Steam in Zimbabwe, August 1999

Dave Longman was here from August 19th to 31st 1999. Colin Lake travelled on the Victoria Falls tourist train in October 1999.

Victoria Falls Tourist Train

I was in Victoria Falls on a medical conference 23/10/99-30/10/99. We took the steam train trip to Livingstone on Thursday the 28th. I do not know about the booking conditions because the trip was arranged by the course organisers. The cost was £50 per person (£25 for 12 and under). This included snacks each way and an open bar (including champagne). There were about 130 in our group, delegates and families, and we comprised most but not all of the passengers. The loco was No 204, a 4-8-4 and it ran in reverse on the outward journey. We had a good close up view from the "rear" observation platform. The rolling stock was restored teak panelled first class coaches and dining car. The facilities at the end of our coach looked decidely Heath Robinson!

At Livingstone most of the group went into town by bus but a few of us remained on the train. After the locomotive had run round, it pulled us a short distance out of Livingstone station and then pushed us along a single line track to the rail museum, situated in a disused timber mill.

I was pleased to note that, although the Zambians cannot afford to restore their collection, at least they are making an attempt to preserve them by keeping them painted.

Whilst we were waiting at Vic Falls, I was able to take several photos of a 4-6-4--4-6-4 Garratt No 421. It was in steam most of our stay and moved out on Friday the 29th. Several of us climbed up onto the footplate and the driver seemed quite pleased with the 100Zim$ tips.

David Longman reports:

KADOMA

The three locomotives preserved besides the main Harare - Bulawayo road at Kadoma are inside an 8' wire mesh fence, preventing close inspection and/or photography. Access can be arranged by visiting the Town Planning Department at the Council Offices in Kadoma. Turn right past the Kadoma Ranch Hotel and continue over the level crossing. After 200 yards go straight across the traffic lights and the council offices are on the right hand side of the main square.

BULAWAYO 20, 21 & 22 August + 29, 30 & 31 August

The number of shunts has been reduced still further with the introduction of three 'new' diesels with no more than 6 turns being steam worked on any one day. On 20/8/98 locos steamed were Nos.406, 422, 424, 510, 519, 525 & 610 with No.421 away on the safari train. Other locos in steam on subsequent days were Nos. 395 and 514. Ash Spur, New Grain, Belmont and Cold Store were steam worked every day with steam working Westgate and the Mpopoma Shuttle on most days. On several days one loco was kept 'spare' to cover failures or special duties.

On 22/8/99 loco No.424 was booked to work a train to Cement, following a diesel failure. The (white) driver was reluctant to take the loco off shed due to problems with the whistle but was authorised to do so by the Running Shed Foreman. The engine ran light to Mpopoma Yard where the train was cancelled in mysterious circumstances and the engine returned to the shed.

On 20/8/99 Nos. 394 and 515 were in the repair shops together with Wankie Colliery No.12 and 19th Class 4-8-2 No. 330. On 29th August 20th Class No.730 was back on shed having blown off its front right hand cylinder cover whilst being towed by diesel to Victoria Falls to work a TEFS special back to Bulawayo.

The 'Bulawayo Chronicle' of 25/8/99 reported that the day train service on the Harare to Bulawayo route is to be suspended again from September 12th due to low business volumes following its re-introduction last November. Services have been running on Fridays and Sundays only. NZR claim that they will be introducing a tourist service on Victoria Falls to Bulawayo line in December and a service from Harare to South Africa in 'the near future' using 'upgraded old coaches'. There is no suggestion in the article that the Victoria Falls service will be steam worked.

CEMENT

All shunting work is now being undertaken by Unicem No.1 (Henschell 4-8-2, built 1938) with Class 14A No.509 out of use awaiting new tubes.

'TRAIN DE LUXE'

This was worked during week 16 - 23rd August by 15A Class No.421. During the week 23 - 30th August, 15A Class No. 406 was the train engine with 6 coaches, 2 cabooses and a watertank.

There were no Victoria Falls to Dett services during the week although on 26/27th the engine plus the cabooses and watertank worked back to Thompson Junction for re-coaling. The engine and stock were stabled overnight on Thompson Junction shed. On the return journey on 29th August the engine failed at Thompson Junction and the train was worked back to Bulawayo on 30th August by diesel.

The train was cancelled for the week 30th August - 6th September. The operation is certainly working at well below capacity in terms of passenger loadings. This was the reason for the cancellation of trains to and from Dett during 23 - 30th August and may also be the reason for the cancellation on 30th August.

For lineside photographers a serious problem now exists at Zanguja. The whole area has been surrounded by an 8' high electrified fence with all access gates padlocked. The land is owned by Ingwe Safari Lodge which is directly off the Hwange - Victoria Falls road. Access to Zanguja bank was eventually arranged on 24/8/99 after an appeal to the owner but during the day a 'Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted' sign was added to the gate! It remains to be seen whether similar access will be granted in the future.

VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI EXPRESS

This service also operates only when there is sufficient passenger demand. Three trains are advertised, 'The Royal Tea Run' to Livingstone, departing at 9.00am and returning at 12.30pm (US$80 - minimum 10 persons) The 'Victoria Falls Bridge Run' departing 2.00pm as far as the bridge, returning at 3.00pm (US$40 - minimum 10 persons) and 'The Moonlight Diner' departing 5.30pm and returning at 9.30pm (US$110 - minimum 20 persons).

No trains ran on 29/8/99 although ZR 12th Class 4-8-0 No.204 was in steam all day. On 30/8/99 the morning train was hauled by ex-NRZ 14A Class No.512 now privately owned by Miss Alexandra Bell with two coaches. The train stops on the bridge for about 10 minutes during the return journey. The loco is in black with a dark green water tank.

LIVINGSTONE RAILWAY MUSEUM 25 August

Entry visa to Zambia costs US$10, payable at the border post. Taxi to the museum costs Z$150 - 200 and entry to museum Z$70. Visitors get a personal guide if required. Despite the fire which destroyed five coaches and damaged paintwork on nearby locomotives there is much of interest including 12 cosmetically restored locomotives including 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 15A, 16th and 20th class engines. A10th Class 4-8-2 No.159 is steamable but confined to the museum. No guidebook is presently available but most locomotives have detailed notices attached giving a history of the engine.

WANKIE COLLIERY 23, 26 & 27 August

With No.3 Colliery closed, steam operation is restricted to the colliery yard and the line to and from Thompson Junction. Approx 3 - 4 loaded trains leave the colliery daily with empties being worked back up the grade. NRZ 15th No.410 is on hire to Wankie Colliery Company and WCC No.4 was also servicable (although stopped on 27/8/99 due to injector problems). Of the remaining locomotives, No.2 is in the works, No.3 has been returned unrepaired from Bulawayo due to lack of spares, No.5 is dumped in front of the shed, No.10 is awaiting repairs to bearings, No.11 is waiting for spare parts (and has been for 2 years!) and No.8 was outside, apparently dumped. The locomotive manager says that No.12 is unlikely to be restored to working order at Bulawayo despite denials from shed staff there. 0-4-0WT 'Popeye' remains outside the shed awaiting repair.

The general concensus amongst operating and management staff is that steam is likely to be replaced by diesels within 12 - 18 months and already Thompson Junction diesels have been used to work trains to and from the colliery.

Ex-S.A.R 4-6-2 Class 16DA 848 (ex Wankie Colliery #5) remains a popular attraction on its plinth by the Victoria Falls - Bulawayo road at Hwange, forming an unusual backdrop to wedding photos on 28/08/99!!

BULAWAYO RAILWAY MUSEUM

With an entry charge equivalent to 8p, a visit to the museum must be the best value for money in Zimbabwe. Recent open days for 'Friends Of The Museum' have been well supported with the next one planned for October 31st.