Botswana Railways

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Botswana Railways (BR) is the national railway of Botswana. BR was created in 1987 when the government of Botswana bought out the Botswana-based sections of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).^[1] NRZ had been initially operating the railsystem after Botswana had gained independence.

BR’s system maintains 888km of 1,067 mm narrow gauge track that runs essentially along its south-east section connecting the border of Zimbabwe-Francistown –Gaborone-border to South Africa. In addition, two branch lines exist.

The opening of the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway in Zimbabwe in 1999 resulted in a major drop in the volume of freight transit and income. As a response the BR has been considering the construction of a direct line to Zambia, bypassing Zimbabwe, to regain income from transit.

[edit] Major Stations

• (Plumtree, Zimbabwe)
• Ramokgwebana
• Francistown
  • Sowa
• Serule
  • Selibe Phikwe
• Palapye
• Gaborone
• Lobatse
• Ramatlhabama
• (Mafeking, South Africa)

[edit] References

1. ^ BR history.

[edit] External links

• Basic facts
• Network map
• Timetable 2003