Congo passenger train resumes

The first passenger train for two years has arrived in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, using the vital railway line from the Atlantic port of Pointe Noire.

Civil war and sabotage disrupted the line, and freight services only resumed last August.

Railway officials said the passenger service on the 500km (310 mile) line was an experiment and its future frequency had not been decided.

Much of the rolling stock became unusable by the time peace agreements, ending the fighting between rebels and forces loyal to President Denis Sassou Nguesso, were signed just over a year ago.

About 800,000 people were made homeless in the fighting.

Ocean

The first passenger train to travel from the coast, called "Ocean", carried just over 300 passengers who paid between $12 and $28.

Passenger journeys had been delayed because of the absence of carriages and engines, but the intervention of a local businessman helped to rectify the situation.

The Congo Ocean Railway's interim director, Hubert Matondo, said the company was very pleased with the resumption of railway travel.

At the moment there will be two return trips between Pointe Noire and Brazzaville each week.

Before the end of this year, the French national railway company, SNCF, is expected to provide the Congo Ocean Railway with some 30 carriages which will help to keep the railway up and running.