Steam Revival in Zimbabwe

The following article appeared in the Zimbabwe Herald on 23rd March 2004, below is a first hand report from Bulawayo, to which I have added an April report (5th May 2004) and a May PS (extra report 9th May 2004): 

The National Railways of Zimbabwe has re-introduced steam locomotives to power its commuter trains in an effort to increase its wagons capacity and as a solution to the shortages of diesel.

National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) corporate affairs manager Mr Misheck Matanhire said the coal-powered engines would not be utilised on its inter-city routes, as the exercise would need the resuscitation of expensive facilities such as watering holes along the main rail routes.

The company has seen its commuter operations grinding to a halt on more than one occasion because of diesel shortages - steam locomotives would remove that obstacle.

"The steam locomotives that are currently hauling commuter trains are a permanent feature that is meant to enhance our locomotive capacity as an organisation," he said.

The Government introduced the commuter train service in 2001 to cushion urban commuters from rising transport costs.

In Bulawayo, trains service the Luveve and Emganwini routes while in Harare they ply the Marimba, Dzivaresekwa and Ruwa routes.

The service has, however, been far from being efficient owing to the acute shortages of diesel that occasionally bedevil the parastatal.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe also had to grapple with the shortage of wagons after phasing out the use of coal-powered locomotives and sticking to the diesel-hauled types.

The introduction of the steam locomotives follows increased calls by industry for the National Railways of Zimbabwe to re-introduce the facility as the shortage of diesel was impacting on the viability of their operations.

Mr Matanhire said the steam locomotives were also popular with locals.

"Steam locomotives are a spectacle to watch for most local and overseas steam enthusiasts," said Mr Matanhire.

I believe this first hand report came from Chas Rickwood:

Steam started operating the Bulawayo commuter trains as from Tuesday this week (March 16th) and was prompted by NRZ running out of diesel fuel last week and canceling all passenger trains.

Locos used so far have been 395 (15th Class), 612 (16A) and on one occasion 20th Class # 730. The latter was not too successful in that 730 failed in section on the Emgwanini working on Wed afternoon (Mar 17th). I found out about the operation only yesterday (Thursday) when I was investigating the two DE2's that had been "dumped" in the Bridge sidings, Belmont for at least the past two years. The locos turned out to be 1218 and 1225 which were the last two DE2s in operation at the Byo Mech Workshops.

Chatting with the yard foreman, he mentioned casually that the commuter trains were now steam. I did not know whether to believe him but went to the steam
shed this morning and sure enough it was confirmed with both 395 and 612 back from their morning workings and being attended to by an army of fitters and
other staff. It sure has given a new lease of life to the steam shed and is certainly the "steam renaissance" of the century in this part of the world. Hopefully the operation will continue now that steam has been able to prove its worth once again.

Mondays to Fridays there are in fact 8 return steam workings each day from Bulawayo with two trains on each service to each destination, both mornings and afternoons. On Saturdays, there are four return workings.

This must be the only Garratt operated suburban service in the world - have their been any in the past? In fact, the only other regular steam suburban services that I know of are in China and these have dwindled fast recently and are mostly "workmens" trains on industrial systems.

This evening (Friday) I went to the station hoping to photograph the first two departures, ie the 1630hrs to Emgwanini and the 1645hrs to Luveve. The first train was hauled by 612 with 10 bogies and the Luveve train had a consist of 11 bogies, both trains being well filled. The latter train had six newly painted Economy Class coaches in the rake.

Weather was foul with storms brewing and UK type gloom and soon afterwards the heavens opened - at least it was warm! Anyway will be out early tomorrow morning (Sat) and hope for some sunshine - will report more over the weekend.

Chas Rickwood adds this which refers to late-April 2004:

Have just returned from three weeks in RSA and pleased to find steam still in charge of the commuter trains here. Today (Tuesday) saw 16A # 612 on the Khami workings and the resilient # 395 doing the honours to Luveve. Previous participants on the commuter trains were in the P15 shop, ie #730 with front tank removed and # 613 in for a wheel job. Retube queue still comprises 416, 510, 519 and 611. Other "working locos" in and around the P15 area were 522 (Full Box Repair and S/Tubes); 525 (Boiler Change); 394, 422, 514. 20th class # 736 has been moved inside the P15 but no sign of any work starting. Museum 'straights" 115 and 190 were moved from the Museum on March 29th and are having boiler inspections this week in anticipation of the upcoming Globe Tours visit next month. Possibility of test trips with these two on the commuter trains??!! Unseasonable weather here for late April - ie hot and humid this morning and a thunderstorm this afternoon - due of course to an International ODI cricket match in Bulawayo today.

Chas Rickwood adds this for early May 2004:

After a few days all-diesel at the beginning of last week, commuter trains are back in steam hands again. Today (Monday) 20th class # 730 was on the morning Khami trains and 16A # 612 did the Luveve turns. Other steam rostered today were:- BEL 515, NG 522, WG 386

Interesting to see the Westgate duty on the roster again as this working is often covered by the other shunts. A DE9 was on the Yardmaster. The commuter pool consists of 612, 730, 395 and 613. The latter two engines are in the P15 for attention and 395 has some heavy repairs in hand, ie tubes, elements and a wheel job. The two Museum "straights" (115 and 190) have had their hydraulic tests but they will now be returned to the Museum, being that the Globe Tours visit this month has been cancelled.

Again...

George Pattison and I watched activity at the station last evening. Both commuter trains left on time with 730 going off to Khami at 1630hrs. A light load for a 20th class with only 5 economy class coaches and the two usual baggage vans at each end - there was also an auxiliary water tank, presumably so the loco does not have to take time to top up at the station water tank between the 1st and 2nd runs. The Luveve train left at 1645 hrs behind 612 and here again the consist was lighter than previously with only 7 economy coaches. Do not know whether this is due to lack of coaches or reduced passenger demand. After the passenger activity, it was time for some shunting movements. 386 came out of the Power Station sidings with some empties, followed shortly afterwards with 515 coming in from Belmont with a long string of container flats. So four steam classes observed in action within 30 minutes - 14A: 15; 16 and 20 !!! Not bad for 2004 and surely a unique experience in the world today.

Yet again....

Nice sunny evening (6th May), so George and I went to Westgate to view the first two evening commuter departures. Again 730 and 612 were in charge and both trains departed on time. Nice to watch the two trains coming around the curves out of the station and plenty of smoke, particularly from the 16A. 730 had 9 coaches incl the two baggage vans - no water tank today. 612 was more heavily loaded with 11 bogies and plenty of passengers. Much better way to travel than being squashed in smelly commuter omnibuses - much cheaper, too!

Chas adds:

Four of the FOBRM (Friends of the Bulawayo Railway Museum) members took the opportunity to travel on the commuter train to Khami and back yesterday (Saturday) afternoon (8th May 2004).

We assembled in good time for the 1345hrs departure and each bought our ZWD 300 tickets from the posse of ticket-sellers lined up at the rear end of the Station. Plenty of room on the Saturday afternoon trains so we could spread out comfortably. 612 came on to the Luveve train on Platform 3 first, although that train leaves 15 mins later than the Khami. Our loco came on less that 10 mins before scheduled departure from Platform 5, but we got away only slightly late and 730 set about its task with gusto.

We recorded 7 intermediate stops on the outward journey and all have names to the locals. It was interesting to view the passing scene from the train as opposed to the usual car chase. Most of the trackside mealies had been harvested after the rains but everything is still quite green - until we get the first frost of the winter. As we went beyond Emgwanin, things became more rural with small groups of cattle here and there and the occasional donkey cart. The townships now spread another couple of kms beyond the Rangemore Rd crossing so quite a few passengers alight at the last two halts. George Pattison took point-to-point timings so if anyone is interested, he will post to the list.

At Khami, the "mystery" of the water tank seen behind 730 earlier in the week, was solved. It was parked opposite the station for "cottage watering" purposes. A surprise at Khami was a crossing with a Goods train hauled by DE 10 # 1061 - mostly loaded coal coming from Botswana.

Two score or so passengers joined the train at Khami but we were not charged a return fare by the travelling ticket checkers. 730 made a spirited return trip with only a couple of intermediate stops, apparently for the convenience of railway personnel. The Luveve train had beaten us back to Bulawayo Station - Luveve will be our next trip later in the month. Then to the steam shed to round off the afternoon. Six locos in steam including 12th Class # 190 which had been rostered for the Loco shunt but due to some teething problems, had been replaced by 386.

A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, all for the price of an eighth of a glass of beer!