Trans-Gabon Railway (Transgabonais)

Société d'Exploitation du Transgabonais (SETRAG)
Gabon
Loading Map...
The Journey

Navigate from Owendo Station (Libreville) to Franceville across a span of 669km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Lopé National Park — equatorial rainforest and wildlife observation
  • Crossing the equator between Oyan and Ekouk
  • Ogooué River valleys and forest canopy views
  • Moanda manganese mining region
  • N'Djolé river port and trading hub
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    12 hours

  • Distance

    669 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable to Mid-Range

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Diesel locomotives (various classes including Chinese CRRC and rebuilt units)

Locomotive Weight

Typically 120–140 tonnes for mainline diesel locomotives

Track Gauge

1,435 mm standard gauge

Braking Technology

Air brakes (standard freight/passenger configuration)

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 669 km route through equatorial rainforest with high rainfall and seasonal flooding

  • Lopé National Park zone requiring speed restrictions for wildlife crossing

  • Single-track operations with passing loops at major intermediate stations

  • Manganese ore freight conflicts with passenger scheduling windows

  • Tropical environment accelerates track degradation requiring intensive maintenance

  • Ongoing modernisation: 270 km of rail replacement (wooden to concrete sleepers), 2025–2028 Railway Modernisation and Security Program (PMS)

Line length

669 km (648 km operational + yards/branches)

Stations

23 total (7 principal Express stops, 23 Omnibus stops)

Max speed

80 km/h passenger; 60 km/h in wildlife protection zones

Electrification

None — fully diesel-operated

Track type

Single track with passing loops at major stations

Primary freight

Manganese ore from Moanda to Owendo; timber and general cargo

Operator concession

SETRAG (subsidiary of COMILOG/Eramet)

Passengers carried

Approx. 248,000 annually (2022)

Modernisation (Phase II, 2025–2028)

$580M program: 270km rail replacement, concrete sleepers, new passenger rolling stock financed by Gabon government, AFD €173M, EU €30M grant

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    12 hours

  • Distance

    669 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable to Mid-Range

Official Booking Provider