INTERNATIONAL: The first eastbound ECO freight train is due to arrive in Islamabad on August 13, having left Istanbul on August 2 with cargo for Tehran and Islamabad. Six container flats each carried a 40 ft container destined for Pakistan, while five vans had consignments for the Iranian capital.

Operations over the 6 300 km route are being promoted by the regional Economic Co-Operation Organization, and the trip marked another stage in efforts to establish regular services on what is destined to become part of the Trans-Asian Railway.

An initial demonstration train ran from Islamabad to Istanbul in August last year, taking 14 days. The eastbound train was expected to take just 11 days 8 h. The time spent at the break of gauge at Zahedan was cut from 14 h to 8 h thanks to transhipment and customs procedures taking place simultaneously...

Also see Another Great Gameand later comment with report of the Westward run.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}