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| Page updated on: 29 June 2011 |
| Kenya Steam 2011 |
| 18 to 22 May 2011 |
| Diesel pre-tour report 15 May There are four working English Electric 87 class diesel electric locomotives, and one of their regular duties is a passenger train that runs from Nairobi to Kisumu, a ferry port on Lake Victoria. We chased a freight train from Nakuru to Kisumu before returning to our hotel in Nakuru. 16 May This morning saw an engineering train heading out to Majimazuri station before we crossed to the Kisumu line for a class 87 on a freight. The action continued with a freight which we met first at the top spiral near Equator. Following this train, we arrived back in Nakuru around sunset. 17 May The passenger train to Kisumu was delayed today, giving us an opportunity to chase it out of Nakuru before heading across to Equator to see a freight with two General Electric Class 93 diesel electric locomotives. That train was chased towards Nakuru before an afternoon photo session found a class 87 leaving Nakuru on a freight. The excellent weather so far became a little cloudy, but then – we had been spoilt. 18 May We had to return to Nairobi today, and a query revealed that the Kisumu to Nairobi passenger train had failed behind a class 87 locomotive at Gilgil Station. We arrived before a relief locomotive of the same class appeared. A good sequence of photographs was in the bag before we continued to Nairobi and our afternoon workshop visit. |
| Kenya steam report Since the early 2000's, Kenya had restored three locomotives and had used them on occasional charter trains. However, no attempt had ever been made to offer all three in one tour. With limited resources, it was anticipated that a programme that was too ambitious would carry with it a high risk of failure. For this reason we chose to offer a three day programme that was reasonably achievable with the limited manpower, facilities and management experience available. 19 May The first day from Naivasha to Nairobi with 2030 was a success, with the only problem being delays in the morning with viscous fuel oil. This was a problem which will no doubt be overcome as more experience is gained in running the locomotives. 20 May The second day was supposed to be a trip to Konza and back with 5918. Problems with raising steam delayed departure until it was decided to replace the trip with a shorter journey the following afternoon. 5918 did make an appearance, and was used for mock shunting and cameos around Nairobi Station. 21 May The third morning was given over to 2409 with the scheduled trip to Makadara. This went well, with some limited difficulty with steaming on the way back. However, on our return to Nairobi it was found that 5918 was again battling to raise steam. A long wait ensued, with an eventual departure further delayed by carriage and wagon examination and some difficulty with the air brake pump. It was close to sunset when we finally got under way. It remained the gerneral consensus to have as long a journey behind the big Garratt as possible, and so we headed out to Embakasi. The steaming difficulties came to a head past Makadara with steam blowing back into the fire, and it was decided that for crew safety we should not proceed. Being near a main road, it was easy to arrange for our transfer buses to return us to the hotel. This first comprehensive three locomotive Kenya tour saw all three in steam and offered up good photographs. In most areas, the tour was a success, but delays getting 5918 into steam resulted in long waits in Nairobi Station and a shortened programme for that locomotive. The tour highlighted some management weaknesses in Kenya that are being addressed before our next tour. |
| 8741 between Nakuru and Kisumu |
| 9314 at the spiral near Equator Station |
| Two class 93 near Equator Station |
| 8740 between Nakuru and Kisumu |
| 8723 and 8740 on a Nairobu bound passenger train at Gilgil |
| 8723 leaving Gilgil |
| 3020 near Naivasha. 19 May 2011 |
| 3020 near Longonot. 19 May 2011 |
| Crossing 4311 at Longonot. 19 May 2011 |
| Keeping the trains running (sometimes) |
| 5918 at Nairobi Station. 20 May 2011 |
| 5918 at Nairobi Station. 20 May 2011 |
| 5918 at Nairobi East Cabin. 20 May 2011 |
| 2419 at Nairobi East cabin. 21 May 2011 |
| 2419 at Nairobi Station. 21 May 2011 |
| 2419 near Nairobi. 21 May 2011 |
| Thank you for a very interesting tour which had some ups and downs. I think the ups more than cancel the downs and this will be confirmed when I look and the photos and video taken over the whole trip. Once again, many thanks for your patience and experience. Some of the ups were certainly big ups! F W, England |
| I really enjoyed the Kenyan trip and am very glad that I took part. Thanks for all your hard work in arranging it. In case they're of interest I've posted a few notes and photos on Rob Dickinson's site at http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/ trains/kenya11.htm. In haste - we set off tomorrow for Alaska to take part in Doug Cummings's White Pass steam festival. It will be chillier than Kenya! Thanks again for all your support with the trip. Best wishes, James |
| Commemorative plaque presented to Nairobi Railway Museum A plaque, arranged and sponsored by Geoff's Trains, was presented by Kevin Patience to Deepi Marway, the daughter of Kirpal Singh, who had travelled out from the UK for the occasion. Many who visited the EAR in the 1970’s will remember Kirpal as the driver of 5918 who kept his loco in immaculate condition and who was always welcoming to enthusiasts. Sadly he died in 2010. The plaque will be fitted to 5918 when appropriate, and will be displayed in the Nairobi Railway Museum at other times. |
| Click here for James Waite's Narrow Gauge World article. |
