US Ambassador excited about first train journey in Bangladesh

Brent Christensen, US Ambassador to Dhaka, has expressed excitement over his first train journey experience after assuming responsibilities in Bangladesh. He inspected Bangladesh Railway’s Central Locomotive Workshop in Parbatipur of Dinajpur and then travelled by train to Saidpur Railway Station in Nilphamari on Tuesday (September 1).

Talking to reporters at Saidpur Railway Station after the train journey, Brent Christensen said this was his first trip on Bangladesh Railway. Although he has experience of travelling by train in various countries, he described this Bangladesh journey as special. He said he likes travelling by train very much.

The US ambassador said the locomotive used in this journey was manufactured by the US company Progress Rail. He also highlighted the long-standing technological relations between Bangladesh Railway and the United States. During the inspection of the Parbatipur workshop, he praised the skills and dedication of Bangladeshi engineers, technical staff and related personnel.

Regarding technological cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States, Christensen said the combination of American technology with the skills of Bangladeshi engineers and workers is the main strength of this partnership. He also said several more US companies including Progress Rail and Wabtec are interested in increasing technological cooperation with Bangladesh in the future.

As part of a three-day tour of the northern region, the US ambassador, accompanied by his wife Dean Dow, visited various historical and important establishments in Saidpur on Tuesday. In the morning, he visited Lokayan Jibonbaichitra Museum. Later, he visited the Saidpur Railway Workshop and Museum, the historic Chini Mosque and the Catholic Church.

Officials of the US Embassy were with him during the visit. Officials of the local administration and law enforcement agencies were also with him at different times. He is scheduled to leave for Dhaka from Saidpur Airport around 8:45pm on Tuesday night after the end of the visit.