Eritrea - Rebirth of a Railway - English • Great Railways

[@TwoFingeredMamma]

A 93 year old pattern maker and an 82 year old driver, incredible. Hats off to you guys.

[@danblanchflower5139]

What great local enterprise and workers. Eritrea shows in this film what Africa should be like Thanks for an absorbing documentary Nick

[@harvinderubhi5540]

That's humanity at it's amazing creativity....why it tends to destroy or implode onto itself is unbelievable.

[@naqurabatsie5016]

Eritrea is simply beautiful.

[@ahmedosman8827]

إريتريا فعلا جميلة ولكن خربتوها أنتم تغراي تغرينيا ربنا يخلصنا منكم ان شاءالله عن قريب

[@AlanFenick]

I was raised in Florida USA and had never seen a mountain or valley until I was assigned to Kagnew Station in 1963 when I was 18 years old, I’m now 80 years old remember the natural beauty. Both Eritrea and Ethiopia were and are stunningly beautiful!

[@HolaBruv]

​@@ahmedosman8827 التقرينيا هم ٥٥% من الشعب الاريتري بكلامك العتصري هذا أغلبية الشعب الاريتري خرب إريتريا ثم التقراي هم في إثيوبيا واخيرا هي اصلن في إريتريا يوجد حكم بي قوميه واحده ولا حكم متعدد القوميات؟؟

[@AbdihagimuseAbdidariiqo-vu6si]

Great. And hope Courage My brother 🇪🇷 from 🇸🇴 somalia. We must Come back 2country. Like before

[@pervezakhter8445]

My salute to the ereterian people. Well done. Bravo.❤

[@dianarier8746]

Learn to spell first...

[@BahreNeGash]

​@@dianarier8746 If you don't like the heat, stay away from the kitchen. If you don't like his spelling, don't read his posts. Face it, English is NOT your mother's language.

[@BahreNeGash]

Thank you for your encouraging support to the Eritrean people's determination to rebuild their motherland.

[@andersholt4653]

Thank you for a very well produced documentary, free from sensationalism. What a fantastic journey Eritrean Railways has undertaken. It shows Eritrea's faith in the future. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.

[@mohamudmohameddaar48]

Rather an amazing country... viva Eretrea

[@therealrobertbirchall]

Amazing that they rebuilt their railway with no interference from the IMF or the World Bank, just local tallent getting on with the job and not a private sector consultancy or foreign bank to be seen. Well done Eritrea ❤❤ I hope you thrive.

[@BaronEvola123]

They have in-house, slave labor.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

@StammeringHeights. or willing patriots who want to see their and their neighbours lives get better.

[@TwoFingeredMamma]

I'm sure the Eritrean government has a copy of "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins lying around somewhere.

[@andrewjones4773]

They used slave labour all need to go into the army with out pay

[@hubertdixon6584]

What a good example for the rest of Africa to follow. Even South Africa.

[@miketodd3958]

I lived in Asmara for 18 months and came away with a great respect for the Eritrean people. They were honorable people who took great pride in their work. My heart has been broken by the political news coming from it in recent years. This video is a breath of fresh air to me. And it reaffirms my faith in a splendid people. Yes. This railroad should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Question: how is it that the filming and production are dated 2004 and the video just recently shows up on KZbin?

[@lannydante9390]

I lived in Asmara for 18 months also …1966-67 dad was on the U.S. Army.

[@NicholasLera-kd5tj]

The film was initially designed for TV release but when ready wasn't eligible on technical grounds, unfortunately being made on the old standard 4:3 screen ratio instead of the new requirement of widescreen 16:9. A period of DVD release was therefore necessary in order to recoup my costs. It's now been put on UTube following the virtual demise of physical media. I hope this answers your question. I'm glad you enjoy the film as much as I enjoyed making it, in large part due to the aspects of the country and its people that you mention. You may also like to know that railway operation for Asmara's townsfolk on Sunday trips on the mountain section, plus a weekly goods run on the coastal reaches (as shown in my film) fell into abeyance following the sad passing of the railway's general manager Amanuel Ghebreselassie (seen in the film chatting to an Englishman in the littorina). Overseas tourists' specials continued for a few years, but other issues, plus the Covid pandemic, put everything on hold until the last couple of years. Starting 18 months ago, tour groups have been welcomed again, and even as I write this a German group are having the time of their lives with steam trips on the mountain section!

[@TomRuthemann]

So good to hear it''s going on! @@NicholasLera-kd5tj

[@robinwells8879]

Not sure if the UNesco monolith will be very welcome considering their part in the Eritrean’s past travails. This is a wonderful uplifting story of inspiring self help and literally the beating swords into plough sheers. It’s a venue worthy of anyones bucket list and hopefully that will ensure it will continue to exist. Thanks for sharing this with me. ❤

[@PhotoslotTV]

A stunning film beautifully filmed @@NicholasLera-kd5tj

[@Neldot]

Italian engineering and architecture and beautiful Eritrean land and people! Thanks for this wonderful documentary.

[@BF-bb5us]

Yes and Lets not forget that Eritrean labour built them

[@keshi5541]

And Eritrean labour.

[@Mohi35]

MY BLESSED & BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ERITREA! THANK YOU SO MUCH GREAT RAILWAYS!

[@Sohave]

Watching these old men reminds me of the heritage railways of the west, only here they are not just restoring an amazing railroad, they are restoring a life line and in it, their country. This railway is astonishing a candidate for a world heritage site. The best of luck to the People and Rollstock of Eritrea.

[@Asmerana]

Thank you🙏🏽

[@michaeltb1358]

The way they rebuilt so much from practically nothing is amazing. And the result must be one of the most interesting rail journeys in the world. Superb camera work and editing.

[@johncourtneidge]

Yes, both!

[@harvinderubhi5540]

Not rebuilt from nothing. ..all the initial hard and sweat had been done... restoration is not easy so full credit to those involved in the rebuild not forgetting the vision to bring the line to life.

[@Buckeystown]

I lived there for 2 1/2 years and took the Litorina to Massawa once. A lot of memories, especially of the Asmara scenes in the introduction. I walked or road past the cathedral almost every day. The drive down the Massawa Road is also memorable.

[@anwarhaq9000]

Great people and amazing country, I spent about 4 years 1994 - 98 and left just before Ethiopia attacked Asmara airport around Easter in April 1998.

[@dianarier8746]

Ethiopia attacked? Are you sure!!! 🤨🧐 ...

[@anwarhaq9000]

@@dianarier8746 I was already out of Eritrea and was told by my Eritrean friends that Ethiopia attacked at the Asmara airport. I used to live in Samble complex.

[@wediaradom5324]

​@@dianarier8746 yes very sure.

[@fortunam2729]

​@@dianarier8746Yes they .I was there.

[@BahreNeGash]

​@@dianarier8746 How soon did you forget that the Ethiopian TPLF missiles, bombing Asmara? It's too bad you can NOT deceive all the people, all of the time.

[@Semay125]

Absolutely fantastic film. I love my country and miss it every day. The film gave me different perspective of the beauty of the land scape and how blessed we are to have this country. ❤🇪🇷❤️🇪🇷🌹🙏🏽

[@Rosco-P.Coldchain]

Where are you now my friend

[@folkeholmberg3519]

I think this is the best railway documentary ever made. So interesting and illustrative.

[@OrlandoGustar]

I believe you, you're right

[@Raj-nh3fc]

What a wonderful documentary. Let us hope that some country like India that has a large experience in railway engineering and management helps Eritreans to establish a fully functional railway system with both the steam and diesel engines. India did have a big meter gauge system before. Now almost every line is a broad gauge in India and electrified too. But they have the knowledge.

[@fortunam2729]

Ohh You so Kind❤❤❤❤

[@iansuehooper7542]

A truly wonderful, interesting video of an absolutely beautiful country one hears little about, other than when wars break out. Those steam trains are magical and the people who restored them deserve medals, along with all those people who restored all that track work by hand!! That rail bender was great to see. Thank you Nick for this video and all the others I (Ian) watch.

[@mikestirewalt5193]

"Absolutely beautiful country?" Are you blind? It's a firewood-stripped desert at best and a bombed out desolate fourth-world backwater everywhere else. The history of the railroad is interesting along with the Lion of Judah gate leftover from Ethiopia's glory days. As in the rest of Africa, the railroad is a product of outside countries attempts to bring civilization to Africa (while exploiting it in the process.)

[@ReggieArford]

It's a desert, not "firewood-stripped". As for being "bombed out", that was neither the Eritreans' nor the Europeans' fault. They've done well by Eritrea and its people, and I wish them great success in rebuilding what War destroyed. @@mikestirewalt5193

[@FTStratLP]

​@@mikestirewalt5193 It is very beautiful though.

[@ataurrahman2760]

@@mikestirewalt5193 You do have a sense of humor! You are however, absolutely correct on - " the railroad is a product of outside countries attempts to bring civilization to [a colony] (while exploiting it in the process.)"

[@SelamEri-lx3km]

@@mikestirewalt5193 Ethiopian glory days? The lion of Juda? What have you been smoking? No one can mistake the era of the Freemason puppet king with glory unless you belonged to the tiny elite that have benefited at the expense of the many. Just like the zionist Israeli are uprooting olive trees in Palestine, the war criminals in Ethiopia have done the same to Eritrean landscape. Hundreds of trucks were hauling tree logs every week from Eritrea to Ethiopia. Their excuse was the freedom fighters are hiding in the trees. In Eritrea everything was targeted for burning including its mountains. You have a hell of a nerve to criticize Eritrea after the devastation you left behind. Everything you planned and did to Eritrea, will come back to burn your country into ashes.

[@alfredbatchelor1954]

I spent some time in Asmara on a project in 1991, I took the trip down to Massawa, visiting the war graves, fond memories.

[@andyfalk1428]

Outstanding documentary, hats off to the production team and camera guys, but biggest acclaim to the people of Eritrea. Having run a vintage train in Cape Town for seven years some 18 years back, and the total lack of support from National Railways and Government as to preservation and future vintage tourist potential, with incredible existing structures, lines and experience expertise, it is such a waste as to what steam and historic railways could have been for posterity in South Africa. Well done Eritrea.

[@paulhaynes8045]

What an amazing railway - and film! Thank you for making this, it must have taken some incredible logistics and planning to film. So much more than a railway film, too - the history, the old engineers, brought out of retirement to perform miracles (totally unfazed!), the scenery, the old engines, somehow still doing the Impossible... Just fantastic.

[@Richard-fs9un]

What an eye opener this film is. I'm certainly going to visit. Thank you so much.

[@ancharotube7658]

You will be welcomed with open arms.

[@Richard-fs9un]

@@ancharotube7658 Thank you so much!

[@ancharotube7658]

@@Richard-fs9un you are most welcome🙏

[@Eurobazz]

What a wonderful video. It's great to see the Eritreans have a pride in re-building their railway.

[@Findgod222]

@dylansabasteanski2361why do ppl say stuff like this. The railway was rebuilt in the 90s way before Eritrea became an oppressive dictatorship. No body was forced to rebuild it, Eritreans who used to work on the railway during the 1930s and 40s rebuilt it.

[@joyaku3078]

It is backward trend downfall of Eritrea economy while modern hyrdoelctric powered container raiway system is built in neighbouring Ethiopia transporting high volume containers from Djibouti port to Ethiopia daily. This is progress

[@Findgod222]

@@joyaku3078 maybe china can help build a railway in Eritrea like they did with Ethiopia. The Chinese did an amazing job building that railway.

[@abdalkarimhazot1254]

​@@joyaku3078دا م تطور انت م عندك حاجه تكوله وتشيل ضين من دول وماتقدر تدفعو واختضادك منتهي إثيوبيا يحكموها الغرب للعملاء ولي هسي عمله وارتريا يحكمها من شعبا ويطورها شعبها ماتغرن ارتريا بي إثيوبيا إثيوبيا دي مامكانها يقولو نحنو مافي دولة استعمرتنا والشعب كل شهر ينتضر رديت UNوتقول تطور

[@M_O_P.Limited]

The Chinese are after their interests in Africa.

[@ots2023]

Thank you very much for doing excellent documentary film. I am an Eritrean and I am happy to learn about railway history.

[@vinayaksharma8101]

The best train journey of 21st century. ❤ to Eritrea.

[@Bizuayehu-l2w]

Really 😢 ….

[@BahreNeGash]

​@@Bizuayehu-l2w Oh yeah,,, Some of us enjoy the scenery & the pleasure of riding the train in the old fashion way, more than racing in electric bullet trains desperately trying to reach our destination & catch up with our breath.

[@philiposborne8598]

This is a fabulous documentary, well narrated with magnificent camera angles, giving real insight into the workings of this wonderful railway.

[@stuartwren5526]

What a great railway and wonderfully filmed .🇬🇧

[@deathvalley1592]

THANK YOU FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA. GREAT, GREAT VIDEO.👍👍👍👍👍

[@daviddobson6108]

Thank you from USA for sharing your documentary.

[@Raj-nh3fc]

Just realised that Asmara station lies at an altitude of 7628 feet and that makes it higher than the Ghoom station in Darjeeling railway at 7407 feet and how many of us have heard of Asmara Eritrean railway as compared to the often mentioned Darjeeling railway. The Darjeeling railway is much older though. Not only that, the Eritrean railway of more than 100 km, literally leaves behind Darjeeling railway by miles. Well done Italians! By the way I grew up in Darjeeling admiring the railway there and I still do but the credit must be given where it is due.

[@alannewman85]

Amazing sight! The commitment of those elderly experts is quite touching.

[@bosassable]

Very enjoyable documentary, thanks so much , I learned something I've never known about Africa.

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Its a wonderfull railway, kudos to the people involved in its revival and upkeep. Like the Italian engineering, their hardware was certainly upto the task. I remember reading that back in the day, the firm of Lancia even built railcars which they even exported to Czarist Russia. Their railway in Somalia would also be a good viewing. Thanks for posting.

[@nirinsukavalli1960]

Thank you from Thailand. Excellent documentary video clip on railway I have ever seen.

[@raseedfaarah9311]

I am Somali and I love Eriterians brother and sisters ❤❤❤❤ I really enjoyed it

[@BahreNeGash]

Somalia is the only independent nation who stood by the Eritreans for decades since the inception of the Eritrean independence struggle. Therefore, Eritreans are honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Somali people. Peace & love to our Somali brothers & sisters.

[@richardmalone8329]

Truly remarkable. Thank you. I can only try to imagine what it took to make, with all those lineside shots. We visited the line in 1998, before the lines were relaid and it is marvellous to see the progress made. Congratulations to all.

[@annemaria5126]

More than 60 years ago I experienced travelling from the Netherlands to Paris in a steam train. I did not know until I opened the window and closed it right away. A once in a lifetime trip.

[@martinsaunders2942]

The Italians, having such a mountainous country were very adept at make roads and railways through this type of terrain.. A wonderful film, and I only hope that they get the whole railway working again soon..

[@NicholasLera-kd5tj]

The problem with keeping the whole railway open is that the section between Nefasit and Ghinda in the lower reaches of the Rift Valley is constantly at risk from rock falls. Check 43.10 in the film. The ground here consists of millions of years of loose material cascaded from the higher mountain reaches where the railway is so spectacular. Unfortunately it isn't sustainable to re-establish the gangs of workmen fomerly stationed at Ghinda for rock clearance, just for a few tourist trains a year. The current policy to bring back container freight traffic to make the railway economically viable has not so far been implemented. The scores of tunnels on this 95cm gauge railway are barely wide enough except for passing through at walking pace, meaning either the trackbed in them has to be lowered, a huge task, or special rolling stock has to be obtained, a huge investment. It would be no exaggeration to say the Eritrean Railway management is between a rock and a hard place on this issue.

[@BF-bb5us]

@conradped.7527 nice romanisation they built them whilst denying the indigenous people the rights to walk freely in their own country.

[@heavent883]

After WW2 when the britsh came they destroyed more then 600 industries and the cable way was stolen by them and shipped off to Pakistan and then they left, there is a saying in Eritrea while Italians build the British destroy, anyway thanks for this amazin documentary I enjoy it specially how the elders were working hard to rebuilt the railway despite their old age.

[@laurencedarabia2000]

Elderls trained by Italians 50 years earlier

[@heavent883]

@@laurencedarabia2000 yeah know i ain't dumb

[@leehale5828]

Simply ridiculous. It was the British that defeated the Italians and restored Haile Selassie to power in 1941. Haile then followed well laid trails of nepotism taking everything of value for himself and his family. He then allowed all the infrastructure built by the Italians to fall into ruin. The Italians were masters of engineering and railroad building, that 100 years later, the bridges and roadbeds can be put back into service.

[@heavent883]

@@leehale5828 what you babling about Eritrea was not part of Ethiopia it was part of Italian empire the British defeated the Italians and restored Haile Selassie to power in 1940 , in 1942 the British defeated the Italians in Eritrea and govern it and when they were governing Eritrea they destroyed industries and cable ways until they left.

[@leehale5828]

What are babbling about? Like I said "It was the British that defeated the Italians and restored Haile Selassie to power in 1941. Haile then followed well laid trails of nepotism taking everything of value for himself and his family." It took a civil war for Eritrea to regain its independence from Ethiopia. Eritrea was annexed / federated into Ethiopia in 1950. Civil war followed and Eritrea finally got its independence in 1993. If to want to feel sympathy for Eritrea forget about the Italians and Brits and take a hard look at Haile Selassie. It is also worth remembering that the Italians built the cableway along with significant infrastructure in the Port of Massawa. They paid for Eritrea's and Ethiopia's freedom in blood and took possession of the Italian infrastructure as war reparations. You should perhaps stop looking back and placing blame and instead focus on the future. @@heavent883

[@matteohetzy7599]

My university was built inside the historical factory of Ceretti & Tanfani (the company still exists) , the main company that built the cableway Massaua-Asmara (other 2 companies manufactured the steel cables and the diesel engines), the corridors were full of compositions made up of the original casting models for all the pulleys, arms, etc.

[@bibi-vr5zf]

hope you can share the images and videos of it

[@matteohetzy7599]

@@bibi-vr5zf not really. Has been a long time since the last time I was in my "Alma Mater" and I have no pictures. But Here under the roof you can see a few wheels/pulleys maps.app.goo.gl/ViwT7XZmXDShLtRB9 And here the old secondary gate in rationalistic style (the main was older) with still the factory name on it maps.app.goo.gl/zRp8TkzGKrTwMxmn8 There are plenty more wooden forms for pulleys etc inside some corridors of the low central buildings called B8 but I can't find images of the interiors

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what the orator was describing. Much hard physically demanding work. Replacing/repairing miles of rail way line.🚂🚂. The Gov't made a worth while endeavor. Replacing the rail way🚂🚂. Along with the harbor docks😉. Enjoying this presentation from the comfort of my computer room. Along the " Space Coast " 🚀of Florida 🐊🐊🐊. Wishing viewers & residents a safe/healthy/prosperous (2024). 🎭🎭

[@awettesfandrias3395]

Great information ℹ️ history thank very much from Eritrea 🇪🇷

[@franzliszt4257]

Eritrean is most amazing as displayed in this movie. That they were in able to rebuilt is a testament to the Italian and Eritrean ingenuity.

[@dianarier8746]

😂😛😛😂😝😝😝😂😂😂😛😛😛

[@Senait-p4u]

​@@dianarier8746😭😭😭😭😁

[@horacefields736]

It's all the bridges with the Roman arches that makes this rail line so Italian.

[@Itsjustme-Justme]

Throughout continental Europe the vast majority of preserved 19th century railway bridges are designed the Italian way. Tens of thousands of Italian railway workers were employed in many European countries from the mid 19th century until the outbreak of WW1. Even though the engineers who planned the track layout usually were locals, the experience the Italian workers had with certain design principles were put into good use.

[@GianniBarberi]

I'm Italian and this is new to me, but I've heard this railway with more than 200 tunnels and bridges was built by Indians brought in by English. The Italian rule should have been later.

[@horacefields736]

@@GianniBarberi No British and probably used local labor, since this was built while being an Italian colony. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrean_Railway

[@alokbahuguna284]

Very good documentry ,old railway man is the real hero of this film.Time traveling train

[@johncourtneidge]

Entirely astounding! I want to go and live there! Kudos to both the present-day Eritraean government for remediating/restoring/reinvigorating this astonishing legacy and to various previous Italian governments and engineers for its initial building and equipment. Idiot governments of the Global north-west and global soth kindly take note!

[@Ayngage]

Soon i will... from CANADA...UR WELL COME ANY TIME...READY TO HELP WITH A COUPLE OF THINGS. BORN 1955 IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY...

[@dianarier8746]

Good Luck...!!!😛😂😛 Visit first.

[@Guitar6ty]

Superb photography and awesome achievement by the railway workers.

[@joyaku3078]

HATS OFF to italian railroad builders. I can not imagine the challenges they faced then

[@Semay125]

The Eritreans build it by hand inch by inch. This why they knew how to fix it from nuts and bolts to designing the replacement.

[@BF-bb5us]

Yes the challenges of watching the indigenous people building them

[@benediktmorak4409]

Kudos to the Narrator and also the film crew. It is just explained and shown -that was it, and that's what we have now. and that was the reason why--. No condescending voice. No - Houston we have a problem - hooplah... Wonder though,if one would go back now, 2024, and film.What would one find now?

[@streetcorner1738]

Agree! They deserve the Oscar if it was awarded by skill ❤

[@gfurstnsu]

This is a wonderful look into this story of a railroad in this little known country. You have covered it all,the trains,the rebuilding and the people who made it possible. I also wish to say that the narrator has a rich voice that is a pleasure to listen to. I really enjoyed every minute of this video as I sit here in South Korea where no steam locomotive runs.

[@patricknoveski6409]

Bummer

[@yilmabekele9250]

Wonderful story. It shows human inginuity at its best, they did their best with what they got.and and it was very satisfying, thank you for a wonderful story.

[@denjhill]

Well done. Hard work and determination made it possible. Excellent video.

[@michaeleades574]

Fantastic video the views breathtaking 👍

[@malamutehunter]

It’s amazing they did all of this themselves! I’m really impressed by the people, and now I wanna visit to ride this railway!

[@jkardez4794]

Thanks for a wonderful ride through Eritrea.

[@paulebberson4884]

Unbelievably well shot footage of an incredible railway. Full of interesting information, Amazing that a railway can be brought back to life after so long.

[@pusikurac12345]

Wow everything in this video was just superb: 1/ The fact that these awesome trains are brought back into service and they look just like my drawings of trains when I was a little kid (I did switch to drawing diesels as I grew older, I mean, GE locos were just too awesome to ignore haha), but this train in this scenery (gorgeous) looks like a model train and straight out of a fairy tale (of a train nerd hehe) 2/ The narration was beautiful, editing funny and perfect 3/ 18:25 - YEAH BUDDY!! HIP HOP MUSIC being invented 4/ the train machinist is the GUiness World of Records triple holder: 1 - quietest man alive; 2- Happiest man alive; 3 - Luckiest man alive 5/ This video actually made me consider that next time I get some free time for vacation, I'll just go to Eritrea and take this train from town to town and chill with locals, cause the people were precious in so many ways, the faces of hard working men and women, not making fuss and smiling, laughing, kids running around happy and being lucky to actually have a steam train out of a movie part of their childhood environment in 2024 6/ Had no idea that Mussolini was so involved with the place, I despise colonizing and nations which even today maintain their desire to exploit what\s not theirs (aka stealing), UK, France, almost every EU nation (today Germany with the EU) based their wealth on resources they hauled from these places, its shameful... and while Italians obviously did exploit the resources etc, they were well just too: Italian.. They were Italian of course,. so they were "fabulous", feathers and uniforms and all, probably too fabulous to remain successful colonizers who only built the basic and necessary for hauling out the goods... but Italians and Mussolini wanted to do this in style capishe, ee?, building these bridges in style,. the viaducts, tunnels, stations, buildings within towns, even the restored fiat bus thing on tracks... so in a way, this colonial episode might be forgiven cause at least the locals now have something to work with, and by the look of this, they will make great income on this railroad just for tourism, which they can then reinvest in something more sustainable. I wish them all the luck, really do!

[@annemaria5126]

'De stoker en de machinist...'.... What dedication! What teamwork!

[@wjo576]

Greetings from Bahrain... I'm overwhelmed with the excellent videography. Appreciatiating the efforts made by you. It's unbelievable that such a railway exists. Want to visit Eritrea, but it's difficult to obtain visas. Maybe someday it will be possible.

[@DavidNfila]

Excellent photojournalism! I enjoyed it from Botswana.

[@ChristianDeysson]

Tremendous and highly inspiring ! Thank you for the adventure...❤❤❤

[@ataurrahman2760]

An excellent documentary! A jaw dropping work repairing the locomotives and put them to work. I will sure remember that rail bending device.

[@robinharper-x2k]

Well done Nick Lera and his film crews for a well crafted and filmed piece of this railway and it's history and equipment.

[@nigelbarlow3506]

Fantastic film. The amount of time effort and resource you’ve put into the production is mind boggling. Thank you for sharing.

[@alannewman85]

Excellent documentary! Getting the cameras into position must have been challenging!

[@wdasiemelaektmedia1147]

Waaaaaaaw Thank you dear May Our God beless Our Beloved Eritrea and it's Beloved People 🙏🙏🙏

[@OrlandoGustar]

I just chanced upon this video & by the way this channel looked it could have been slow & boring but I ended up enjoying it so much & I was fascinated by the presentation that I now became a subscriber....looking forward to more videos of this kind of subject

[@michelbeauloye4269]

Thank you for sharing this remarkable documentary. Since I personally know Eritreans refugees from the local dictature, I shall not miss to show it to them during the next gathering. I am sure to see tears on their faces and remarks like "I was there" and "Look this landscape is where I come from", and so on

[@Asmerana]

My utter respect for @Nick Lera, what an excellent documentary of my birth place, Eritrea. Better than discovery channel, the narrative is fantastic. I hope you revisit Eritrea again and make another documentary, either on the islands or the game park which few people know about, thanks.🫶🏽🇪🇷

[@NicholasLera-kd5tj]

Dear 'Asmerana'. Your positive comments are really appreciated, especially regarding the narrative which I took great care to write. It took 3 visits to research and film this documentary, and I'm very glad I made the effort, the last of my major projects, when in my early 60s. The helpful co-operation of the relevant authorities was exemplary. But it will be for others to document the other aspects of Eritrea you mention, as I have now reached the age of 83 and haven't made a film for 15 years now.

[@Asmerana]

@@NicholasLera-kd5tj Thank you ever so much and I hope you enjoy your retirement to the full.🙏🏽

[@patricknoveski6409]

This is a huge win for this little country. Plus , what a great treat for fans of Steam railroading! Beyond anything in the U.S. & such charm. In a Country I've never heard of. Well done film. Thank you. P.j.Signs Carpinteria Calif.

[@johnanthony4194]

Absolutely fascinating. I had looked at history of this railway before and was amazed to see that it was running again. So sad that so much suffering continues in Africa.

[@billblair3941]

Fascinating, absolutely fascinating! A very well done documentary.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

A truly remarkable feat and so beautifully filmed! :Didn't you have and earlier version of this-)

[@mavadelo]

You know how you watch a longfrom video and kinda skip through the less interesting/boring parts? Yeah... nothing of the sort happened for this video. This was a-MA-zing. Mad respect for the people of Eritrea for being able to revive and seemingly still maintain this historical route. I watch a crapton of trip report videos from some of the bigger "railway Tubers" but sadly never came across this gem despite them traveling routes in arguably way more dangerous countries. Maybe this is not for Noel Philips but DowneyLive, Nonstop Eurotrip, Superalbs... come one guys... this is right up your alley.

[@almaztec]

I 💕 it

[@benyamtadesse7007]

Very good documentry ,old railway man is the real hero of this film.Time traveling train. From Harar Ethiopia I Love Eritrea their people

[@glentheseira308]

Such a beautiful sight at 25.00 where the double header steam locomotives along the harbor, just gliding along like days gone by....haiz ...thanks for the upload.

[@benyamtadesse7007]

Very good documentary ,old railway man is the real hero of Eritrea. I'm From Harar Ethiopia I Love Eritrea and their people

[@habtommebrahtom4932]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary

[@salehtaha826]

Excellent documentary thank you for the makers and the participants I really enjoyed it

[@M_O_P.Limited]

Beautiful landscapes and peaceful country on the surface❤❤❤

[@patrickspeaight9154]

Thank you, appreciated the amount of time you have taken to walk us through the journey. The explanation of the skills used was fascinating.

[@luigifranceschi2350]

To upgrade a little the rail stock here are still few lines in Italy that still use the 950 mm gauge and diesel . I’m pretty sure that they could get some donations of older stock but still usable. Could be very useful especially for freight. The 950 mm gauge ( 1000 mm from center to center rail ) has been used only by the Italians.

[@yohannesaradom8656]

This is a pride for Eritreans the grandfathers aged 74, 80, 82 and 93 years old gentelmen who accumulated knowledge from the colonial Italian rules to repair the railways and able to run like they used to after a long break from Massawa to Asmara is miracle. Eritreans can do anything if they are given just simply FREEDOM. I don’t have words to put here these gentlemen did with bare hands with re-recyckled materials with a principled self-sufficient to show to the world what Eritreans can do if they have democracy and a right government. Thirty three years Eritreans got robbed their freedom lost opportunities and the young Eritreans forced to abandon their beloved country live as refugees throughout the world. Time is approaching today in Eritrea for freedom and Eritreans ready to go back home to claim their country and make it A FREE COUNTRY & MOVING FORWARD & BE PART OF THE FREE WORLD. We Eritreans have seen how our fathers and grandfathers used to work and we have acquired their values - hard working and tomorrow will be repeated those values. JUST NEED FREEDOM.

[@shida2004]

Just enjoy watching. The government made this possible you to see it.

[@yordanostafla8252]

@yohannesaradom, Eritrea is still doing fine with young patriots of present government that is named Shabiya. Shabiya ,,in Arabic means People. And on this Video,we see even the elderly Past Railway employee, teaching and The Youth National Service Youngest, hand hand with the collaboration of our Sjabiya Government Now, In 2024, The Government Had built 805 Dams All over Eritrea, and is still building Dams. Not to be dependent on Foreign Good Aid,vthe Government is helping the people to farm independently, or in a group to sustain their lives Infant mortality has decreased and our sisters are having children safely. Vaccination has rached all parts of Eritrea. So don't try to destroy the dignity and pride of Eritrea, because you are an enemy or jealous of The country professing fast.

[@yordanostafla8252]

No nonsense Opposition outside party is claiming or Saving Eritrea. Eritrea is foingvfine the present Leaders and will continue do so until the people who are inside Eritrea say so. Viva Eriyrea

[@yordanosmehari3470]

What about who working there u may feel no freedom to u. But u can't represent to all Eritreans. As a citzen its our duty to build our country beside we protect it with too much complain no progress have u seen the young men working there with time they create another. Without challenge no change the only way is accept and u will shine slowly.

[@OldTrucker958]

These are simply phenomenal documentaries. Great history lesson also. My hat is off to all involved

[@NicholasLera-kd5tj]

Thank you for your favourable comments. I would recommend 'From Burma To The River Kwai' which has just been posted on this Channel.

[@msjayakody3232]

Most facinating video document I ever saw.

[@VC_27]

Fascinating piece of railway history! Eritrea just became a part of my bucket list.

[@shida2004]

Thank you Sir for making this video.We Eritreans love you very much.🇪🇷

[@ምእንቲመጎጎትሕለፍኣንጭዋ]

Best documentary on Eritrean railway.

[@MADANAVANAM]

Tremendously restored with minimum infrastructure and back to normal. Good work Eritrea

[@michaelbahta8610]

Excellent n exceptionally magnificent presentation. Thank you for showing Hugh effort in bringing light to the hard working people of Ere. It takes one to know one❤❤❤❤❤

[@generybarczyk6993]

Extraordinary! Thanks. I learned a lot.

[@arievanderzouwen1954]

Thanks. Great report!

[@jamesraymond1158]

Excellent narration and photography, Intelligent.

[@grahamf57]

Amazing documentary, so much a part of Africa which is generally unknown. Beautiful architecture and engineering. Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. (I love Africa) ❤

[@dhananjoydas9966]

Wonderful, many thanks

[@nejathassen2480]

Thank you very much for doing excellent documentary film ❤👍🇪🇷

[@WillemRatte-n5o]

Thank you for a wonderful video, - and the absence of the usual propaganda.

[@gedionmesfin1821]

Thank you for this Beautiful story!!

[@geonmzahsan6640]

Beautiful restoration. India can gift a few locomotives & coaches

[@GérardPacthod]

très très bien bon courage à tous ces gens