Riding Morocco’s EXTREME Saharan Desert Train!
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Get ready for a hot journey, as I'm catching Morocco's Saharan Desert train, through beautiful arid landscapes at up to 160km/h (100mph)! This is a journey full of surprises, and not one you want to miss...
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Journey Details:
Origin: Marrakech
Destination: Casa-Voyageurs
Company: Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF)
Train: ONCF E1400 + Corail
Accommodation: First Class Seat (1st)
Distance: 246 kilometres / 153 miles
Price: 144 DH (£11.50 / €13.70 / $14.00)
Time: 2 hours 38 minutes, arrived 2 minutes late
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Feeling very proud of what we accomplish despite our economic state! 🇲🇦
Dima maghreb
I was surprised by just how nice everything is, the trains, stations, and infrastructure. The landscape looks similar to were I am in the southwestern U.S., but our railway situation is much worse (or non-existent in many places).
@@FlagstaffslowTV Thank you! I have been to Flagstaff and Sedona, it's incredibly pretty as well!
The 75% of the worlds phosphate vu....
J'hésite mais je pense visiter le Maroc cet été (Fès et Marrakech) ❤
Dear Sir ,
Thank you for the excellent video.
Just for your information, there is no Sahara desert between Marrakech and Casablanca.
The flat landscape 127 km from Marrakech to Oum Rabia River 13:43 called Rhamna Provence and it's famous for graines productions, but this year it looks like desert because of the draught not much rain this year
The rest of the journey from the River to Casa about 110 km the region called La Plaine de Chaouia, and it's on the most fertile land in Morocco 🇲🇦
so morocco is not a part of sahara?
@@shahanshahpolonium No. Part of the Sahara is in Morocco.
@@shahanshahpolonium It’s a very large country north to south. Covers a range of climatic zones.
Completely true....the title is wrong
@@jefdepijper4550 Absolutely thanks
In the early 70s I took the Marrakech Directo from Casablanca to Marrakech. Could not have been more different. Something like 23 stops over 20 some hours including an overnight stop where we slept on the platform. The cars were unlighted, packed with people sitting in the aisles and vendors carrying teapots on buckets of hot charcoal. The passageways between cars were uncovered with just thin waist-high metal bars running across over the plates covering the couplers. We spent most of the time sitting on the bars which is horrifying now but was exhilarating then. Several times the train stopped for no obvious reason in the in the wilderness. Hoards of people would hop off and run to attend to potty needs 30 or 40 meters from the train. I assume they made it back before the journey restarted. As creature comfort horrible as this experience was, it was magical. Sitting outside in the dark with the scenery rushing by, nothing making sense. While we sort of envied CSN&Y warbling about the Marrakech Express which followed what was probably the same 6 stop route as this video, albeit significantly slower, I wouldn’t trade my Marrakech Directo experience for anything.
Okay that does sound brutal, but still what an experience! It's really changed a lot, as you said. :)
back when train trips felt like a journey you could write about, magical.
yea those people sell coffee you shouldve had some it tastes really good youll still find them all over the country even tho its not the 70s anymore but its always great it has spices on it so the smell is just as nice as the taste
The train reminds me so much of my 1970s Europe trips, on a 1st Class Eurailpass,
(when they were great value, unlike now)! 😁
Ah yes, Morocco actually briefly featured on one of those passes, I believe. Russia did too!
Dont worry they are still in use in Italy and france for sure .corail 😅
For a long time Morocco has had Africa's most European railway. Even taking part in Interrail for a while (so used by some as the most exotic part of the Europe in one month trip).
Considering they use secondhand French Corail coaches I wonder why they took out the door blocking ...
you'll notice this in all countries that are relatively hot, they keep the doors open for a better airflow and cooling
@@Yanzdorloph The trains in morocco are aircon'ed, people usually open the door to smoke one or to feel like we're in a bollywood movie
@@Rocco_loco Moroccan train air con only blast cold air in winter when it's raining and already cold, and somehow doesn't work in summer when it's hot af then again it's been like 10years since I took a Moroccan train
Maybe its just a technical incompatability between old coaches and new locomotives?
@@martinum4 I doubt it. Since it is all French-built stock, I am guessing they will at the very least support the UIC door control system/TB5.
The way you disembarked without the train stopping fully made me laugh so hard
Not sure about the safety of sitting on the step of an open door at 100mph?? Don't fall out!
He didn't 😅
No one ever falls out so don't worry about that
I wouldn't dramatize too much. He was probably using some device resembling selfie stick (but likely more robust) while he was safe inside the vestibule.
@@ronylouis0 as can be attested to by the other 300 that have fallen out and died!
recently watched a car chase where the suspect decided to bail out of the stolen car at 50 mph. needless to say the suspect died from their injuries... so yea don't fall out!
you don't need a hand drier in 42 degrees. Just open the doors and let the wind dry them
😂😂
XD
We did a railtour of Morocco month ago, inspired by your earlier high speed video. Agree with most of your comments, but the Atlas trains also don't have any Passener Information Systems either on screens or announcements. We were stunned by the opening doors on the train, a shock when going into the toilet to see a direct drop onto the tracks. We did the whole 5 and a half hour Marrakech to Fes run.
Until an Amtrak train dumped on some boaters under a railroad bridge in Florida in the 80's all U. S. trains dumped on the tracks and toilet doors were locked during station stops. The state of Florida threatened to bar trains until retention toilets were installed. That would have been catastrophic because Florida is Amtrak's most popular long distance route.
The doors open to cool out. It actually is a thing in many hot countries.
Same goes for dropping directly on the tracks. Morocco's hot climate get's ride of it in faster unlike colder countries. And Morocco can't expect to waste loads of water on it as it is becoming scarces.
20 years ago this was pretty normal in germany too. you shit and you flush and there is a black flap. when the flap is pushed down you could see the tracks. To this day I still dont know why you havent seen shit on the tracks
@@samtrak1204 I often think the practice must be rather rough on track maintenance crews -making their job unnecesarily' smelly'
@@edwardhogan1877 I remember a few years back trackworkers in Scotland were threatening strike action over it. It was more to do with people flushing as a train was passing at speed.
I understand the door part is a shock for most, but it's normal (not possible in high-speed trains, obviously).
I remember the best memory. One time, I was riding the night train from meknes to marrakesh, and we stopped during the night for 10 min in the middle of nowhere to let a freight train pass, I suppose. I was sitting with 2 guys by the open door, and out of nowhere from the darkness, an old guy with a straw hat came out, and he was selling bottles of water. It was the most hilarious and memorable scene of the trip.
That sounds amazing!
Morocco has some of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
I agree, it's a great combination of eras!
👍
If one only looks at modern stations, I think Morocco's ONCF stations are the most stylish and are also quite pleasant to use. The only drab one is at Casablanca's airport.
That 1st class train car is so nostalgic to me.
Back in the 90s my morning commuter train had 1-2 Intercity cars like this attached to the rear.
However our 2nd class also had a 6 seat configuration.
Many thanks. The stations look magnificent.
An interesting review of this route. I agree about Marrakech Station; beautifully built. We sometimes stay at the Ibis, between the statin and the Supratours bus station. Supratours is the express bus network run by ONCF to “extend” the rail network beyond the tracks.
Although travelling through an arid landscape, I think it’s pushing it to suggest this is the Sahara. As others have commented, it doesn’t really begin until you’re south of the Atlas Mountains.
Nice train and decent speed. It brings back memories of the song "Marrakech Express" by CSN. RIP David Crosby.
Fabulous work. I thoroughly enjoyed watching, what stunning scenery.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Amazing shots in the desert 😍😍
Sitting at the doorstep of such trains is always very thrilling and fascinating. I have done this many a time and I yearn to relive it.
Yes. me too. . . It is a nice rush, and very refreshing. . . The trains in India are good for this too. . .
@@jaivkoltun4948 The toilets are the worst part. 🤢
You used to be able to do the open door bit at speed in England, as in past times we had some stock with inward opening doors! The Moroccan rail system is essentially French hence the left hand running. The Corail stock, even though old, still takes some beating for comfort. Messrs Tarrant and Portillo have covered Moroccan Railways for TV and were both suitably impressed.
There are sure a lot of similarities!
Inward opening passenger doors? On UK trains? May be on xp64 set from 1964...and a few pulman cars but as s rule UK trains had outward opening passenger doors or power operated swing or sliding doors😊
@@grahamallen1970 The guards doors often opened inwards, so the guard could check the train easily while it pulled away.
That is a lovely station. Simple yet elegant
I traveled this route in the 1990s on Interrail, and they used old Polish cars build in the 1956. So absolutely an improvement.
now they even have the bullet train. it is 2024 and lot has been changed
I’m happy that they will change all the old trains soon to more modern ones
Great to see its electrified!
Watched your videos for 4 hours instead of sleeping!! Some future travel plans owe their inception to these videos!
Very nice train. Lovely journey as well. I do like your videos of different countries by rail. 😊
Thank you! More worldwide travel to come.
Oh yes please. 😄
I have been at an open door at 90 to 110-mph on a Amtrak train in Upstate NY, a very exciting experience :D
An awesome video - so informative. Hope to view some more of your travel videos.😀
sorry to break it to you, but that train does NOT go through any (sahara) desert. I've taken that train countless times. The terrain you go through is not desert, but a very arid area of Morocco, mainly between Marrakesh and Ben Guerir. However, if you want to take a train through the Moroccan desert, take the Oujda-Bouarfa train. It only runs a few times a year for special tour operators though.
I thought the video was about the Oujda-Bouarfa line
At 7:52 you got a really nice shot of the two Japanese Hitachi built engine classes of the CFM!
Love these old carriages with compartments. Beats cramped modern trains!
Yeah! Though second class is very cramped... :(
I am very surprised that they did not have a dinning car or any place to get snacks. I am glad you had a good trip. Did anybody sit next to you. Can't wait till the next video. Love, Joan
Yes, the compartment was full. Too bad there was no food!
See you next week. :)
I did that before they modernised the route, with the lovely 'broken nose' locos. For a completely different experience, take the coach to Agadir then buses/shared taxis to Mauritania, and get the iron ore train (there are a couple of passenger coaches stuck on the end of the 2km long train) into the desert proper. That's one of the most bizarre and unforgettable rail trips I've done. Alight at Choum, a pickup truck taxi will take you to Atar, along desert pistes past classic filmset style oases.
Ah yes, those broken noses alongside some Polish and Japanese locos used to rule the railways down here!
From Agadir to Nouadibou or Zouerat?
We did that train a few years ago but a bit further Marrakech to Rabat.There was only one first class carriage then which ment it was more crowded than second class which had about 9 carriages.
Morocco and it's trains always fun to watch, I heard the new lines of high speed train being huilt now, will use Korean and chinese trains, because Morocco had a really bad falling out with france and canceled all their projects together. looking forward to try these too
That will be interesting to see! 😃
Just the rail construction maybe, Alstom is pretty much the first choice always for Morocco.
@@Eaglespirit007 Morocco has had an interesting history with railways, they've also ordered a lot of Polish and Japanese stuff in the past. :)
Nice video capture. I feel like I am traveling with you. Well done.
Glad you enjoyed!
I agree 🤗
Hi. I live in Rabat and also make videos about life in Morocco. With regard to the seat selection: There is no problem in asking for a window or door seat. You can also ask for a seat facing forward or backwards. These things are not mentioned on the website or advertisements, but if you ask for them specifically, you can get them, no problem - subject to availability. Great video, though. Loved the shots of the train with the door open.
Great trip. First time I knew about Marrakesh is from Sporting events called Formula E. Railway Transport in Morocco is growing rapidly, no matter it's on conventional line or High Speed Line.
An extremely unique trip,woooow🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩. Casablanca is very beautiful!!!!
Nice video of a train journey in a desert. Morocco seems to have a decent rail network. Would love to visit the country one of these days.
I love that you hopped off before the train stopped. Classic "slam door" move. ;) When in Rome...
Hahaha, had to be done! :)
Train services seem very decent in Morocco, the railways in Morocco and Algeria are built under the French possession and even today stick for a large part to French built railway rolling stock, although some locomotives and stock came from Belgium (the airport EMUs), Japan and the US (some locomotive classes)
The Corail carriages are showing their age, but are held in a reasonable condition, I know from experience in France that their seats are very comfy, in France even the 2nd class compartment I travelled in had only 6 seats like the first class on your train. Second class got new seats in Morocco by the looks.
They've even used to have Polish locomotives and carriages! I read about it in a museum in Wrocław a few days ago. :)
Kinda scary that you can open a door to the outside, watch out for a bump and you are out the window in a desert .. beautiful views... thanks for the trip...ATB 👍👍
20 years ago that was normal all over Europe.
@@ivarnordlkken8082 WOW...that is kind of scary...one fault step or push and you are done for.....
It's called fun and faith. . .
Re 'slam shut' doors..
The Darwin Awards exist for a reason! 😅
Thank you. Ditto others' concerns about standing and sitting in 100 mph (160 kmph) open doors. At those prices First Class is certainly a good value. Enjoy your trip.
The Morrocan network looks pretty impressive for Africa. In some respects better than the USA (100mph electrified all the way with modern locos). And then you get toilets that flush onto the track. Haha. "hotchpotch" comes to mind. Nevertheless I think it would be fun to visit there.
In Europe you’ll also still find (older) trains where the toilet flushes straight on the track! I think they still built new trains like that here in the Netherlands well into the late 90s or perhaps even early 2000s.
Seeing this is actually making me wanna consider moving to Morocco; insanely cheap fares (walk-up fare long-distance in first class cheaper than a local journey in standard class in the UK), comfy trains with fun features, amazing cities and stunning scenery, what's there not to like? Even better, the expanding network of TGV Duplex which is also incredibly cheap, even relative to the Moroccan salary!
It's worth a look! 😃
FYI, the engine is a E 1400 series, derived from the Prima II class of locommotives. Built by Alstom ofr the moroccan railway, they develop some 8100 hp and reach a max speed of 160 kmh. They have improved ventilation system and, as far as I known, special filters to cope wiht the desert sand...
Excellent video! After the Morocco-freighthop-videos of "Vaga Bond" and "GIFGAS" I wondered how a first class ride on a regular train would look like - And you delivered the answer. Great! Btw. these carriages seem to be the same we had in Germany in the 80's and early 90's. I really liked them, as they havent' been as cramped and uncomfy as todays carriages.
Think it's a very different experience to that! ;)
The moroccan desert is beyond the High Atlas....don’t say from maraks to casa is through the desert, I’ve been more than 10 times in Morocco and I know what I’m TALKING ABOUT
Nice video, Morocco seems to have its self a decent network which has expansion on it way, I can’t believe doors would open and wouldn’t be allowed anywhere in Europe etc. only thing lacking is some power outlet and ant type of catering, but i suppose with the stations being well catered, no need for that.
In Romania many trains have doors which can be opened too.
And even in Austria some international services do.
In Hungary some old trains can run with open doors too
@@baumfisch8728 Which international services in Austria do feature such carriages? I've never seen any? Trains from Romania? I am surprised this is allowed.
Catering is present on Al-Atlas trains. Not a whole restaurant car but they have a decently stocked cart passing through during the ride. The high-speed trains to have a dedicated restaurant car.
Interesting vid of a tidy system,I noticed that their new HS trains are double deck so should have some decent viewing from the top deck.Those Mauritanian ore trains with the passenger ''coaches'' on would be an experience!
Thank you for your great videos. In 2019, I travelled 4 weeks by train from Mwanza, Tanzania to Cape Town, South Africa crossing Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana on the way. A total of ~7000km and one of the greatest adventures of my life. Some of the trains were not going more than 30 km/h because the tracks were from colonial time and in very bad shape. One train arrived more than 24 hours late at the destination (taking 3 instead of 2 days). Unfortunately, the pandemic put a temporary end to many of the trains on this route so it is not possible now and I don't know if it will ever be.
Oh yeah, some of those destinations have really suffered in terms of trains... :(
Wonderful! A proper train with compartments. Nowhere near as beautiful as British Rail Mk 1, but to have the freedom to choose where to sit and open doors is refreshing in this day and age. Do they allow smoking?
Excellent video with fantastic vistas !
What a luxury. A few years ago I traveled by local bus from Fes to Marrakech and on to Essaouira. A bit cheaper and more of an adventure.
DID MY BOY OPEN THE TRAIN DOOR,
THATS CRAZY
Most enjoyable. Wish you had included footage of the Casablanca station.
Love the station ❤ from 🇮🇳
Seems like the train's setting is very similar to those of OBB nightjet!
The air conditioning in Corail coaches start to struggle on the hottest days in french summers, when the temperatures get above 35°. I wonder how it handles the 40°+ (which sometimes happen here too, now).
He mentioned that the train was modified to withstand the intense heat, i recon an air-conditioning upgrade is a part of that
I think door that's gate opens give me more good vibes then automatically closing door 😅
Gee it’s so scary the way the door just opens like that
😂😂😂
! Very Good !
Its not hot until its 48C to 55C. Morocco looks a lot more civilized than I would have imagined, the rail infrastructure also seems quite modern. In that climate, anything that gets flushed onto the track is going to be baked dry in minutes and blown away in a sand storm the next day LoL
What I like.
All tickets come with seat reservation.
Prices are okay. And first class is reasonably affordable.
Generally lax attitudes, they often ride with open doors in summer. Very pleasant.
Food and drink trolley.
Cons
People give absolutely zero shits about anything. And being located at your own paid seat is apparently optional (as is paying for tickets in the first place)
French signals, so you can see who built it! But very modern railways. Did the airco work well enough? Opening the door at 160 kmh / 100 mph not clever. At the end you open the door on the right hand side, where the second track is for the opposite running trains. Imagine someone on an on coming train also opens a door... they would hit each other.
Your carriege (incl. these doors) looks very much like 1970s West-German carriges of Deutsche Bahn , but with a nicer color selection ... this stsrt station ist beautiful ...
OMG , the price is dirt cheap
That escalator to the Marrakech train station upper level is still broken. At least since 2019 😁
One year later, it's still broken. But they did relocate the KFC downstairs.
Great video !!
I agree 🤗
Great vid! Have an idea to take this train south from Casablanca to Marrakesh, the sleeper back north to Tangiers, then a HST back to Casablanca over a long wknd. Someday...
The real desert train is the train that connects Oujda and Figug but you should have a reservation, I had done this adventure with my grandfather last summer in Morocco
In starting of the video bro talks like some announcements from railways or airport...😄😂
Grade A video per usual. Boy you get around! I was surprised at how clean and well maintained Moroccan train stations are given the extremely low price of train tickets.
Thanks haha, I've been a lot of places and can't wait to go to more! 🥰
omg! this kingdom's whereat my first school ever was (by an Atlantic fishing port)...and that 1st stop looks SO chic from the track here, the flair of that station EASILY champions glitzy Miami (never been there though) 🍸🍾
Morocco’s other true high speed lines are well planned in terms of cost and operation at 320 km/h- meanwhile phase 2 of HS2 planned for the 2040s, budget spiralling 💀
not the only failed planning HSR... CAHSR comes to mind...
🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ your comparing the cost of construction where people get liveable wages and you have to cater to nimbys by putting significant portions in tunnels or wrapped in sound barriers with one built in a developing nation where they’ll kick everyone out of a village if it’s in the way of the route with little compo, nimbys not listened to and you can pay mere £ per day? Lol 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
@@xr6lad Except thats not the only difference in costs. France, Italy, Spain - also all have significant NIMBY movements and high wages, and the costs aren't even close. Yes the population density around/between cities makes it difficult here with the tunnels etc. but you can't blame everything on them. The planning process, complicated environmental assessments, process of tendering contracts etc. all point to serious flaws in the UK's (and the Anglosphere's) embarrassing inability to deliver big infrastructure at managed costs and timeframes
I doubt whether the train this contributor travelled on should be classified as high-speed'!
Fun fact I took this train before Since I am a Moroccan myself it was the best
That's cool! Hope your trip was nice.
It looks very modern!
ive been on this train, we went both classes, on way back we took a first class ticket for 180 dh per person on the day, still pretty cheap for walk up fare 1 hr before departure
That's not bad at all! 😁
Awesome footage ! I love the ONCF E1400 - since the SYBIC it's Alstoms' only nice engine . ASTRIDE & PRIMA I are horrible designs . It's a shame ONCF doesn't take more care on the brillant Corail stock . It's a nice move to keep their old station buildings in an attractive shape too . I wonder how pricely accessible the Al Boraq trains are to the great majority of the common morrocan people .
Alboraq is not expensive for Moroccans at all, it's the opposite
Also the satisfation is 97 or 98%
Thank you! :)
@@AdamAzzr ! Thanks for the feedback - from somebody local ?
I honestly thought the difference between wouldn't be as small as 30% or less in many cases - I checked for trips between Tanger and Rabat/Casablanca/Marrakech for Tuesday18th.
Recently I was talking to a maroccan at the railway station - he told me, that the next HST in Marocco will be supported rather by Chinese industries. Will be interesting to follow this too.
@@The0070049
Yes the next bullet train will be in Agadir.
I heard that it's gonna be chinese and not french, but the deal is not made yet, apparently the chinese one costs less.
@@AdamAzzr China has some quite impressive railway engeneering !
So had Bombardier too - unfortunately rather in the freight sector - see "TRAXX" vs. "TwindexxSwissExpress" - cost savings were praised : "technology instead of concrete" ...
In neighouring Austria there's a first European order on the way (Westbahn if remember correctly) - Austria has a respectable railway engeneering standard too. It will be interesting to follow their experience.
wow I would love to go.O live in New Zealand ,long way away.
Good Vedio...nice shots.well explained...
To be honest, I would pay $14 , to sit on the step and watch that beautiful scenery
Yea. I would even pay double. . . What a rush. . .
I miss the comoartment seats in italy😢 wish they can come back
I found it curious that clearly they have invested in new stations and new trains but still partly use the compartment design which is something from the 1950s and earlier.
Nice ride at 160
Talk about SATUOeiras in Portugal. It was built (i am not sure) in 2005 and it was abandoned in 2015, due to lack of passengers and funds. It was a Automated System of transport, similar to Paris
Whenever I hear about Morocco, Nora Fatehi pops up in my mind. She is a very talented dancer glistening in Indian entertainment industry ❤
Oh nice! :)
@@SuperalbsTravels Search her name, you will fall in love
Well ONCF is actually searching for EMUs for Intercity Atlas service.
Por favor, los marroquies no tienes de que quejarse con sus trenes de media y larga distancia. En Argentina tenemos trenes para trayectos entre 500 a 1000 km. que andan a una velocidad de no mas de 45 km por hora. Un viaje a Mendoza de 1000 km., tarda 28 horas en llegar pues anda a 40 km/h en tren de pasajeros. Un verdadero desproposito, si tenemos en cuenta que hace 30 años se tardaba 15 horas.
You will enjoy a trip to Araku valley, borra caves from Vishakapatnam, or the Pune to Mumbai Deccan queen, or the Darjeeling or Shimla steam trains. Plan a visit to India if you get the opportunity. The trains might not be fast but they scenery makes up for it.
There are lot more such trips that I havent taken but are equally enjoyable.
There is! Can't you see it?
(It is the window that opens to world's biggest desert)
Question: what do you use to edit your videos?
I use DaVinci Resolve, it's a free software, and industry standard!
This train looks like more comfortable than some in eastern European countries.
Magic thankyou.
Very enjoyable video, it looks a fascinating country that certainly is looking to a great future especially for it's railways.
👍
You mentioned the word "desert" several times. The sahara desert is way south of Marrakesh and Agadir. You probably took that train in the summer where everything is dry. It's quite different in the winter or spring.
Great video, though.
Oh right, thanks for that! 😅
I will have to visit during the winter next time, or maybe try the line from Oujda to Bouarfa.
@@SuperalbsTravels
Yes. Oujda-Bouaarfa is a good choice. The train stops several times on the way, and they have a special crew who have to shovel the send off the rails before the train resumes its journey.
I think the seat selection is possible if you buy ticket from the ticket office.
The Online procedure did not allow the choice (Corridor Window Isolated ones if any,...).
That's a good point, I'll try that next time.
So... How did you solve the dirty window? Ain't there no service person or conductor?
Better than some European railways except for some safety aspects that need to be addressed.
Agreed!
cluster of trees are probably Argan trees, found only in Morocco