Zimbabwe to refurbish 7 more steam locos

[John Ashworth]

REFURBISHING FOR MORE ZIM STEAM LOCOS

Posted on 25 October 2010
Railways Africa

Steam trains have proved so popular with tourists that the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is to refurbish seven additional locomotives, bringing the operational fleet to ten. This has been officially announced by public relations manager Fanuel Masikati. He told the Bulawayo Chronicle that the engines are used for rail leisure safari trips, targeting mainly tourists.

A recent trial run from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls was very well received. “Our target was 200 passengers but the event was oversubscribed and we ended up with more than 300. In response, we decided to refurbish additional locomotives to meet expected demand,” he said. It is planned to run steam safaris on special days such as the Mother’s, Father’s, Valentine’s and family fun days, on three routes. These are Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, Bulawayo-Plumtree and Bulawayo-Mbalabala.

According to Masikati, NRZ is looking forward to the much-needed additional income, which would increase revenue inflow. Following the successful Victoria Falls trip, enquiries are flooding in locally and internationally from individuals and families that want to ride on the trains. “Right now we are going to exhibit the safari train at the Sanganai-Hlanganani travel expo, to be held this year in Harare.”

[Dylan Knott]

Is this a gov plan?

Do they even have 7 steam locos to overhaul?

Hope they include a 20A!

[John Ashworth]

It's quite encouraging for those of us in Kenya to see this initiative. We have one steam loco operating with some regularity now, and two more which will hopefully be ready for the Geoff Cooke tour in May 2011. This lends credence to our belief that there is a vibrant domestic market for steam in Africa, as well as the overseas tours which are spectacular but which are not the bread and butter of steam preservation.

[Dylan Knott]

And yet here its the complete opposite!