Look: A glimpse of Etihad Rail's passenger train

The first pictures of Etihad Rails are out. In silver and grey colours, the coaches show different types of seating similar to the flight classes.

A glimpse of Etihad Rail's passenger train, which will provide transportation services for millions of passengers between the UAE’s major cities in the highest safety and performance standards.

The seats are arranged in 2+2 format across the coaches. The railway will redefine logistics and transport in the region, providing a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable network that will connect the seven emirates of the UAE to its neighbouring GCC countries.

The carriages will be equipped with Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points and various food and beverages options and cater to all people in the UAE. In a vision to bring all the emirates together, Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, was launched in 2009.

The long-term plan is to be part of a more comprehensive railway network that would connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Al Dhaid city occupies an important strategic location in the eastern side of the Emirate of Sharjah at the mouth of Wadi Siji, and is considered the main center of the Emirate of Sharjah.

Built to the very highest international standards, Etihad Rail’s state-of-the-art network will act as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development. Above, work in progress for Etihad Rail on Emirates Road in Dubai.

The cost-effective railway network incorporates energy efficiency and sustainability while providing unique solutions for freight movement, distribution, handling, logistics and clearances.

The formation of fossil dunes is seen across Al Wathba. Located in the suburbs of Abu Dhabi, Al Wathba is home to some of Abu Dhabi’s wetland reserves which are mainly known as home to a large population of Greater Flamingos, along with over 250 species of birds and a wide variety of aquatic life. Due to the nature of the ecosystem, Al Wathba has been considered a Ramsar site and holds significant international importance.

Commercial activity for Etihad Rail commenced in January 2016 after the Federal Transport Authority granted final safety authorisations. Etihad Rail has transported more than 40 million tonnes of granulated sulphur (the equivalent of around 2.4 million truck trips) for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

One train journey removes approximately 600 trucks from the road , reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70%-80% compared to the amount emitted by trucks required to transport the same cargo.