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| Report and photographs are Copyright to Geoff Cooke If you wish to copy or use any of the contents of this website, please request permission first |
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| Our 2007 steam photographic tour to Zimbabwe started in Johannesburg on 14 July, and ended in Victoria Falls on 28 July. Steam was successfully captured in four countries, and every train booked ran without a single locomotive failure. Minor defects such as poor steaming and cylinder drain cocks sticking open were evident, but considering that the locomotives are generally maintained in a state suitable for shunting around Bulawayo, this should be excused. Timekeeping in Zimbabwe was acceptable. NRZ permits a certain amount of latitude which was seldom exceeded. An allowance was built into the tour schedule, and no pre-planned photographic opportunities were lost as a result. NRZ senior management took considerable interest in our progress, and they along with their staff should be commended for a job well done. Bulawayo has a critical shortage of water, and the mains supply was rationed with the supply being turned off for most of the day. The showers in our hotel only worked for one day out of the four, and this added to the pressure on the one shower available on the train. The Museum coaches that we use are slowly being upgraded, but their plumbing and lighting still in need attention. Without the coaches we would not be able to run such an intensive tour, and so we will continue to invest in coach upgrading whilst making use of good quality hotels wherever possible. Enjoy the pictures, clicking on them will give a larger image. |
On 14 July we met at Johannesburg Airport and drove to Rooival Power Station, north of Pretoria. We met
Capital Park based Friends of the Rail with their Class 24 locomotive, and enjoyed a number of photographic
runpasts arranged with bullhorn and banter by Nathan Berelowitz.
The original plan to ride the train from Capita Park was changed when FoTR realised that inadequate time was
available. Allowance will be made in the 2008 schedule, and it is hoped that this interesting industrial action
will be repeated then.
Capital Park based Friends of the Rail with their Class 24 locomotive, and enjoyed a number of photographic
runpasts arranged with bullhorn and banter by Nathan Berelowitz.
The original plan to ride the train from Capita Park was changed when FoTR realised that inadequate time was
available. Allowance will be made in the 2008 schedule, and it is hoped that this interesting industrial action
will be repeated then.
The night was spent at Potgietersrust before we drove to Selebe Phikwe in Botswana. The BCL Mine was
welcoming as usual, allowing the group to photograph the Class 19D operation both in the mine works and on the
lineside. BCL #804 had great difficulty steaming, generally travelling no more than a few kilometres before
stopping for a blow-up. Their difficulty was to our benefit, allowing the coach to overhaul the train with ease.
The mine management hosted a lavish buffet lunch in their boardroom. An unexpected but greatly appreciated
welcome,
welcoming as usual, allowing the group to photograph the Class 19D operation both in the mine works and on the
lineside. BCL #804 had great difficulty steaming, generally travelling no more than a few kilometres before
stopping for a blow-up. Their difficulty was to our benefit, allowing the coach to overhaul the train with ease.
The mine management hosted a lavish buffet lunch in their boardroom. An unexpected but greatly appreciated
welcome,
We travelled from Francistown to Bulawayo by scheduled passenger
train, with a full coach allocated to our group of 24. This diesel
hauled service is one of the few cross-border passenger trains
running in Africa today. Photography was not permitted at
Francistown Station, and this extended to the preserved 15th Class
Garratt. The Station Master commented that this made little sense,
but rules are rules.
On 18 July we chartered a mixed train from Bulawayo to Cement
and back, hauled by Class 14A # 525.
train, with a full coach allocated to our group of 24. This diesel
hauled service is one of the few cross-border passenger trains
running in Africa today. Photography was not permitted at
Francistown Station, and this extended to the preserved 15th Class
Garratt. The Station Master commented that this made little sense,
but rules are rules.
On 18 July we chartered a mixed train from Bulawayo to Cement
and back, hauled by Class 14A # 525.
We continued to Plumtree, where Class 15A # 424
turned on the triangle and returned to Bulawayo in
time for a braai at the Railway Museum.
The braai was arranged by Crispen Managni and
his team, who also arranged catering on our dining
cars.
turned on the triangle and returned to Bulawayo in
time for a braai at the Railway Museum.
The braai was arranged by Crispen Managni and
his team, who also arranged catering on our dining
cars.
An early morning start from Bulawayo on 19 July saw
us at Figtree at sunrise. The cool air was ideal for
photography, although the first runpast with drain cocks
open created more hilarity than photographic
excellence. For those valuing their sleep, a later
transfer arrived at Figtree for the 07h00 departure from
there.
us at Figtree at sunrise. The cool air was ideal for
photography, although the first runpast with drain cocks
open created more hilarity than photographic
excellence. For those valuing their sleep, a later
transfer arrived at Figtree for the 07h00 departure from
there.
On 20 July Class 16A # 611 took our mixed train to Somabhula and back. The locomotive performed well, but
problems with the coaling arrangements at Somabhula caused a late return run with dieslel assistance from
Shanghani. We called up a rescue bus at Shanghani, avoiding a midnight arrival back in Bulawayo and saving
dinner at the hotel.
problems with the coaling arrangements at Somabhula caused a late return run with dieslel assistance from
Shanghani. We called up a rescue bus at Shanghani, avoiding a midnight arrival back in Bulawayo and saving
dinner at the hotel.
We arrived back in Bulawayo in time for our Braai in the
steam shed, hosted by the NRZ Catering Department.
These barbecues accompanied by Garratts in the
background have become a traditional part of our tours,
and a chance for some night photography.
The cooking fire was coal fired. Unusual for a Braai, but
understandable given the circumstances.
steam shed, hosted by the NRZ Catering Department.
These barbecues accompanied by Garratts in the
background have become a traditional part of our tours,
and a chance for some night photography.
The cooking fire was coal fired. Unusual for a Braai, but
understandable given the circumstances.
21 July saw the train leaving Bulawayo, destination Victoria Falls. The train
from Bulawayo to Thomson Junction was a double headed mixed train
with Class 16A # 611 and Class 15A # 424. The train consisted of 7
Museum coaches, three cabooses, a miscellany of wagons, coal wagon
and water tank. Tenela Bank was reached early in the morning, when the
low sun angle made for some impressive photography.
We reached Sawmills around mid-day, and this afternoon 15th Class # 424
returned to Igusi with our museum coaches before reversing and returning
to Sawmills, making possible photography at sunset on the Sawmills
Horseshoe curves.
We continued to Dete over night, with both steam locomotives and a
diesel assistance to save coal and make servicing the locomotives before
the early morning departure possible.
from Bulawayo to Thomson Junction was a double headed mixed train
with Class 16A # 611 and Class 15A # 424. The train consisted of 7
Museum coaches, three cabooses, a miscellany of wagons, coal wagon
and water tank. Tenela Bank was reached early in the morning, when the
low sun angle made for some impressive photography.
We reached Sawmills around mid-day, and this afternoon 15th Class # 424
returned to Igusi with our museum coaches before reversing and returning
to Sawmills, making possible photography at sunset on the Sawmills
Horseshoe curves.
We continued to Dete over night, with both steam locomotives and a
diesel assistance to save coal and make servicing the locomotives before
the early morning departure possible.
On the morning of 22 July we
continued north from Dete as far as
Thomson Junction. Runpasts were
staged at Mambanje and Lukosi and
the journey was livened with an
impromptu pump trolley runpast at
Hwange Station.
continued north from Dete as far as
Thomson Junction. Runpasts were
staged at Mambanje and Lukosi and
the journey was livened with an
impromptu pump trolley runpast at
Hwange Station.
On the afternoon of 22 July we ran back to Lukosi, stopping for
runpasts at 404 curve and the game fence en-route. The train was a
mixed consist with 15th Class # 424. The train ran over Lukosi Bridge
a number of times, allowing for a variety of photographs in late
afternoon sunlight. A sharp lookout was kept for big game.
runpasts at 404 curve and the game fence en-route. The train was a
mixed consist with 15th Class # 424. The train ran over Lukosi Bridge
a number of times, allowing for a variety of photographs in late
afternoon sunlight. A sharp lookout was kept for big game.
On the morning of 23 July we returned to Lukosi. A number of runpasts were made, including Baobab Hill and the
opposite side of Lukosi Bridge. The train was again a mixed consist, this time with Class 16A # 611.
opposite side of Lukosi Bridge. The train was again a mixed consist, this time with Class 16A # 611.
This afternoon, we visited the Hwange Colliery. With
no road transport available, we made use of Class
15 # 424 and a commuter coach.
no road transport available, we made use of Class
15 # 424 and a commuter coach.
The morning of 24
July saw us making
the trip from
Thomson Junction
via the tunnel to
Hwange Station, and
back via Old Hwange.
We used Class 16A #
611.
July saw us making
the trip from
Thomson Junction
via the tunnel to
Hwange Station, and
back via Old Hwange.
We used Class 16A #
611.
This afternoon we headed
north as far as the
Zanguja Horseshoe curves
that are best
photographed in the
afternoon before returning
to Thomson Junction for
the night.
north as far as the
Zanguja Horseshoe curves
that are best
photographed in the
afternoon before returning
to Thomson Junction for
the night.
We headed north once more on the morning of 25 July. An early departure from Thomson Junction placed us at
the Deka Bridge for a runpast with optimum light. This was followed by runpasts at Sambawizi and Matetsi. Our
locomotive was Class 15 # 424, hauling the museum coaches.
Soon after arriving at Victoria Falls we visited the Bridge. The view from the Zambian Bank downstream from the
Falls has become obstructed by a number of steel cables associated with extreme sport activities. Not particularly
photogenic, but entertaining whilst waiting for the train.
the Deka Bridge for a runpast with optimum light. This was followed by runpasts at Sambawizi and Matetsi. Our
locomotive was Class 15 # 424, hauling the museum coaches.
Soon after arriving at Victoria Falls we visited the Bridge. The view from the Zambian Bank downstream from the
Falls has become obstructed by a number of steel cables associated with extreme sport activities. Not particularly
photogenic, but entertaining whilst waiting for the train.
We returned to Thomson Junction by
road on the morning of 26 July to
meet Class 16A # 611 and a mixed
train to Victoria Falls. Different
runpast were arranged to those
enjoyed yesterday, except for the first
stop at Deka Bridge.
This afternoon we took time off with a
sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi
River.
road on the morning of 26 July to
meet Class 16A # 611 and a mixed
train to Victoria Falls. Different
runpast were arranged to those
enjoyed yesterday, except for the first
stop at Deka Bridge.
This afternoon we took time off with a
sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi
River.
July 27 saw 15th Class # 424
with a goods train running to
the Bridge. Good spray, early
morning lighting and a
favourable wind created a
superb rainbow over the
bridge, and the shadow of the
train in the gorge. A fitting
photographic climax to a
successful tour.
This afternoon we chartered
the Victoria Falls Safari
Express with Class 14A # 512
to the Livingstone Railway
Museum and back.
with a goods train running to
the Bridge. Good spray, early
morning lighting and a
favourable wind created a
superb rainbow over the
bridge, and the shadow of the
train in the gorge. A fitting
photographic climax to a
successful tour.
This afternoon we chartered
the Victoria Falls Safari
Express with Class 14A # 512
to the Livingstone Railway
Museum and back.
The last charter of the tour was another trip to the Bridge, this time with Class
16A # 611 and the passenger train on the morning of 28 July. Once more, a
rainbow arched over the train.
16A # 611 and the passenger train on the morning of 28 July. Once more, a
rainbow arched over the train.
| The Zimbabwe 2007 Photographic Competition To see the entries, click here. |
| Click here for Geoff Cooke's Fotopic website |