National Railways of Zimbabwe

{{Short description|State-owned railway in Zimbabwe}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox company | name = National Railways of Zimbabwe | logo = NRZ-Emblem.jpg | logo_caption = | image = NRZ Harare Station.jpg | type = State-owned company | predecessor = | key_people = Lewis Mukwada, general manager | industry = Rail transport | products = Rail transport, Cargo transport, Services | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | owner = Republic of Zimbabwe (100%) | num_employees = 7,543 (2008)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itfglobal.org/railways/unionreports-issue6.cfm |title=Railway Union Reports (by: International Transport Workers' Federation):The restructuring and privatisation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) . Issue 6 - July 2008 |access-date=7 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722125823/http://www.itfglobal.org/railways/unionreports-issue6.cfm |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | subsid = | homepage = [http://www.nrz.co.zw/ www.nrz.co.zw] | location_city = Bulawayo | location_country = Zimbabwe | founded = 24 May 1893 }}

The '''National Railways of Zimbabwe''' ('''NRZ'''), formerly the larger part of '''Rhodesia Railways''' ('''RR'''), is a state-owned enterprise that operates the country's national railway system; its headquarters are in Bulawayo.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=About Us – National Railways of Zimbabwe |url=https://nrz.co.zw/about/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> It was established in 1893 and is governed by an Act of Parliament.<ref name=":3" /> It has a commercial-administrative center in Harare and a supply center in Gweru. The Zimbabwean railway system was largely constructed during the 20th century.

== History == thumb|Rhodesia Railways emblem NRZ's history begins with the creation of the Bechuanaland Railway Company on 24 May 1893. It was renamed Rhodesia Railways Ltd (RR) on 1 July 1899.<ref name="Günter Krause">Günter Krause. ''Eisenbahnmuseum Livingstone (Sambia) und die Zambesi Saw Mills Railways''. 2 Ed. 2018.</ref>

At the same time, on 13 April 1897, the Mashonaland Railway Company (MRC) was founded. On 1 March 1905 the small Ayrshire Gold Mine & Lomangundi Railway Company — which had been founded in 1900 — merged with MRC. A similar event would occur with the Beira & Mashonaland Railway (also founded in 1900), which merged on 1 October 1927 with the MRC. Finally, MRC itself would be absorbed by Rhodesia Railways Ltd on 31 March 1937.<ref name="Günter Krause"/>

In 1938 the company owned 236 locomotives, 2 railcars, 360 coaches and 4364 goods wagons.<ref>{{cite book |title=World Survey of Foreign Railways |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxHLQGfxDa0C&pg=RA29-PA |year=1938 |publisher=Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C. |page=351}}</ref> By 1965 it had 427 locomotives, 11,000 coaches and wagons, and 29,000 employees and carried over 4,000,000 passengers per year. <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1965 |title=Horizon magazine: Zambia's Second Industry |url=http://www.nrzam.org.uk/Railway/Rail.html |access-date=27 March 2026 |website=}}</ref>

=== Nationalisation of Rhodesia Railways === On 1 April 1947 Rhodesia Railways Ltd (RR) became owned by the Southern Rhodesian government and continued to operate in that territory and Northern Rhodesia and Bechuanaland as well, retaining the name Rhodesia Railways.<ref name="Günter Krause"/> When the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was created in 1953, Rhodesia Railways was placed under Federal control rather than under the territory governments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rhodesia and Nyasaland Federation: Constitution |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1953/1199/pdfs/uksi_19531199_en.pdf |access-date=27 March 2026 |website=legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> The railways in Nyasaland remained separate.

=== Changes to the Rhodesia Railways network === Rhodesia Railways operated the Beira Railway from the Mozambique border to Beira until 6 April 1949 when it was purchased by the Portuguese colonial government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1984 |title=Railroads of Central and Southern Africa |url=https://utahrails.net/articles/central-africa-railroads.html |access-date=27 March 2026 |website=Utah Rails}}</ref>

In December 1959, RR sold the Mafeking–Ramatlhabama section of its southernmost line to South African Railways.<ref name="Günter Krause" />

After the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and the independence of Zambia in 1964, the rail network in the new country continued to be managed by Rhodesia Railways as an asset jointly owned by the two countries. This continued until the network in Zambia was transferred to the newly formed Zambia Railway Board (now Zambia Railways-ZR) on 1 July 1967.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Zambia Railways Ltd. |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/data/zambia-railways-ltd/53837.article |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=Railway Gazette International}}</ref>

=== Rhodesia Railways 1967–1979 === The name Rhodesia Railways continued to be used for the network in the former Southern Rhodesia, now just 'Rhodesia', and for the line through Botswana.

Rhodesia Railways was a heavy user of the Garratt locomotive. In June 1976, 100 of its 109 steam locomotives were Garratts. For operational purposes, Rhodesia Railways was divided into two areas: those lines north-east of Gwelo fell into the Eastern Area, with all other lines in the Southern Area.<ref name="Turk-76–77">{{Harvnb|Turk|1976|pp=76–77}}</ref>right|thumb|Opening of the railway to Umtali in 1899|300 px

=== Founding of NRZ === On 1 July 1979 when Rhodesia changed its name to 'Zimbabwe Rhodesia' the Railway technically became the 'Zimbabwe Rhodesian Railways' for less than a year. On 1 May the following year after the Republic of Zimbabwe came into being, it gained its current name, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).<ref name="Günter Krause" />

{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:right;clear:right" |+ Rhodesia Railways steam locomotive allocation, 1 June 1975<ref name="Turk-76">{{harvnb|Turk|1976|p=76}}</ref> ! !! Bulawayo !! Gwelo !! Total |- | align="left" | 12th class (4-8-2) || 5 || 1 || 6 |- | align="left" | 14A class (2-6-2+2-6-2) || 7 || 6 || 13 |- | align="left" | 15th class (4-6-4+4-6-4) || 52 || 0 || 52 |- | align="left" | 16A class (2-8-2+2-8-2) || 8 || 9 || 17 |- | align="left" | 19th class (4-8-2) || 3 || 0 || 3 |- | align="left" | 20th class (4-8-2+2-8-4) || 18 || 0 || 18 |- | '''Total''' || '''93''' || '''16''' || '''109''' |}

In 1983, the electrification of a {{convert|305|km|mi}} section between Harare and Dabuka began. The first electric convoy circulated on 22 October 1983, with the completion of works taking place two years later.<ref name="NRZ Hist">[https://nrz.co.zw/nrz-history/ NRZ History]. NRZ. 2016.</ref>

In 1987, the NRZ renounced ownership of Botswana's interior lines (an act left over from the colonial period), giving rise to that country's state-owned railway, the Botswana Railways.<ref name="NRZ Hist" />

In 1996, the government of Zimbabwe established a privatised concession to New Limpopo Projects Investments Ltd (NLPI) to build a new link between Bulawayo and Beitbridge, thus providing a more direct rail link with South Africa. NLPI founded Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway Ltd to operate the new link. The line opened on 15 July 1999.<ref name="NRZ Hist" />

In 1997, the deregulation of the transport industry took place, removing the monopoly of the sector held by NRZ,<ref name="NRZ Hist" /> a fact that led the company to enter into deep decline and accumulate increasing losses.

===Crisis=== The NRZ has suffered from the general decline of the country's economy. Neglect of maintenance, lacking spare parts, and overdue replacement of equipment have led to a situation were only part of the network is in good condition and equipment problems have led to reduced service. Steam locomotives have been reintroduced since 2004 as coal is in relatively good supply, while diesel must be imported and electricity shortages are common. Further, the company is seriously indebted, making it impossible to solve this situation without external help.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwean_trains_held_in_China_over_debt/list_messages/36451 |title=Africa news.com: Zimbabwean trains held in China over debt. 6 December 2010. |access-date=7 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210042930/http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwean_trains_held_in_China_over_debt/list_messages/36451 |archive-date=10 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Goods transport has declined, from 18 million tonnes in 1998 to 2 million tonnes in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2011/02/nrz-freight-stats-plummet%e2%80%a8/|access-date=19 February 2011|title=NRZ FREIGHT STATS PLUMMET | publisher =Railways Africa}}</ref>

In 2019, it was reported that train drivers were resorting to using WhatsApp messages to communicate, due to the unreliability of signalling and control systems. At this time NRZ operated around 100 locomotives and a 'few hundred' carriages.<ref name=":1" /> [[File:HGG-ZugNr12Gweru.jpg|thumb|287x287px|A diesel hauled service, near Gweru. Note the electrical overhead catenary, no longer in use. Photo from 1990. ]] By 2009, the {{convert|313|km|mi}} electrified section between Harare and Gweru/Dabuka was inoperable due to years of maintenance neglect and theft of overhead line equipment. Diesel locomotives now operate on the route.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Leonard |last=Makombe |date=17 May 2020 |title=Why NRZ electric trains disappeared |url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/2020/05/17/nrz-electric-trains-disappeared |access-date=2023-09-09 |work=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>

===Recent history and recapitalisation=== Between 2001 and 2006 a commuter rail service operated in Harare and Bulawayo. Three lines were operated in Harare and two in Bulawayo. They were nicknamed 'Freedom Trains.<ref>{{Cite news |title=NRZ speaks on return of intercity passenger trains |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nrz-speaks-on-return-of-intercity-passenger-trains/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |work=The Chronicle |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Between May and July 2017, a bidding process for the recapitalisation/privatisation of the company was initiated. Six companies successfully submitted their proposals. The winner of the process was the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG), a consortium of Zimbabwean and South African companies. Subsequently, the bid was cancelled due to irregularities.{{Clarify|date=November 2022}}<ref name="U.S. 2019">{{cite news |date=2019-10-17 |title=Zimbabwe cancels deal with Transnet to recapitalize state rail firm |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-transnet-idUSKBN1WW0WS |access-date=2021-05-15 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

In November 2018 a commuter service was revived in Bulawayo with one line.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2019-02-15 |title=On board Zimbabwe's only commuter train – a photo essay |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/15/zimbabwe-only-commuter-train-photo-essay |access-date=2023-05-12 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 2021, commuter rail service in Harare was started in cooperation with ZUPCO, the local bus company, operating three routes to Tynwald, Mufakose and Ruwa.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=NRZ speaks on return of intercity passenger trains |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nrz-speaks-on-return-of-intercity-passenger-trains/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |work=The Chronicle |language=en-GB}}</ref> In November 2022, approximately a year after being introduced, they were suspended again due to a payment dispute with ZUPCO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NRZ suspends commuter trains |url=https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/nrz-suspends-commuter-trains/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |work=The Sunday News |language=en}}</ref>

In 2020, all passenger services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of May 2023, passenger services have not been reintroduced. NRZ cites the age and state of repair of passenger carriages, as well as speed restrictions on some sections of track as the reason for the continued suspension, although are looking to reintroduce services at some point in the future.<ref name=":2" />

== Operations == NRZ operates about {{convert|4225|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=in}} of railway lines, all {{TrackGauge|3ft6in|lk=on}} gauge, providing freight services. This gauge is common for most countries in southern Africa.

NRZ has an important transit function in the southern part of Africa and is well linked with neighbouring countries: toward the north, at Victoria Falls the system links to the Zambia Railways, crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge. To the east, the system links to the Mozambique Ports and Railways. A second line toward Mozambique reaches Maputo. To the west, a connecting line link ups to Botswana Railways to reach South Africa, eventually reaching Durban and Cape Town. A direct line to South Africa from Bulawayo was opened in 1999 by the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway.

As of September 2025, no passenger services are operated by the National Railways of Zimbabwe. A small number of tourist trains are operated from Victoria Falls station, including a luxury long-distance service to Pretoria, South Africa by Rovos Rail. Some heritage steam trains are also operated on track in the vicinity of Victoria Falls. In September 2025, NRZ operated charter tourist trains between Harare and Mutare.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Online |date=2025-09-03 |title=Boost for Sanganai as Harare-Mutare passenger train returns |url=https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/boost-for-sanganai-as-harare-mutare-passenger-train-returns/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=herald |language=en-US}}</ref>

Prior to 2020, the following passenger services were operated:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-28 |title=Passenger services - National Railways of Zimbabwe |url=https://nrz.co.zw/passenger-services/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928130559/https://nrz.co.zw/passenger-services/ |archive-date=28 September 2022 }}</ref> * Harare-Bulawayo * Harare-Mutare * Bulawayo-Victoria Falls * Bulawayo-Chiredzi * Bulawayo-Chicualacuala thumb|Steam train crossing Victoria Falls Bridge in 1992.

===Steam=== Steam locomotives are still used in Zimbabwe; they have proven so popular with tourists that there are plans to refurbish several more steam locomotives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/10/refurbishing-for-more-zim-steam-locos/|access-date=9 November 2010|title=REFURBISHING FOR MORE ZIM STEAM LOCOS | publisher =Railways Africa}}</ref> However, funding is constrained, and diesel-hauled freight transport is a higher priority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/12/bulawayo-steam/|access-date=12 December 2010|title=BULAWAYO STEAM | publisher =Railways Africa|date=12 December 2010}}</ref> Some steam train excursions operate as of 2023 in the vicinity of Victoria Falls.

== Major accidents ==

* On 27 August 2006 more than 60 people were killed in a head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train {{convert|30|km|mi}} south of Victoria Falls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zimobserver.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Travel&article=167|title=Victoria Falls train crash claims five lives|work=ZimObserverNews|date=28 August 2006|access-date=18 September 2006}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * On 3 June 2006 five fatalities occurred in the Ngungumbane rail crash. * On 1 February 2003 40 people died in the Dete train crash.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2715483.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} World {{!}} Africa {{!}} 40 die in Zimbabwe train crash|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=2 February 2003 |access-date=2017-09-06}}</ref>

== Major lines and stations == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Line !! Stations !! Notes |- | Victoria Falls – Plumtree || Victoria Falls – Bulawayo section *Victoria Falls *Thomson Junction *Hwange *Dete *Bulawayo Bulawayo – Plumtree section *Bulawayo *Marula *Plumtree, border to Francistown, Botswana || Part of Cape to Cairo Railway Link from Victoria Falls to Zambia Railways, Zambia. The charge was $60 for the sleeper class, $50 for the standard class and $40 for the economy class.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.herald.co.zw/high-bus-fares-trigger-demand-for-train-service/|title=High bus fares trigger demand for train service|work=The Herald|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref> Part of the line is in Botswana Connects further to Mahikeng, South Africa. In 1911 Rhodesia Railways was granted a special agreement to preserve its rights of access under the Tati Concessions Land Act, which formally annexed a former territory of Matabeleland, an area including Francistown, to the Bechuanaland Protectorate. |- | Beira–Bulawayo railway || Bulawayo – Harare section *Bulawayo *Somabhula **Mbizi ***Chiredzi **Sango **Chicualacuala *Gweru **Masvingo *Kwekwe *Kadoma *Chegutu *Harare Harare – Mutare section *Marondera *Macheke *Rusape *Nyazura *Mutare, ||Link from Mutare to Port of Beira, Mozambique. The Harare-Mutare route was the busiest route. The sleeper class was $40, whilst the standard class is $30 and the economy class $25.<ref name=":0" /> Link from Somabhula to Port of Maputo, Mozambique The charge was $60 for the sleper class, $50 for the standard class and $40 for the economy class.<ref name=":0" /> |- | Harare – Shamva/Kildonan/Zawi || *Harare **Shamva *Maryland, Zimbabwe **Kildonan *Zawi || |- | Limpopo railway || *Somabhula *Zvishavane *Rutenga *Mbizi *Sango/Nyangambe ||Link from Chicualacuala to Maputo, Mozambique. Link from Harare and Bulawayo, via Beira–Bulawayo railway |- | Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (privately owned) | |Connects to Beitbridge, South Africa.

The privately owned Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) provides a direct rail link to South Africa. This railway was opened in 1999 and will become part of the NRZ after 30 years. |}

==Museum== right|thumb|Steam locomotives of different classes at the museum area (1990) The Zimbabwe National Railways Museum is in Bulawayo; it has a selection of locomotives, railway carriages and other interesting things. One of the exhibits is a Rhodesia Railways class DE2 diesel locomotive.

== People== *Former Zimbabwe Vice President Joshua Nkomo worked there as a social worker in 1948. *Sir Roy Welensky, the last Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, worked as an engine driver for Rhodesia Railways before entering politics. *Frank Edward Hough, Esq., O.B.E., was Chief Mechanical Engineer for Rhodesia Railways, from which he was appointed a C.B.E. in 1953.

== See also == * Transport in Zimbabwe *History of Zimbabwe

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Sources== {{Refbegin}} *{{cite book |last1=Burrett |first1=Robert |last2=Murray |first2=Gordon |title=Iron Spine & Ribs: The Railways of south Central Africa |date=2020 |publisher=Lulu Press |location=Durham, NC |isbn=9781716477102}} *{{cite book|last=Durrant|first=A E|title=The Smoke that Thunders|year=1997|publisher=African Pub. Group|location=Harare|isbn=1779011342}} *{{cite book|last=Hamer|first=Edward D|title=Steam locomotives of Rhodesia Railways: the story of steam 1892–1979|year=1983|publisher=Stenvalls|location=Malmö|isbn=9172660775}} *{{cite book|last=Hamer|first=Edward D|title=Locomotives of Zimbabwe and Botswana|year=2001|publisher=Stenvalls|location=Malmö|isbn=9172661526}} *{{Robinson-WorldRailAtlas-7}} *{{cite book |last1=Shepherd |first1=Gordon |title=Old Zimbabwe's Railways and More |date=2018 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |location=Catrine, Mauchline, Scotland |isbn=9781840338119}} *{{cite journal |last=Turk |first=Andrew |date=February 1976 |title=Garratts Galore |journal=Railway World |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Shepperton, Surrey |pages=76–78 }} {{Refend}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Rail transport in Zimbabwe}} *[http://www.nrz.co.zw/ Official Website] *[http://www.seat61.com/Zimbabwe.htm How to Travel Info] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130315060214/http://www.geoffs-trains.com/Museum/Museumhome.html About the Railway Museum] *{{citation |url=http://www.railwaywondersoftheworld.com/rhodesia-railways.html |chapter=Progress in Rhodesia |title=Railway Wonders of the World |year=1936 |pages=867–874 |editor-first=Clarence |editor-last=Winchester }} illustrated account of the development of the railways of Rhodesia *[http://david-longman.com/zimbabwe.html Steam Railway Photographs - Zimbabwe]

Category:Railway companies of Zimbabwe Category:3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Zimbabwe