The Rhodesia Express and The Rhodesia Limited: Cape Town to Bulawayo

"The Rhodesia Express" Boat Train

(BULAWAYO - MAFEKING - WARRENTON - KIMBERLEY - BEAUFORT WEST - CAPE TOWN)

RETURN TO THE HOMEPAGE THE CASTLES TO THE CAPE

The Story of the Rhodesia Express and the Rhodesia Limited

This feature celebrates the history of the premier express trains on the Bulawayo - Mafeking - Warrenton - Kimberley - Beaufort West - Cape Town route, linking Southern Rhodesia to Cape Town and the Union-Castle Line mail steamers arriving from England and Europe.

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Southern Africa has always attracted adventurous and romantic souls - discerning travellers who crossed the land in as much comfort as possible. During the early years of the development of the South African railway system (1895 - 1910) there were three main railway companies: Cape Government Railways, Natal Government Railway and Central South African Railways. In Southern Rhodesia there was the Rhodesia Railway that connected with parts of the South African railway system.

During this time a standard was set for passenger travel which could (considering the narrow gauge) equal the best anywhere in the world. Apart from passenger trains serving normal first, second and third class traffic, the Natal Government Railways had its “Corridor Express Trains”, while the Cape boasted its “Limited Express”, both these trains were (naturally) for first class passengers only. In 1901 Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) added another luxury train to the South African scene and called it the "Train de Luxe", also known as the “Zambesi Express”. During the latter part of 1903, the Central South African Railways introduced its own "Train de Luxe" (also believed to be known as the "Imperial Mail" and/or the "Africa Express") between Pretoria and Cape Town, which was the ultimate in luxury train travel for that time.

In 1902 the Rhodesia Express (northbound) and the Rhodesia Limited (southbound) were introduced by the Cape Government Railway and the Rhodesia Railway. In 1905 the Zambezi Express was introduced to connect with the Rhodesia Express at Mafeking for the journey onwards to the famous Victoria Falls. In 1953 Britain created the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland incorporating what is today the countries of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. In 1964 Northern Rhodesia became independent from the British Empire as the Republic of Zambia and in the same year Nyasaland gained independence as the Republic of Malawi. Southern Rhodesia was the only part of the Federation that stayed under British rule as Southern Rhodesia. In 1980 the British Colony of Southern Rhodesia became independent as the Republic of Zimbabwe. The train service to Southern Rhodesia from Cape Town finally ceased in 1982.

However a version of the "Rhodesia Express" and "Rhodesia Limited" lives on today operated by Rovos Rail as the Pride of Africa. Today’s Pride of Africa uses lovingly restored vintage carriages from the original pre-war "Union Limited" and "Union Express" trains on luxury vintage steam train safari excursions around South Africa and on the famous Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. These Union Limited and Union Express vintage carriages are similar to those also used on the Rhodesia services.

Useful Website Links:

www.transnet.co.za

Transnet Limited

www.bluetrain.co.za

The Blue Train - The Ultimate Luxury Rail Cruise Experience

(Luxrail / Transnet Ltd, South Africa)

Rovos Rail - The Pride of Africa