Sizarail was a railway company formed by foreign investors that briefly operated the railway network in Zaire between 1996 and 1997.It took over from the state-owned operator in an attempt to revive the railway, which had virtually ceased to operate despite being a critical source of revenue from mineral exports.Operations quickly improved, and the company earned a small profit in the first year. However, advancing rebel forces closed it down and re-nationalized the railway.