Notice that this timetable is from before the Littorina.  These small railcars ran much faster than the coaches pulled by Mallets which they replaced.  I remember leaving Asmara at about 6:00 or 6:30 AM.  However, I remember getting to Massawa at mid to late morning.  I think it was about 10:30 or 11:00.  This coincides with my memory of it being about a four hour trip.  I remember only stopping at Nefasit and Ghinda.  Someone has told me that they also stopped at Embatkalla.  This may have been different on different train numbers.