Rail transport in Kenya

Railway lines in Kenya

Legend
Malaba, Uganda
Malaba
Kimaeti
Myanga
Mateka
Bungoma Bungoma Airport
Mulukbu
Myanga
Webuye Webuye Airport
Lugari
Kipkarren
Turbo
Leseru
Butere
Kitale Kitale Airport
Namasoli
Moi's Bridge
Yala
Springfield Halt
Luanda
Soy
Maseno
Lela
Eldoret Eldoret International Airport
Kisian
Lake Victoria ferries Kisumu Airport Kisumu
Sosian
Kibos
Plateau
Miwani
Cheploske
Kibigori
Kaptagat
Chemelil
Kipkabus
Muhoroni
Tumeivo
Koru
Ainakboi
Fort Ternan
Timoroa
Spiral
Equator
Spiral
Makutano
Kipkelion
Maji Mazuri
Lumbwa
Sabatia
Kedowa
Esageri
Londiani
Visoi
Mau Summit
Rongai
Molo
Turi
Elburgon
Menengai Barclays Airport
Njoro

Olabanaita
Nakuru
Kampi ya Moto
Nakuru Airport Lanet
Solai
Mbaruk
Nyahururu
Kariandusi
Ol Kalou
Gilgil
Oleolondo
Nanyuki Nanyuki Airport
Naro Moru
Ilkek
Nyeri Nyeri Airport
Morendat
Karatina
Naivasha Airport Naivasha
Makaungu
Munyu
Sagana
Suswa
Murang'a
Longonot
Maragua
Kijabe
Saba Saba
Matathia
Makuyu
Uplands
Santamor
Limuru
Mitubiri
Maguga
Thika
Kikuyu
Komo
Dagoretti
Kalimoni
Kibera
Ruiru
Wilson Airport (Kenya) Nairobi
Kahawa
Makongeni
Githurai
Makadara
Dandora

Embakasi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Magadi Airport Magadi

Koora
Marimbeti
Singiraini
Athi River
Elangata Wuas
Lukenya
Kenya Marble Quarry
Stony Athi
Kajiado
Kapiti Plains Estate
Konza
Ulu
Kiu
Kalembwani
Kima
Sultan Hamud
Nzai
Emali
Kabati
Simba
Kiboko
Ikoyo
Makindu Makindu Airport
Mbuinzau
Kibwezi
Kikumbulyu
Masongaleni
Ngwata
Darajani
Kathekani
Moshi, Tanzania
Mtito Andei Mtito Andei Airport
Taveta
Kanga
Zirwani
Kenani
Murka
Kyulu
Maktau
Tsavo
Mashoti
Manyani
Bura
Ndi
Mwatate
Irima
Voi junction
Voi Voi Airport
Ndara
Maungu
Wangala
Buchuma
Mwanatibu
Mackinnon Road Mackinnon Road Airport
Taru
Samburu Samburu Airport
Maji ya Chumvi
Mariakani
Mazeras
Mazeras Spiral
Miritini
Chaani Oil Refinery
Changamwe
Port Reitz Creek
Tudor Creek
Kilindini Harbour
Likoni Ferry Likoni
Mombasa Moi International Airport

The former Uganda Railway, was run by the company East African Railways jointly for the countries of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya after World War I. Since the dissolution of the EAR corporation in 1977 the national company Kenya Railways Corporation runs the former Uganda Railway and its branches in Kenya. The most important line in the country runs between the port of Mombasa and Nairobi, where sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.

In 2006, the Rift Valley Railways Consortium led by South African companies took operating control of the Kenya and Uganda railways as part of a contract lasting at least 25 years. After criticism from the Kenya Railways Corporation, RVR doubled the frequency of service, and also imposed restrictions to reduce derailments on the ageing infrastructure.[1]

RVR run passenger trains within Kenya only, primarily from Nairobi to Mombasa but also to local towns such as Kisumu. Passenger services on these lines are offered on peak periods only. Freight services are the bulk of RVR's operations.

Operational Track

Total: 2,778 km (1,726 mi)

Narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 38 in) gauge

Railway links with adjacent countries

Specifications

Gauge change

In May 2008, debate about gauge change in Kenya to the world standard ("standard gauge") of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) became lively.

East African Railway Master Plan:

Timeline

Map

Cities served by rail

See also

References

Notes

Further reading

  • Boyles, Denis; Rose, Alan (1991). Man Eaters Motel and other stops on the railway to nowhere: an East African traveller's nightbook, including a summary history of Zanzibar and an account of the slaughter at Tsavo: together with a sketch of life in Nairobi and at Lake Victoria, a brief and worried visit to the Ugandan border, and a survey of angling in the Aberdares. New York: Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 039558082X.
  • Patience, Kevin (1976). Steam in East Africa: a pictorial history of the railways in East Africa, 1893–1976. Nairobi: Heinemann Educational Books (E.A.) Ltd. OCLC 3781370.
  • Ramaer, Roel (1974). Steam Locomotives of the East African Railways. David & Charles Locomotive Studies. Newton Abbot, Devon, UK; North Pomfret, Vt, USA: David & Charles. ISBN 0715364375.
  • Ramaer, Roel (2009). Gari la Moshi: Steam Locomotives of the East African Railways. Malmö, Sweden: Stenvalls. ISBN 9789172661721.
  • Robinson, Neil (2009). World Rail Atlas and Historical Summary. Volume 7: North, East and Central Africa. Barnsley, UK: World Rail Atlas Ltd. ISBN 978-954-92184-3-5.

External links

Media related to Rail transport in Kenya at Wikimedia Commons