Railways invest in steam locomotives to develop tourism.

The Vietnam Railway Authority has just proposed to the Ministry of Transport to consider the investment scale and approve the policy of allowing the connection of auxiliary facilities to operate steam locomotives for the Hue - Da Nang section. If approved, this railway line will have an additional type of tourist train powered by steam locomotives.

After reviewing and evaluating the investor's project, the Railway Department found that the auxiliary facilities serving the operation of the steam locomotives in the project, such as the swing bridge, maintenance building, maintenance track, coal and water supply systems, etc., basically comply with the current railway procedures and regulations, and are of a scale appropriate to the number and types of locomotives and rolling stock used in the project.

Several issues related to the management of assets, facilities, locomotives, carriages, and project operation by Vietnam Railways Corporation and Indochina Railway Services Company Limited have been carefully studied and considered to ensure feasibility, safety, and to avoid impacting normal passenger and freight transport operations on this section of the line.

According to experts, if implemented soon, this promises to be a novel type of tourism experience, attracting tourists to the central region of Vietnam, which boasts many tourist destinations and majestic landscapes.

Phuong Ngoc