The November-December 2010 edition of the Thomas Cook Overseas Timetable marked the publication’s thirtieth anniversary and was the last one to see print. Only recently have we see the start of any Afghan international rail connection as rail is laid to connect Turkmenistan and Afghanistan..

Perhaps this will provide some compensation for those who still mourn the passing of the Thomas Cook reference. It is curious that the rail connection is to the north. Laying tracks south or east could make for a connection on the extensive South Asian system put in place by the British. Rail line to the west would make for a very direct connection to Europe and the Atlantic.

Still, it is nice to see Afghanistan getting involved with rail transport even though it is too late to see a listing in Thomas Cook. We can now speculate on when tickets will be available for the Ashgabat International Express.

Tolo filed these notes last month at the time of the inauguration ceremony for the project;

Turkmenistan Begins Construction of Rail Line Connecting Afghan Border