The Sunday Mail
Extra Reporter
Rail tourism has the potential to ease some of the NRZ’s financial woes as the operation of two luxury trains shows.
South Africa’s famous Blue Train and a special steam train which was initiated by the NRZ and hauled excited passengers from Harare to Ruwa are perfect examples of how the NRZ can use rail tourism to get back on track.
The Blue Train, the world’s leading luxury train, attracts immense attention each time it passes through Bulawayo on its way to Victoria Falls.
Huge crowds gather at Bulawayo’s main station to catch a glimpse of this tourism legend. Voted the World’s Leading Luxury Train for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011, the train operates from Pretoria, South Africa to Victoria Falls once a month.
The three-night adventure begins with the train’s departure from Pretoria. It then travels south to Johannesburg and to the Witwatersrand goldfields as it snakes west to Botswana.
After border formalities at Mafikeng, the train travels north through Botswana’s capital Gaborone, to Francistown and then to the Zimbabwean border of Plumtree. The next day the train passes through Hwange National Park — a rich and diverse wildlife sanctuary — where animals can be spotted from the train and a game drive excursion is enjoyed.
According to the Blue Train website, the sojourn passes through the Thompsons Junction to end up at the mighty Victoria Falls.
The train has an ‘Observation Car’ at the back of train with large windows offering panoramic views of the passing landscape and the railway tracks.
Also known as the “moving five-star hotel” the train takes guests through some of the most breathtaking places in the Southern African region.
The train can be chartered for strategic meetings, product launches, VIP cocktail parties, lunches, dinners and even wedding receptions, with a variety of different routes as an option.
The ‘conference car’, which is found in one of the two train sets, accommodates up to 22 delegates, is fully equipped with audio-visual and technical equipment for a high level business meeting or a small conference.
It seems the financially troubled NRZ is fully aware of the potential that lies in rail tourism.
In 2014, the NRZ, in conjunction with the History Society of Zimbabwe, ran a luxurious steam locomotive service between Ruwa and Harare.
The last live steam locomotive seen in Harare operated on a special train in May 1978.
Dubbed the “Valentine Sundowner Special,” 164 passengers purchased tickets within a week.
Just like the Blue Train, the presence of the steam locomotive created considerable interest and a big crowd gathered to witness its departure.
Robin Taylor, one of the people who was on board as the steam locomotive puffed and huffed towards Ruwa wrote: “The National Railways are to be congratulated on this initiative and for the excellent arrangements. The dining cars were appropriately decorated for the occasion and lady passengers given red roses and chocolates.
“Staff made us very welcome. Hopefully this was the first of similar outings in the future. I certainly think a market exists for this kind of activity in Harare.”
According to Taylor, 295 passengers boarded the train and an additional coach had to be installed to meet demand.
Sadly, this service died a premature death
