The limited railway network has more or less was not in operation between 1988 and 2008. Liberia's railroads are all owned by the country's mining companies, and their 480 km of track were used primarily to transport iron ore to the ports of Monrovia and Buchanan. In 1989, Liberia had three rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with the Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad, closed in 1989 after iron ore production ceased. The other two were shut down by the civil war; large sections of the rail lines have been dismantled; approximately 60 km of railroad track was exported for scrap in 2001. There are two separate systems, with two lines from Monrovia and one line from Buchanan.

Key Route Information

NOTE:

Though these rail roads are currently not in operation. The BMC rail road is being partially operated by Geoservices, a Liberian company for transporting goods (scrap metal among other things) from the Bong Mine to Monrovia. The rail links offer future benefits to Liberia. The former LAMCO railroad cuts the country in half making it a potential distribution artery for the southeast and northeast as well as foster needed development in leeward parts of Liberia. Currently, the Government of Liberia retains ownership but may grant right to develop, use, operate, and maintain same to the concessionaire.

Key Stations

System A
Gauge: 1,067 mm, Total Length: 145 km (Currently not in operation)
Monrovia, Brewerville, Vonzuahn, Tubmanburg, Mano River, Jenje (railhead)

System B
Gauge: 1,435 mm, Total Length: 78 km (Currently the only functional line)
Monrovia (port and national capital) – Careysburg – Bong (railhead and mine). The Bong Mines line runs 80 km from the Bong Mines in Lower Bong County to the Freeport of Monrovia. The line was used to transport iron ore during the company’s operation prior to the war. The railroad now serves as a major route of transporting goods, particularly farm produce including charcoal from Bong Mines and to over a hundred towns and villages along the line to Monrovia. There are no roads following the same route, so it is well used - Source: www.frontpageafrica.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=10048 accessed 23^rd November 2009

System C
Gauge: 1,435 mm, Total length: 250 km (Currently not in operation)
Buchanan Port, Mehla, Yela, Sanokwelle, Sanniquellie, Yekepa, Nimba, (railhead and Lamco mine)