Taking the train Home Built by the Italian colonisers and once running from Massawa on the coast to Agordat in the west. The railway which fell into disrepair during the struggle for independence has been restored and now operates occasional journeys on the line between Asmara and Massawa. Given that the line climbs over 2300m through the mountains the stretch of the line near Asmara is a tremendous feat of engineering and offers superb views, although sometimes does feel like a white knuckle roller coaster. We went on a trip organised by the Isreli Embassy, in aid of the Eritrea War Disabled Fighters, using the original, painstakingly maintained original rolling stock.