Bulawayo Railway Museum

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

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The Bulawayo Railway Museum in Zimbabwe, established in 1972, is located at the Bulawayo railway station. It showcases the rich history of Zimbabwe’s railway system, dating back to 1897. Among its notable exhibits is the personal railway coach of Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia, which was used to transport his body to his burial site.

The museum features a variety of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger and goods wagons, and railway cranes, along with models, photographs, and artifacts documenting the railway’s development. The site includes two main buildings: the Shamva Station, a relocated typical Rhodesian Railways station house that serves as the reception, and the Main Hall, which displays many special exhibits related to the railway’s history. The museum is managed by Gordon Murray and owned by the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

It offers visitors both a technical and historical perspective on the country’s rail transport and its role in Zimbabwean and Southern African history. Visitors can see engines such as the 14th Class Garratt and the "Jack Tar" train, the first to cross the Victoria Falls Bridge, making it a fascinating destination for railway enthusiasts and history buffs alike.