Nairobi Railway Museum

The Nairobi Railway Museum is a railway museum in Nairobi, Kenya, adjacent to Nairobi railway station. Containing exhibits from the defunct East African Railways, it was opened in 1971 by East African Railways and Harbours Corporation. It is today operated by Kenya Railways.[1]

Coordinates: 1°17'35.86"S 36°49'21.08"O

The museum has maintained its rail connection. This allows for the efficient movement of museum exhibits for maintenance etc. It also allows additions to the collection to be easily placed on site.

The three operational* steam locomotives are stored securely under cover within the main railway works. Inquire at the museum to see if it is possible to make an appointment to view them.[1] These three steam locomotives are used occasionally on tourist excursions within the metro Nairobi area and to Naivasha and Konza.

The museum's collection of locomotives is increasing with the addition of some early diesel locomotives and, examples of passenger coaches. Recently (January 2011) a working miniature railway has also been installed.

Exhibited locomotives

The museum exhibits a number of engines, including:[1][2]

Railway Number Name Manufacturer Class Wheel arrangement EAR&H number Status[3]
Kenya-Uganda Railway 327 Vulcan Foundry ED1 2-6-2T EAR 1127 Display
87 Karamoja Beyer-Peacock EC3 4-8-4+4-8-4 EAR 5711 Display
2401 Vulcan Foundry EB3 4-8-0 Display
2409 Vulcan Foundry EB3 4-8-0 Operational*
5505 Beyer-Peacock GB 4-8-2+2-8-4 Display
393 Nasmyth Wilson EE 2-6-4T EAR 1003 Display[4]
Tanganyika Railway 301 Beyer Peacock DL 4-8-0 EAR 2301 Display
East African Railways 2921 Masai of Kenya North British Tribal 2-8-2 Display
3020 Nyaturu North British Tribal 2-8-4 Operational*
3123 Bavuma Vulcan Foundry Tribal 2-8-4 Display
5918 Mount Gelai Beyer-Peacock Mountain 4-8-2+2-8-4 Operational*
5930 Mount Shengena Beyer-Peacock Mountain 4-8-2+2-8-4 Display
6006 Sir Harold MacMichael Société Franco-Belge Governor 4-8-2+2-8-4 Display
Magadi Soda Company Hugh F Marriott W.G. Bagnall 0-4-0ST Display

The museum's W.G. Bagnall engine, Hugh F Marriott, was built in Stafford, England, in 1951. It operated as a switcher at the Magadi Soda Company until 1970.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wall, Graeme (30 October 2009). "Nairobi Railway Museum". Greywall. Greywall Productions. http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/Kenya/nrm.html. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  2. ^ Wall, Graeme (30 October 2009). "Named Locomotives of East African Railways". Greywall. Greywall Productions. http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/Kenya/names.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  3. ^ "Locomotives in Kenya". SteamLocomotive. Sunshine Software. 2010. http://www.steamlocomotive.info/country.cfm?which=kenya. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
  4. ^ Currently plinthed in Jamhuri Park, Nairobi
  5. ^ "Laying the First Rail in Mombasa, May 30, 1896". Worldview 2009. http://worldview2009.blogspot.com/2009/05/laying-first-rail-in-mombasa-may-30.html. Retrieved 13 February 2010.