KENYA: World's largest steam locomotive returns to service after 13 years

Record ID: 362640

  • Title: KENYA: World's largest steam locomotive returns to service after 13 years
  • Date: 20th November 2001
  • Summary: NAIROBI AND ATHI RIVER, KENYA, (REUTERS) STEAM ENGINE BACKING INTO STATION MOTHER AND CHILD WATCHING THE ENGINE PEOPLE WALKING TOWARDS TRAIN TRAIN SIDES FIRE UNDERNEATH TRAIN FILE PICTURES OF 59 CLASS TRAIN WITH BRITISH FLAGS LEAVING NAIROBI FILE PICTURES OF ENGINE 5919, DRIVER INSIDE ENGINE FILE PICTURES OF STEAM TRAIN CROSSING BRIDGE FILE PICTURES COUNTRY FROM TRAIN FILE PICTURES MAN SHOVELLING COAL INTO FIREPLACE SCRAP ENGINES OLD ENGINES RUSTING OLD ENGINES RUSTING ENGINE5916 RUSTING MOUNT GELAI BEING MOVED WHEELS OF MOUNT GELAI TRACKS, MOUNT GELAI "5918" PENSIONERS FIXING ENGINE PENSIONER OILING ENGINE PEOPLE AT STATION, NAIROBI MOUNT GELAI, READY TO GO KIRPAL SINGH 5918 KIRPAL NEXT TO ENGINE SOUNBITE (ENGLISH) KIRPAL SINGH, RETIRED TRAIN DRIVER, SAYING: "That is the most beautiful part of it when the steam comes out and it gives you puff chu chu chu. No other engine can give you that sound. TRAIN BEING FLAGGED OFF WHEELS OF THE TRAIN SIDE OF TRAIN PASSING BY TRAIN LEAVING STATION CARRIAGES PASSING BY TRAIN IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DINER LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW PASSENGERS IN THE DINNING ROOM COUNTRYSIDE FORM THE TRAIN SOUNBITE (ENGLISH) NGUGI MBUGUA, PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR, SAYING: "After such a long delay, it feels great to actually be on this going to Mombasa. For me its a dream that has come true. TRAIN AT JUNCTION TRAIN PASSING BY SIDES TRAIN GOING BEHIND VIEW OF TRAIN GOING SIGN SAYING ATHI RIVER, TRAIN STOPPED VARIOUS OF ENGINEERS FILLING TANKS WITH WATER SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) GILLIAN LAWRENCE BROWN, TRAIN ENTHUSIAST, SAYING: "Well its going back in time. Its going back in our history and probably our children will never see this again for the first time again after such a long time. I think everybody should be lining the route. TRAIN STOPPED, STEAM STEAM UNDERNEATH TRAIN SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) VIC ALLEN, DIRECTOR TRAINS EUROPE, SAYING: "The idea is how much more comfortable it would be for people to do exactly the same thing but on a train. Sitting there comfortably maybe being served a drink by an immaculate white suited waiter much nicer, watching the scenery drift past". TRAIN LEAVING SIDES TRAIN APPROACHING FRONT TRAIN APPROACHING, TRACKS TRAIN PASSING BY WHEELS OF TRAIN CARRIAGES PASSING BY
  • Embargoed: 5th December 2001 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NAIROBI AND ATHI RIVER, KENYA
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVAD3Z1YTIWTZVJ9DMO6MM7Z1A48
  • Story Text: A historic moment for the Kenya railways and train enthusiasts alike, as the world's largest and heaviest steam locomotive is back after 13 years out of full service. It took 3 months of renovations and several delays but Mount Gelai was finally running its old Mombasa- Nairobi route.
    Mount Gelai, one of the most powerful steam engines built for metre gauge tracks left Nairobi, Kenya's Capital City in full service for the first time in 13 years. It was among 34 locomotives that first went into service in Kenya in 1955. Fittingly the 34 locomotives were named after the highest peaks in East Africa and became known as the "Mountain" class.
    In the mid 1970s the mountain class, by then pulling goods trains began to be withdrawn. In the early 1990s they were cut up for scrap. However two survived.
    After the decision was made to put Mount Gelai back into service, it took 3 months of renovation work to bring her back into working order. Pensioners had to be called up from retirement to help with the work and run the locomotive. It's been a long journey for many of them.
    It was a proud moment for Kirpal Singh who drove Mount Gelai for 17 years.
    "That is the most beautiful part of it when the steam comes out and it gives you puff chu chu chu. No other engine can give you that sound." Said Singh. After 3 months of hard work renovating the prized relic, the Kenya Railways and train enthusiasts were proud to flag off engine number 5918, Mount Gelai.
    It is hoped that this Locomotive can be used for a special safari steam service on the Mombasa-Voi line. Built by colonialists, the line opened up the East African interior.
    For Ngugi Mbugua, of Ecofarm, a locally incorporated tour company, it has been a trying 3 months. He organised and co-ordinated the renovation of Mount Gelai.
    "After such a long delay, it feels great to actually be on this going to Mombasa for me its a dream that has come true."
    He said.
    Gillian Lawrence Brown says, " Well its going back in time.
    Its going back in our history and probably our children will never see this again for the first time again after such a long time. I think everybody should be lining the route."
    The revival of the steam engine has aroused great interest among train enthusiasts world-wide. Seeing the African countryside and wild life from a classic train is an exciting prospect.
    Vic Allen says, "The idea is how much more comfortable it would be for people to do exactly the same thing but on a train. Sitting there comfortably maybe being served a drink by an immaculate white suited waiter much much nicer watching the scenery drift past."
    It is hoped that the steam engine will provide a necessary boost for Kenya's ailing tourism industry, which is plagued by poor infrastructure, security worries and competition from other African destinations.
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