Choum to NDB - train times

[anidiotabroad]

Can anybody tell me the general departure time from CHOUM of the iron-ore train headed WEST to NDB.

I have read that there are 3 trains daily, but only one takes passengers. Does this mean only one has a passenger carriage, my point being can you go iron-ore class on the other 2 trains, or only on the passenger train.

In the spirit of give and take, and to show I have searched, here's what I have found out:

The Train leaves NDB heading East at about 14:30(africa time) daily.
Journey time: 11-12 hours, 1000 Ouguiya for a crowded 2nd class carriage, or free in the ore-cars.
- A very good account of the journey is on this travelog:
http://www.hansrossel.com/africa/mauritania.html

The SNIM site ( http://www.snim.com/carnet/trainEn.html )doesn't seem to have any schedule info - am I missing a link?

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- an idiot abroad

[patonki]

we meet again
my mauritanian friends told me that the "one" of the three is the only one that actually stops at choum.

the taxi drivers in atar know what time the train leaves so they'll get you to choum on time for it. in any case there's no other reason to go to choum...

[anidiotabroad]

Hi Tonk
Oh well, have to just go with that then.

"there's no other reason to go to choum... " - - tut tut tonk. Where's your sense of adventure? everywhere's worth going to ;-)

[patonki]

ahh well in my defence it was very dark when i was there. maybe i missed some hidden charm ! the floor is very comfortable to lie on though !

[anidiotabroad]

One more stage of planning completed today - found a nice big nylon refuse sack to keep my rucksack clean. now i need to find one for me.