Railways around the Zambezi

[Mikkel]

Work occasionally brings me this way, and last week I managed to grab an hour's worth of some peaceful photography during the midday lull at Victoria Falls Station. Not so many years ago I would have been arrested as a possible spy/saboteur in 10 seconds flat for taking such photos, but these days noone seemed to care.

 

Vic Falls station is right on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, some 10 minutes from the famous falls. The crisis in Zimbabwe over the past few years has slowed the growth of tourism on this side of the border, and like the rest of the town the station seems caught in a bit of a time-warp where nothing much has changed over the past decade or two.

As can be seen here there is some goods traffic passing between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Unfortunately as a steam man I have absolutely no idea what the locos are, but I am hoping someone here would know?

I have to say I came away from this with an immediate desire to model the whole thing. Not that it will happen any time soon, but the mix of a sleepy, post-colonial backwater and the powerful, no-nonsense diesels with their heavy cargo would make a fascinating model, I think. Does anyone know whether it's been done?

Here's a first batch of photos.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by Mikkel
Photos re-uploaded

[jamie92208]

A bit of googling produced the information that the DE10A's are Canadian built see this link here. The trucks and fuel tanks are definitely GM/EMD but I din't know anything else about them. It's good to see these photos.

 

Jamie

[Markeg]

We visited from Australia in 1993 and it seems not much has changed but the rolling stock.

Nice photos. We saw the steam hauled pass pull in and fed a vervet monkey a wrapped lolly which he/she unwrapped and chewed on for quite some time.

 

Mark in OZ

[10800]

Nice pics - I've got some photos somewhere from 1983 when I was there (still with Garratts). I'll scan if I can lay my hands on them.

[Mikkel]

A bit of googling produced the information that the DE10A's are Canadian built see this link here.

That's a good link Jamie, thanks. I was surprised there isn't more about these locos on the web, I guess most people are more into the Zimbabwean steamers. It's interesting that they are Canadian built. Do you know if they were built for/used in a Canadian context or by other railways, as I'd like to see whether there happens to be a model of them (can't seem to find anything about this on the web) ?

 

We saw the steam hauled pass pull in and fed a vervet monkey a wrapped lolly which he/she unwrapped and chewed on for quite some time.

Still plenty of vervets and baboons and even warthogs about in the streets around the station. They have a bit of an elephant problem in Vic Falls as they come very close to town, and a guy at the station said they were sometimes a problem on the line.

 

I've got some photos somewhere from 1983 when I was there (still with Garratts). I'll scan if I can lay my hands on them.

Would love to see them. I have a few from Bulawayo from the 90's that I can also try to dig out.

[jamie92208]

That's a good link Jamie, thanks. I was surprised there isn't more about these locos on the web, I guess most people are more into the Zimbabwean steamers. It's interesting that they are Canadian built. Do you know if they were built for/used in a Canadian context or by other railways, as I'd like to see whether there happens to be a model of them (can't seem to find anything about this on the web) ?

 

 

I presume that they are GM/EMD built locos using fairly standard parts that were built at the GM/EMD plant in London Ontario and then exported. I'm fairly certain that they wouldn't have worked in Canada due to the gauge diference so they would have had special trucks. Apart from the trucks they look to be fairly standard EMD products. After I'd posted my reply I spent quite a bit of time googling for more information but didn't find anything else. The only other avenue that I can think of is a US based yahoo group that I belong to. I'll ask the question on there and post any reply.

 

The pictures look good. What was the letterring on the blue loco. Did it say which compnay/railway it belonged to. I have an interest in the railways of this area as my mother worked in the Rhodesia's in the early 1940's and corresponded with a friend in Bulawayo for many years when I was growing up, which did wonders for my stamp collection.

 

Jamie

[10800]

Mikkel

 

Here's some scans from prints taken on a really cheap instamatic-type camera, so the quality isn't great - I've tried to improve the brightness and contrast a bit without losing too much. These would have been taken around November 1983. The Garratts were just idling, although one of them did a bit of a shunt at one point. In those days Zimbabwe was relatively prosperous and Zambia was down on its heels, rather the reverse of the situation now.

 

I've also got some slides somewhere of the Garratts taken on an OM-1 - I'll see if I can find and scan those sometime.

 

 

 

 

 

[jamie92208]

I've had a reply from the states and they are GMD GT22's Zimbabwe bought 61 of them. Full details are on Wikipedia at the following link.

 

Cheers

 

Jamie

[EddieB]

I must say those photographs are stirring some memories!

 

I made a couple of visits to Victoria Falls in the 'eighties, when many of the Zimbabwe services were still steam worked (15A class, predominantly). At that time cross-border freight was worked by Zambian Railways diesels (there were no passenger services over the bridge). On both occasions we crossed over into Zambia, and made one visit to the railway museum at Livingstone (Zambesi Sawmills). Photography at railway installations in Zambia was officially prohibited, but I did manage a few pictures at the shed/dump in Livingstone in 1982. On the other hand, there were no restrictions at Victoria Falls station and surroundings in Zimbabwe (a comparatively safe place to observe and photograph Zambian motive power).

 

The NRZ 10A class are GM GT22 LC-2 with construction shared between EMD La Grange (nos 1001-35) and Canada (nos 1036-61). All were supplied in the present yellow livery between November 1981 and June 1982. For full details, including builders numbers, I'd highly recommend "Locomotives of Zimbabwe" by ED Hamer - an excellent book for anyone interested in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

 

The SAR 35.400 series are GE U15C (35.401-500) constructed in South Africa (to the same design as the US constructed 35.000 series) between 1976 and 1980. As is evident from the pictures, some have been sold to private companies - I am not familiar where the owner of the loco shown is based.

 

An indespensible series books to be recommended are "Railways of Southern Africa Locomotive Guide" by John Middleton, which covered all the main railway systems of that region, their loco types and allocations and preserved locos.. Unfortunately the last edition was released in 2002, but John recently posted an update on the SAR-L Yahoo Group. (Sadly this is probably out of date now given the appalling vandalism of once preserved steam locos that seems to be officially sanctioned in South Africa.)

[Mikkel]

That's excellent info on the diesels, and some lovely shots of the Garratts. Much appreciated! Looking at the Garratt photos it is striking how little things have changed at the station, although some of the sidings seem to have been changed a bit. The water crane in the fourth photo is interesting (and is still there).

 

The SAR 35000/GE U15C has a Wikipedia page, here: http://en.wikipedia....an_Class_35-000

 

As for the owners of these, the Wiki page mentions New Limpopo Projects Investments having operated them in this area. The one I saw carried the logo "LOG" though (as does some of the goods stock). It may be a new company having taken over, but "LOG" is a pretty impossible abbreviation to search for in Google (!), so I haven't found anything on the web about such a company.

 

I wonder if they operate the coal from nearby Hwange colliery. BTW, that colliery claims on its website to still be emplying steam: http://www.hwangecol...id=91&Itemid=63 (bottom of page). There are some nice photos from the colliery here: http://www.david-lon...bwe_Hwange.html

 

As for the GT22s, a GT22CU version (Argentina etc) seems to be available from Fratheschi - click the icon for a good shot of the model on this page: http://www.hobbyonli...8n37tjee91ovnf7 EDIT: But this version seems to have much shorter wheelbase than the GT22LC2.

 

Not sure which of the various (costly!) models available of the Beyer Garratts would be appropriate here. More research needed.

 

Below is another batch of photos from last week. The dining cars looked freshly restored, whereas the clerestories were a sad sight. I think the ones in light blue were the result of a failed attempt at a hostel of some sort - not unlike the GWR camping coaches! Probably true that photograpy at this station has always been fairly relaxed given the tourism etc, I was thinking of the 80s in Zambia when you had to be really careful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by Mikkel
Photos re-installed

[Grovenor]

For a bit more you can try here, Garratts and here U20C model

Regards

Keith

Great to see some up to date photos of my old stamping ground.

[Mikkel]

That's a very interesting project with the U20C, Keith. Any plans to build a layout for it to run on?

 

Enjoyed the Garratt photos too. I do have a particular liking for the 10th and 12th class locos now employed on the Royal Livingstone Express on the Zambian side. I saw the 10th class (I think it was) with full train outside Livingstone a couple of years ago, and it looked fantastic moving through the bush. Sadly there was no time to stop for photos.

 

 

[EddieB]

There's a reference to the LOG locos here: http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/zambia02.htm which implies that they were on some sort of loan or transfer from Spoornet.

 

 

[bcnPete]

Mikkel,

 

Thanks for posting these - evokes great memories of when I visited Zimbabwe circa 1991.

 

Although at that time I was going through my 'twenty year sabatical from model trains' period, the images stir some great memories of the country and I would love to return someday with my family.

 

The only railway related observation from my trip was during a conversation with one of the locals, and he asked me why people in the UK always got upset when the trains are a few minutes late? ....he said, sometimes the Zimbabwe trains are 1 or 2 days late!

 

It certainly put things in perspective

 

Am I thinking there will be a follow up to the Farthing layouts Mikkel?

 

Pete

[Tim Lewis]

Nice pics - I've got some photos somewhere from 1983 when I was there (still with Garratts). I'll scan if I can lay my hands on them.

 

Good to see those pics again Rod. I worked on the same project as Rod, but visited Bulawayo and Vic Falls a bit later: May 1984. All steam then. Had a footplate trip on a 15A from Bulawayo as far as Sawmills then retired (rather sooty by this time) to a wonderful wood panelled sleeping compartment, nice cotton sheets etc. Woken up just after dawn by room service with a cup of tea: lots of antelope and other wildlife to see out of the window. Happy times. I've got some slides that I haven't seen in ages, including some from Wankie (stop sniggering at the back) Colliery with green liveried Class 19s (IIRC). One day I plan to get them all scanned, but it won't be for a while yet.

 

Good to see that the railway is still running anyway!

[10800]

Good to see those pics again Rod. I worked on the same project as Rod, but visited Bulawayo and Vic Falls a bit later: May 1984. All steam then. Had a footplate trip on a 15A from Bulawayo

 

The greenness of my envy remains undimmed!

[John B]

Last time I was in Vic Falls was 1997. A Garratt was also present. Sadly, I have absolutely no idea where my photos are...

 

Thanks for stirring up some happy memories, chaps.

[Mikkel]

Am I thinking there will be a follow up to the Farthing layouts Mikkel?

It's tempting, but I need to rob a bank first if I want any Garratts on it!

 

Here's some decent live action footage of the Zim Garratts (1993) that I found on Youtube:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxYgDN9lgrY

[EddieB]

3 pictures from October 1989. The Garratt is 15th class 372, the Zambian diesel 019 working the early morning transfer freight is a long-nose U20C (ought to be put in a glass case?).

 

[Grovenor]

Any plans to build a layout for it to run on?

Thanks for the comment, no plans for a layout, I just have one turnout on a 4 ft test plank, I see no way to get the Zambian atmosphere, its all about wide open spaces and long trains.

Regards

Keith

[Mikkel]

I came across this brief history of the line. The photo of the initial station (near bottom of the page) is quite fascinating.

 

http://www.ecoelemen...el/railway.html

[Mikkel]

I thought I'd revive this thread and expand the scope into Zambia.

 

I’ve once or twice considered the Zambezi Sawmills Railway (or the Mulobezi Railway as it’s now known) as a theme for an African layout (there’s a quick intro to the ZSR on Wikipedia here). I sometimes come to southern Zambia for work, and last week I finally managed to grab a few hours to visit the ZSR Museum in Livingstone.

 

As the shot below illustrates, this is a very modellable railway - whether you are tired of US logging layouts or just would like to try something different!

 

 

The musem is located in the old main site for the ZSR, which looked like this in the 1960s. Just look at the "rail-cars". Great stuff!

 

 

The old structures are basically still standing. Here is the covered shed seen in the photo above (although from another angle):

 

 

A few atmosphere shots below. The visit was slightly depressing as the museum is very run down, and I got the feeling I was the only paying visitor that day (it doesn’t help that all the guidebooks emphasize that “you have to be a real railway buff to enjoy this!”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

In an effort to brighten up the gradual decay, the curator has decided to paint certain parts of the stock in a shiny silvery paint. The effect is somewhat disconcerting for the enthusiast, and not exactly state of the art preservation.

 

 

Still, I can sympathize with the difficult position this museum is in. In a poor country where even the real railways are completely run down, steam loco preservation is hardly a priority. And although Livingstone is a tourist hotspot, there are so many other things to compete with. The Vic Falls for example!   So I expect the museum runs on a budget far, far below what is needed.

 

 

Below is a familiar bit of rolling stock for the British enthusiast:

 

 

 

And while we're on the subject of familiar companies:

 

 

...who built these lovely engines, the first of which I think was known as class 7 on the ZSR:

 

 

 

And the following class 9, originally built at North British Loco Company: 

 

 

 

More photos to follow when I get them sorted.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Mikkel

[EddieB]

There is some information on the steam locomotives at Livingstone on this site: http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/zambia04.htm

 

The museum is recovering from a fire a few years ago (one of the carriages in your photos looks as though it bears scorch marks), and does seem to be doing a good job on a small budget.

[Mikkel]

Another batch of photos here from the Zambezi Sawmills Railway museum in Livingstone.

 

This train is lined up as a main showpiece of the museum. It does certainly attract the eye. 

 

 

 

Although sadly the (Class 7?) loco is lacking its bogie.

 

 

 

I assumed this van had been used for a film or something similar, but the curator informed me that it had simply been involved in an accident on the railway not so long ago, and had duly been moved to the museum. There is no intention of restoring it, but it has carefully been painted all over silver in order to liven things up a bit.

 

 

 

A few more photos of locos in the museum, including a couple of Beyer Garratts. The locos are standing alongside the original turning triangle (still in place). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the main loco works shed - also still standing and in the original location. It would be a fairly simple and interesting building to model, I think:

 

 

 

Here is what it was really about: Dragging valuable teak timber out of the bush in bogie wagons like these. We can be romantic about it all, but it was always about the bottom line. Today the forests of Southern Zambia are sadly degraded, and the ZSR itself no doubt contributed to that.

 

 

 

 

The ZSR eventually began carrying passengers. I am not sure when these coaches  were purchased from Rhodesian Railways, but I did feel a pang of nostalgia when I saw them. I travelled in coaches not unlike these as a boy and young man over in Zim, and it seems odd how they are now relics of a lost age.

 

 

 

 

 

So I sat on the swing a bit and looked at the decaying stock and thought about time, life and what it all means. Then I left the museum and walked back out into the real world and the busy streets of Livingstone. I found a place to have a samosa and a Fanta, and I thought perhaps it is not so bad after all to be living in 2013 :-)

 

Edited June 18, 2013 by Mikkel

[Mikkel]

There is some information on the steam locomotives at Livingstone on this site: http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/zambia04.htm

 

The museum is recovering from a fire a few years ago (one of the carriages in your photos looks as though it bears scorch marks), and does seem to be doing a good job on a small budget.

 

Many thanks for that info, Eddie. I must admit I got a bit confused about the loco classes. There are a couple of exhibition rooms with photos and info by the entrance, but I couldn't quite make out the detail differences between the classes.

 

I didn't know about the fire, it must be a really uphill struggle to maintain this collection under these difficult conditions.