KENYA: ALL ABOARD - kENYA'S RAIL GURUS COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO RESTORE STEAM ENGINE THAT WAS ONCE THE PRIDE OF EAST AFRICA

Record ID: 740754

  • Title: KENYA: ALL ABOARD - kENYA'S RAIL GURUS COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO RESTORE STEAM ENGINE THAT WAS ONCE THE PRIDE OF EAST AFRICA
  • Date: 28th April 2004
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PHOTOGRAPHS
  • Embargoed: 13th May 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NAIROBI, KENYA
  • City:
  • Country: Tanzania, United Republic of Kenya
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Travel / Tourism,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVABNIUUEYTUGRR2H15HZ8USPLRT
  • Story Text: All Aboard -- Kenya's rail gurus come out of retirement to restore a steam engine that was once the pride of East Africa.
    In a workshop at Kenya Railways in Nairobi, lies a heap of dust and rust that was once the pride of East Africa.
    The 3020-class Steam engine originally belonged to Tanzania who christened it 'Nyaturu' after an ethnic group there.
    The Kenya Railways retained this engine after the collapse of the East African Community in 1977. They now want to revive the forty nine-year-old machine for tourism, calling on old retired pensioners familiar with the steam Engine.
    Among the pensioners is seventy-year-old Joseph Kamau who had worked with the railways for thirty six years.
    "They wrote me a letter and told me to come and build a team to restore these engines. I came to Nairobi and tried to contact people. I had worked with most of them so I knew them well and I still met others while collecting our pensions. They were even better workers I would have liked to have on the team but they're all dead now," says Joseph Kamau.
    Under a new temporary contract with the Kenya Railways, Kamau immediately brought together his former highly skilled team of pensioners. They all previously worked on similar engines as mechanics and drivers. There was no turning back for these old friends and more so from their leader.
    "There's money to fix this train -- don't complain and say there are no spares," Kamau tells his team as a word of encouragement.
    Coming out of retirement wasn't easy but they all jumped at the chance to get their hands dirty once again.
    "I'd rather come here and exercise instead of just sleeping at home. If you exercise your blood and body comes alive. Staying at home just makes you think like an old man and you will soon walk with a cane," said Jonathan Nyamai Mulu another retired pensioner, working on reviving the steam engine.
    Kamau knew that the task ahead for his small team was huge. The 3020 class engine was originally assembled in Glasgow, Scotland -- now most of its parts were missing and had to be locally manufactured.
    Despite their enthusiasm, the years had also slowed them down.
    "Getting a scrap to work is hard work, people get hurt, there's a lot of dust and rust in the tanks and we are really few. If you say you want more workers you don't get an answer quickly. In the past it was different you would get quick replacements," said Kamau.
    Kenya's Railways is using this opportunity to train its younger workers. Among the pensioners is thirty-four-year old Joseph Gighuhi Muriuki. Steam engines are new to Gichuhi and uses this chance to his uttermost.
    "I'm happy to work with the old guys because they're wise and they give a lot of advice -- and they teach you good work. I'm here so they can teach me everything about this train. You know they are old and they'll come a time when they can no longer work on it," says Gichui.
    In neighbouring Tanzania, they have also revived their own steam engine. It's part of the 2927 series that now runs on cheap industrial oil instead of coal. They use this engine to take local and international tourists for sightseeing.
    Steam engines first came to east Africa in 1896. They opened up the East African interior, becoming a romantic symbol of travel. Notables are like Britain's Queen Mother who used these locomotives to tour Kenya's highlands in 1958. Kamau and his team are nostalgic about those days and so whenever they can, they use their lunchtime breaks to go back down memory lane.
    "That was my car called the flying Saucer! It was a Cortina," said Kamau as they go through his old photo album.
    Kamau started out as an apprentice for the railways and quickly rose through the ranks becoming Kenya's first ever-African Shed Master in 1968 and was later promoted to Senior Technical inspector.
    Today Kamau and team are at the Kenya railways passengers' terminal ready to take all on board. This is after months of tinkering with the steam engine and all are confident that 'Nyaturu' will snake about the countryside.
    "We are very happy because we've tested it successfully.
    We solved all its problems and we're going to Naivasha."
    Said Kamau with smile.
    Tumaini Maini Lamonya is the Kenya Railways passengers services manager - she is excited that the steam engine can run again.
    "Actually we're just trying to promote tourism in Kenya -- we're just doing what everyone else is doing -- trying to come up with new products that's going to go a long way in promoting tourism. It's not only for international tourists also for domestic tourists," says Lamonya.
    So far Kenya has restored two steam engines. Today's journey takes them to Naivasha a town 60 kilometres away from Nairobi Tickets cost about 72 dollars and for local and international steam lovers this is quite an experience.
    "I don't know why there are not so many locals.
    Probably think they have to advertise it more. I think people have lost touch with using the railways system,"
    said a local tourist.
    "I'm really looking forward to the journey today. I think it's a more scenic way of seeing your lovely country rather than going to the Rift Valley by car," added another tourist.
    "It's my first time and I like it. I just want to feel the experience of going with the train," said a mother boarding the train.
    Reviving this railroad treasure, may help boost Kenya's tourism but for Kamau and team the biggest reward of all has been working together again on a shared passion.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Video restrictions: parts of this video may require additional clearances. Please see ‘Business Notes’ for more information.
Register