raji Fashola). This means the combined platform length is about 500-600 metres!

The two sets in service are formed as follows:

43192
49101
48133
48113
49111
43009

43239
48103
48101
48125
49107
43184

The other class 43's are located around the network as follows:

OYINGBO STATION
43008, 43010, 43172, 43304

SIDINGS
43040, 43366, 43208 (I have been told this should be 43016)

Some are painted just white, others have two red stripes and one has a single thicker red stripe. The reason for the thick red stripe, was that it was going to match the Talgo set paint work.

In terms of the Talgo stock, they have the two ex-Wisconsin sets with a driving cab at one end. The idea originally was to use these with a Class 43 but that idea has been ditched in favour of a GP38-3 locomotive (coupler at different heights supposedly). They now have two of these numbered GP01 and GP02. They are found in the Red Line sidings.

The timetable consists of 3 Lagos bound trips in the morning, and 2 Agbado bound trips (plus an ECS move). In the evening it's simply 2 return trips. This is Monday to Friday only. Services in the opposite direction to peak traffic are almost empty.

They don't have a dedicated depot, but rather a small open air shed and two inspection roads (I've called this the Red Line sidings). I did however see the Lagos-Ibadan trains also use this.

There are two drivers in the cab and onboard there's numerous other staff including a guard (the guard appeared to also be a driver in a lot cases). In total they have 7 drivers all ex- Nigerian Railways drivers. There's no in cab signalling, and there's no lineside signalling... It's simply a paper ticket for authorisation to travel to the next station issued at the previous station.

Orange hazard lights stay illuminated at all times. There are plenty of references to GWR in the carriages still and even the WiFi shows a connection named "GWR...". The steps on the outside of the carriage are certainly an odd addition!

Lineside wise... The tracks are full of people, with make shift housing almost on the tracks in some places. In the evening parts of the track become a full on market with food being cooked in the 4 foot! Many of the areas the train passes through are absolutely not safe.

If there are any questions, or if there's any more information anyone would like, just comment on here and I'll try to answer.

RailExplorer said:

Nigeria - Red Line

I visited Lagos between 8th and 13th May 2025.

The Red Line shares the Standard Gauge track with the Lagos to Ibadan trains (which was Chinese built) but the stations are not shared (except for Agbado as the Red Line station is still under construction). This set up results in an odd situation at Agege, because where the red line platform ends the Nigerian Railways platform starts (different station name though: Babatunde Raji Fashola). This means the combined platform length is about 500-600 metres!

The two sets in service are formed as follows:

43192
49101
48133
48113
49111
43009

43239
48103
48101
48125
49107
43184

The other class 43's are located around the network as follows:

OYINGBO STATION
43008, 43010, 43172, 43304

SIDINGS
43040, 43366, 43208 (I have been told this should be 43016)

Some are painted just white, others have two red stripes and one has a single thicker red stripe. The reason for the thick red stripe, was that it was going to match the Talgo set paint work.

In terms of the Talgo stock, they have the two ex-Wisconsin sets with a driving cab at one end. The idea originally was to use these with a Class 43 but that idea has been ditched in favour of a GP38-3 locomotive (coupler at different heights supposedly). They now have two of these numbered GP01 and GP02. They are found in the Red Line sidings.

The timetable consists of 3 Lagos bound trips in the morning, and 2 Agbado bound trips (plus an ECS move). In the evening it's simply 2 return trips. This is Monday to Friday only. Services in the opposite direction to peak traffic are almost empty.

They don't have a dedicated depot, but rather a small open air shed and two inspection roads (I've called this the Red Line sidings). I did however see the Lagos-Ibadan trains also use this.

Each cab has two drivers. And onboard there's numerous other staff including a guard. There's no in cab signalling, and there's no lineside signalling... It's simply a paper ticket for authorisation to travel to the next station issued at the previous station.

Orange hazard lights stay illuminated at all times. There are plenty of references to GWR in the carriages still and even the WiFi shows a connection named "GWR...". The steps on the outside of the carriage are certainly an odd addition!

Lineside wise... The tracks are full of people, with make shift housing almost on the tracks in some places. In the evening parts of the track become a full on market with food being cooked in the 4 foot! Many of the areas the train passes through are absolutely not safe.

If there are any questions, or if there's any more information anyone would like, just comment on here and I'll try to answer.

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If you may, could you recommend an itinerary and other useful tips such as where to stay, what stations to travel to/from, flights, etc… Also, what is Nigeria like? Apologies for my ignorance and if this causes offence to anyone, but is it safe to roam around freely? Thanks in advance and also for the information you’ve already provided.

PudseyBearHST said:

If you may, could you recommend an itinerary and other useful tips such as where to stay, what stations to travel to/from, flights, etc… Also, what is Nigeria like? Apologies for my ignorance and if this causes offence to anyone, but is it safe to roam around freely? Thanks in advance and also for the information you’ve already provided.

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I can do all of that but not on a public forum (sorry). I've dropped you a message.

I find it interesting that they've clearly spent an absolute fortune on new stations etc and yet are using nearly 50 year old used trains - why spend on one but not the other?

Construction on the Red Line begam in April 2021, and Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu claimed that it would open in the fourth quarter of 2022. This was nowhere near enough time to procure new-build rolling stock.

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it has commenced work on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line project from Agbado to Marina. Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony of a 37km rail route in Ikeja on Thursday. Sanwo-Olu said the project would be implemented in two phases. ”We project that the Red Line would move its first passenger in the fourth quarter of 2022. ”In addition, we are simultaneously working on bringing the first phase of our Blue Line to passenger operation, projecting that it would be in operation by the fourth quarter of 2022,” he said. He said that the construction of the infrastructure for the standard gauge Red Line, would share tracks with the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation Projects by the Federal Government.

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Bletchleyite said:

I find it interesting that they've clearly spent an absolute fortune on new stations etc and yet are using nearly 50 year old used trains - why spend on one but not the other?

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I'm led to believe new rolling stock will make an appearance at some point. Whether that replaces what they already have, or supplements it, remains to be seen.

Bletchleyite said:

I find it interesting that they've clearly spent an absolute fortune on new stations etc and yet are using nearly 50 year old used trains - why spend on one but not the other?

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Try googling the Abuja "metro" for unbelievable choices

stuu said:

Try googling the Abuja "metro" for unbelievable choices

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The Abuja metro is using 4 car DMUs (they look/feel newly built). It feels more like a.suburban railway though than a metro but the difference in a lot of places in the world between metro and suburban railway is becoming very hazy. The timetable is very limited but the trips are free.

RailExplorer said:

The Abuja metro is using 4 car DMUs (they look/feel newly built). It feels more like a.suburban railway though than a metro but the difference in a lot of places in the world between metro and suburban railway is becoming very hazy. The timetable is very limited but the trips are free.

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It's using EMUs pulled by diesel locos because they haven't installed electrification

stuu said:

It's using EMUs pulled by diesel locos because they haven't installed electrification

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Nope. I caught the Abuja metro about 2 weeks ago and they are using DMUs.

I have covered almost all available track in Nigeria in the last 2 weeks which includes the Abuja Metro, Lagos Red and Blue Line, Standard Guage Lagos to Ibadan, and Abuja to Kaduna, and finally the Cape Guage routes Lagos Terminus to the suburbs and Port Harcourt to Aba.

There's a post by me in the "blog/Photography section". I'll add a picture of the Abuja Metro to that.

The blue line in Lagos and the Abuja Metro were hauled for a few days during testing / commissioning but not much more.

Apologies you are right, they began services being pulled by locos and were described as EMUs in various places but that was obviously wrong

IIRC the first trains for the Abula metro were EMUs, which were operated as push-pull serts with diesel locomotives. Then DMUs were bought in an admission that the metro wasn't going to be electrified any time soon.

The rolling stock contract for the Abuja Light Rail System was awarded to China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC).

The initial fleet of rolling stock operating on the network comprises three trains with three rail cars each. The train set can accommodate more than 300 passengers.

Light rail vehicles are specifically designed to operate on standard gauge tracks. The stainless-steel railcars have a length of 19m and a width of 2.8m. The roof and rail are separated by a height of 3.8mm, while the diameter of the wheels is 840mm.

Electricity required for operation of the system will be supplied by a dedicated overhead contact line system. A line voltage of 1,500V DC is required for the seamless operation of the light train fleet.

The voltage range of the train sets usually varies between 1,000V and 1,800V DC, and the on-board traction has a maximum capacity of 190kW. The maximum service speed attained by the train set is 80km/h. The rate load on the axle can never exceed 14t.

Trains are currently being hauled by diesel locomotives as electrification works on the line are yet to be completed.

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Abuja has SGR, Metro and light rail. SGR terminates outside of the centre at a grand station served by all three. Large rolling stock maintenance depot nearby. Large as in many times greater than the rolling stock sourced thus far.

Picture 1 from Government of Nigeria press stuff, picture 2 from CRRC.
Two styles of units shown.

The initial fleet of rolling stock operating on the network comprises three trains with three rail cars each. The train set can accommodate more than 300 passengers. 1,500v DC but hauled by CRRC diesel locomotives! (source lost in time)

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The DMU is tailor-made by CRRC Dalian for the Abuja area rail transportation in Nigeria. Four carriages. (source lost in time)

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Baxenden Bank said:

Abuja has SGR, Metro and light rail. SGR terminates outside of the centre at a grand station served by all three. Large rolling stock maintenance depot nearby. Large as in many times greater than the rolling stock sourced thus far.

Picture 1 from Government of Nigeria press stuff, picture 2 from CRRC.
Two styles of units shown.

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I won't add any more to this chat with regards to Nigeria in general, as it's definitely going off on a tangent from the HSTs in Nigeria... But Abuja has two rail services. They have DMUs operating on the light rail / metro (two routes) and they have Chinese stock on SGR to Kaduna. I was there last week!!!!!!! And spent a total of 3 days covering everything possible in the Abuja area before moving on to the next network in Nigeria. Idu is the only station where all 3 services meet. I have a lot of photos.

The diesel and EMU are long gone - perhaps not long gone - they are probably tucked up in the sheds there somewhere but they are not being used. They have three DMUs in operation on each day. They have plans to extend the metro but I didn't see much sign of that happening except information posters.