Backpacking in Zambia: Touring the Railway Museum in Livingstone
Posted: September 15 2023 | Tagged: Zambia
Livingstone is the Adrenaline Capital of Africa but besides bungy jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white water rafting on the Zambezi or swimming in the Devil's Pool, for something a little more cultural, there is the Livingstone Railway Museum.
Having backpacked Victoria Falls and walked with White Rhinos during my 10-day stay here, I wrapped up my time here with the Railway Museum.
Ex SAR Class 7 N⁰ 955:
Ex SAR Class 7 N⁰ 955:
In Mexico I backpacked the Railway Museum in Mexico City and Puebla, Sonsonate in El Salvador and Whitehead in Northern Ireland.
The Railway Museum is located on the site of the locomotive sheds of the Zambezi Sawmills Railways.
Following the closure of the Zambezi Sawmills Company in 1973 the site was abandoned.
The Railway Museum is located on the site of the locomotive sheds of the Zambezi Sawmills Railways.
Following the closure of the Zambezi Sawmills Company in 1973 the site was abandoned.
Entry Fees for the Railway Museum in Livingstone:
The site was acquired by the National Monuments Commission in 1976 and in 1987 the Livingstone Railway Museum was opened by then President, Kenneth Kaunda.
The Zambezi Sawmills Company was founded in 1910. The railway was built all the way to Mulobezi to bring timber for the production of sleepers.
The Zambezi Sawmills Company was founded in 1910. The railway was built all the way to Mulobezi to bring timber for the production of sleepers.
The Victoria Falls Bridge was completed in 1905 and for a time, only ran until Livingstone. Within 5 years the line had been extended to Kitwe and the Congolese border.
With the introduction of diesel locomotives in 1971, most of the engines were scrapped and sold for metal. Around a dozen or so ended up in Livingstone at the Zambezi Sawmills Locomotive Sheds.
And here they remain in various states of decay.
And here they remain in various states of decay.
The locomotives here today were built in Chester, Manchester, Carlise and Glasgow for use in South Africa before being sold to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).
Class 7 №69 4-8-0 built by Neilson Reid and Company, Glasgow:
Ex-SAR Class 8A #1126:
Class 9 №96 4-8-0 built by Neilson Reid and Company, Glasgow:
Class 12 №181 4-8-2 built by North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow:
Class 15A №401 4-6-4 + 4-6-4 Garret built by Beyer and Peacock, Manchester
Class 20 №708 4-8-2 + 2-8-4 Garret built by Beyer and Peacock, Manchester
Class 9 №96 4-8-0 built by Neilson Reid and Company, Glasgow
It was strange seeing Rhodesia Railways on the 1st Class carriage and RR on the locomotives. It wasn't until 1980 that it became Zimbabwe. I grew up with it being called Rhodesia!!
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Engine #623 Garrat 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 built in 1954 by Beyer Peacock and Company Ltd, Manchester England:
NCCM Hunslet 2-6-2T:
Class G №57 2-8-2 built by North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow:
