Phase 1 of the multibillion shilling Standard Gauge Railway could be operational as early as next year June, when passengers will be able to travel using modern locomotives from Mombasa to Nairobi and vice-versa; but even as the prospects of the project slowly shifts from being a distant mirage to reality; the 2nd phase expected to kick off in January may face the same challenges that gripped phase one - matters land compensation and a controversial environmental impact assessment that could possibly approve the rail passing through the world’s only national park within a city.