Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a National Railway network spanning 2,135 kilometres designed for high-speed trains with speeds of up to 350 kilometres an hour for passenger travel and 200 kilometres an hour for freight trains. This project is in Oman. The network will comprise a double track, standard-gauge (1,435mm) system with provision made for the introduction of high-speed trains, with speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour (kph) in the future. Initially, however, passenger trains will be operated at speeds of 200 kph, while freight trains will run at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kph. The trains will run on electrical power, supplied through overhead electrical infrastructure that will be built along the length of the network. The scheme will be implemented in four phases. ? The first phase will comprise a 242-kilometre line that runs from Sohar to Muscat, with commuter stations planned at Sohar Port, Saham, Daqal, Al Khabourah, Al Hur, Al Hazm, Al Abyath and Al Misfah. Intercity Stations will also be established in Sohar City, Barka and Muscat. ? In Phase 2, the network will extend 486 kilometres from Muscat to the Port of Duqm, currently under construction of the Wusta coast. Commuter stations on this stretch are proposed at Bid, Samayil, Izki, Ibri, Sinaw and Mahawt, while an intercity station will be built at Duqm. ? Phase 3 of the proposed project envisages a 166-kilometre line from Sohar to Al Ain on the UAE side of the border. Commuter stations are planned at Wadi Jizzi and Sunayna, with an intercity station envisaged at Buraimi. ? In Phase 4, the Batinah line will be extended 58 kilometres from Sohar to the UAE border at Khatmat Malaha and a 646-kilometre line from Duqm to Salalah. Along this stretch, the commuter stations are planned at Liwa, Shinas, Al Aqar and Khatmat Malaha. The Batinah line will share a common corridor with the Batinah Expressway. ? Phase 5a: Sohar Port – Masqat (Al Misfah), Phase 5b: Masqat station ? Phase 6a: Al Misfah – Sanaw ? Phase 7a: Sanaw – Ibra ? Phase 8a: Thamarit – Al Mazyunah (border with Yemen) ? Phase 9a: Sohar Port – Khatmat al Malaha (border with UAE) Client has invited consultants to submit pre-qualification documents by May 30, 2010 for the design contract on this scheme. a France's Co. and local Engineering Office have carried out a feasibility study for the project.