Zimbabwe to bring steam trains back into use

Source: The Cape Times (SA)

Date: 29 September 2005

Author: Anon

Harare - Zimbabwe is to go back to using steam locomotives to boost its ageing fleet of diesel trains and attract tourists, the state-run Herald newspaper has reported. The country has an acute shortage of foreign currency needed to import fuel and spares, but most of the spares for the steam trains can be found locally, the report says. Zimbabwe also has plenty of coal. "We intend to use (steam locomotives) to boost our operations and as a tourist attraction," said Fanuel Masikati, public relations manager of the National Railways of Zimbabwe. "Through these special steam safari trains we also expect to generate foreign currency for the country." It would cost around Z$2 billion ($77 000) to refurbish 10 steam engines, some dating from the 1950s. The railways planned to have five of the engines in use by the end of the year and the others by the end of next year, the newspaper said. Zimbabwe phased out its steam locomotives and replaced them with diesels more than 10 years ago. Details were not available of the condition of equipment needed to run the steam engines, such as coal-loading machines. Railway enthusiasts have welcomed the move to reintroduce steam trains. They say many of the water installations along Zimbabwe's railway lines remain intact.