Friends of the Rail Forum

3020 did the honours at the wedding of Ben and Zawadi today. The loco performed flawlessly. It was a spectacular success and a good time was had by all.

It's worth noting the cooperation and enthusiasm of both Kenya Railways and Rift Valley Railways - South African steam enthusiasts could only wish that TFR would do the same. The Managing Directors of both companies were present for the test steaming on 23 April 2010, and both companies made significant concessions, financial and otherwise, to let this train run. I think both KR and RVR have a twofold interest - (1) they do care about Kenya's heritage; and (2) they can see that there is revenue to be earned from steam, not only for the railways but for the country as a whole. For the same reasons the Kenyan business community is getting involved. After Crown sponsored the painting of 3020, Sadolin immediately jumped in and claimed 5918 and 2409 (and provided smart new overalls and caps to the steam team!). There is a real chance that 3020 will run again soon on hire to a Kenyan businessman.

One must also appreciate the efforts of Maurice Barasa, curator of the railway museum, for getting this going, and of course the Kenyan steam team of retired drivers and fitters without whom it would never have gone at all.

Photos by John Ashworth, 01 May 2010

Highly significant as stakeholders and businesses involved.
How did the couple come to request a steam loco for their wedding?

Chris, I first met Ben when he was volunteering at the museum a year or so ago, and we started cleaning 3020 together. I don't remember how the subject of steam weddings came up, but he stated publicly at his reception that he got the idea from me, as I talked about my own steam wedding in South Africa - a good example of cross-fertilisation within the international steam heritage movement. He introduced the whole Kenya steam team, including myself, to his wedding guests at the reception - first time I've given a wedding speech wearing greasy overalls!