Yes, Abu Hamed is the first fuel stop on that route, though there are some very small settlements along the way where rail workers live and you could probably buy a little from them in an emergency, and the track is used fairly regularly.
it's a great track but can be fairly soft going in quite a few patches but then opens out to some nice flat fast sand in others - no tar til Abu hamed.

Took us two days in a 4x4 with one of the best nights wild camping I can remember : )

Well, 6 bikes and one 4x4 set off from Wadi on this track...

Its a lot sandier than many expected. Everyone crashed in the first 5km and then Kim had a really bad crash and broke her wrist and smashed up the bike..

Sand road cancelled and straight back into wadi for medical treatment and bike repairs... NIGHTMARE !!!!

We had to put the bike on a truck and take the dongola road to meet the truck to Khartoum. NIGHTMARE

Two of the guys carried on and made it to Abu Hamed in two days. I was gutted to only ride 20 miles of it as it was fun with my DRZ but i have to admit if was terrible in places.

Since the Dongola road has been tarmaced, the rainway road is really turning back into desert. No one uses it now.

To be ridden with caution it seems :)

Ouch, it's a pity that you missed the offroad Sahara-section.

Stay away from groups Ted, the chances of someone getting problems increases dramatically.
Enjoy :arabia:

fuel in northern sudan
 

hi Touring Ted,

I see your thread just now... Please be aware that the railway line is not a piste anymore. The posts indicated on maps (eg Michelin) are not used anymore because the railway line is only cargo train nowadays.

The roads Atbara-Karima are all tarred now and also most of the roads on the Nile banks. There are beautiful dessert roads and allow lots of off road driving if you want.... just FYI.

Enjoy northern Sudan and Wadi Halfa.... (don't fill up in Wadi Halfa, fuel is cheaper in Egypt).