Saudi Arabia commissions gold-leaf train

It may have been a tough year for Arab regimes facing unprecedented popular demands for change. But King Abdullah of -- has signalled serene royal continuity by ordering the construction of a specially equipped private train to whisk him and his entourage between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

The luxurious VIP train is being built by the Saudi-Spanish al-Shoula consortium as part of the $9.4bn (£6bn) high-speed Haramain rail project to connect the two cities, revered by Muslims, and Jeddah, the entry point for hajj pilgrims.

According to al-Shoula, the royal design will be based on the ordinary rolling stock being manufactured for the project, and will consist of 13 coaches. But their decor, -- reported on Tuesday, will be considerably "more lavish interior decor featuring plentiful gold leaf, especially on the ceilings".




more shiny stuff:


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Those sultans have to travel in style, you know?

Now there is a nation I'd have no issues with bombing the **** out of.

In Saudi Arabia, the rich are bad. In America, the rich are good!

Where's your Occupy عبد الله بن عبد العزيز آل سعود thread?

"Occupy" Mecca

I would not suggest bombing too close to the oil reserves.

When the pipelines ae done then we can bomb their oil fields?

Ethical Oil.

Sure is.

The pipelines are owned by corporations, corporations tell us what we can or cannot do. Greenies will be forgotten after 2012 elections if not before.