Kenya: the Queen's coach

[John Ashworth]

Why Railways ‘Queen’s Coach’ is under lock and key

By Immaculate Karambu
Business Daily
Posted Thursday, April 21 2011 at 00:00

The story of Kenya, particularly events relating to the colonial era, is hardly complete without talking about the construction of the Kenya-Uganda railway line.

Historians say the line was the origin of the development of Kenyan economy.

At Kenya’s Railway Museum is a display of steam train engines that have preserved this rich history.

These engines are rarely in use today thanks to the invention of diesel-powered machines.

“They represent a great piece of our history and most importantly they emphasise the role played by railway construction in building the modern day Kenya,” said Maurice Barasa, the museum’s curator.

At the facility, situated in the heart of Nairobi, are two train coaches popularly known as the Queen Twin coaches that were last used for royal travel by the Queen of England while on a tour of Kenya in 1983.

This was the Queen’s second visit to Kenya after the first in 1952, a year when she was declared Queen while in Nanyuki following the death of her father.

The story of the Twin Coaches, 11CB 503 and 11CB 504 can be traced back to 1928 when the coaches were used by the Queen’s uncle Prince of Wales while on his first visit to Kenya.

Guarantees comfort

Thirty-one years later, they were used by the Queen Mother while on a visit to Kenya.

Synonymous to the royal lifestyle, Mr Barasa says that the coaches depict power.

After Independence, they became a popular choice for travel by African political leaders.

“The late President Jomo Kenyatta was the first African leader to ride on the coaches. He first used them on a journey to Mombasa in 1964,” said Mr Barasa.

Other leaders who have used the Queen’s coaches are Uganda’s Milton Obote who is said preferred the coaches every time he visited Kenya and former President Daniel arap Moi.

They are tailor-made to guarantee comfort with a wide chassis and six wheels contrary to four that are found in ordinary coaches.

They have a conference facility, two bedrooms, washrooms, bath tabs and a dining area.

Fitted with kitchens, it was normal to prepare meals while on a journey.

The balcony ensured that the Queen and other prominent leaders who used the coaches addressed gatherings at their comfort.

As opposed to an ordinary coach that depends on a motor for lighting, the Twin Coaches had a standby generator that ensured lighting was not disrupted.

It is said that the twin coaches were brought to Kenya mainly for royal travel.

That is the main reason they were never used by any African until after Independence. Similar models of the trains are found in Europe.

Their preservation under lock and key at the museum says a lot about the kind of respect that is accorded to the history of the coaches.

They are now 90 years old since their manufacture at Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Although the museum holds several other artifacts that are open for public viewing, access to the queen’s coaches is restricted to special requests.

“The coaches have in the past been locked up in a secured place. We gave them that special royal treatment but currently we are working out away that will allow members of the public to view them,” said Mr Barasa.

For those who are not lucky to get a view of the Queen’s coaches, the steam locomotives that today have been phased out by diesel-powered engines would make a visitor’s day at the museum.

A 59-class steam engine, the world’s largest ever produced such engine to run on a meter gauge can be found at the museum.

In this class of steam engines, a 5918 engine named Mount Gelai is still operational for chartered trips only.

“Local people rarely charter this engine because it is expensive. All the trips have been chartered by foreigners,” said Mr Barasa.

So far, the engine has made two trips to Mombasa in 2003 and 2005.

Mr Barasa says this can be attributed to costs and the managerial adjustments that have been made at the Railways Corporation which have rendered management of the engine’s activity inconsistent.

It is expected to be leaving for Konza next month, making such trips to only three.

The engine can pull a maximum of 1,200 tonnes on a 1.5 gradient using steam power; a load that is beyond the ability of diesel-powered engines.

Because of its weight, the engine only runs on the main line, for example from Mombasa to Kampala.

Such engines are now rare with the current preference of diesel and electric engines and in locations where they are found in Europe, they are displayed by museums.

Although open to the public, the Railways Museum is not attracting many visitors.

Thanks to the requirements of the school syllabus, students form the bulk of regular visitors.

ikarambu@ke.nationmedia.com