Al Burhan Group had signed a contract in 2008 with Iraqi Republic Railway to deliver 2 Kershaw Sand Removal Machines – Model 46-6 in 2009. Al Burhan Group has been working with Kershaw/Progress Rail to get the machines shipped on the 31st of December 2009, on Wallensius Wilhelmsen Lines to Um Qasr via Jabel Ali.

The machine will be one of the most superior machines used for removing sand from the train tracks. It’s the first time such a machine is being added to the Iraqi Republic Railway’s fleet of railway equipment. This machine will enable the IRR to focus on the dust covered track in the Western part of the country. This would improve the links between Iraq and its Western neighbours.

The American company - Progress Rail Group who specialize in supplying railway equipment to the rail way sector, will conduct tests on the machines to verify it reaches Um Qasr in working condition. These sand removal machines are powered by powerful Caterpillar engines, which woudl enable them to withstand the harsh conditions of the Iraqi terrains.

In order to be able to use these modern machines efficiently a group of four engineers & technicians will attend a training program in the US. Such training would give much needed hands on experience for the engineers to use and maintain the Sand Removal machines.