Kenya Railways Corporation

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Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), also Kenya Railways (KR) is the national railway of Kenya. Established in 1977, KR is a parastatal company.

Contents 1 History 2 Operations 3 Accidents 4 2006 Management change 5 Main stations 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] History

The original Uganda Railway was transformed into the East African Railways and Harbours Corporation (EARC) after World War I. The EARC managed the railways of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanganyika until the collapse of the East African Community in 1977.^[1] Subsequently KR took over the Kenyan part of the EARC.

[edit] Operations

Like the other members of the EAC Kenya utilizes the narrow gauge track of 1,000 mm. The reason was that when the British started the railroad construction at the end of the nineteenth century they utilized material and workers from India. The Indian gauge and rolling stock was 1,000 mm.

The mainline of the KR is based on the original Uganda Railway. Its 930 km main track connected the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa to the port of Kisumu at Lake Victoria. Half way is the capital of Nairobi that was founded as a rail depot of the UR. The British added several branch lines as well as a link to Tanzania and a link to Uganda - the total system eventually had 2,778 km of track.

As of 2006 much of the overall railway system has been neglected or is in disrepair.^[2] Nevertheless the mainline from Mombasa to Kisumu is operative. For passengers, the “Jumbo Kenya Deluxe” connects Nairobi and Mombasa. The fourteen hour overnight trip runs three times a week either eastbound or westbound on the single lane track. The “Port Florence Express” connects Nairobi with Kisumu.^[3]

KR also operates the Kenyan ferry system on Lake Victoria.

[edit] Accidents

Although KR has been an economic lifeline, it has been plagued by safety issues. Derailments are common. The maximum speed of trains on the railway is 30 miles / 45 km per hour. Notable accidents include these:

• In 1993, 114 perished in a Mombasa-bound passenger train which plunged into a river after floods washed away a bridge at Ngai Ndethya.
• In 1999, 32 died at Tsavo National Park when brakes on a passenger train failed, making it derail.
• In 2000, 13 died near Kisumu after a passenger train rolled backwards due to failed brakes.
• In 2000, at least 25 were burnt to death after a freight train carrying gas exploded.
• On the morning of October 16, 2005, a matatu (taxi minibus) was struck by a passenger train near Kisumu. Six people died and 23 more were injured.

[edit] 2006 Management change

The KR has suffered from inefficient management, has a bloated work force, and has run deficit operations in spite of its potential.^[4] For several years there had been plans to privatize and revitalize the system. ^[5] In 2005, Rift Valley Railways Consortium (RVRC) from South Africa won the concession to run KR and Uganda Railways Corporation.^[6] RVRC was to take over operations on August 1, 2006 and intends to stream line operations, reduce the work force, and make major investments to upgrade the system.^[7][8]. On July 28, 2006 the East African Standard reported that the planned take-over was postponed to November 1, 2006.^[9] This operational take-over took place in November and is scheduled to last for 25 years.^[10]

[edit] Main stations

• Mombasa
• Voi
  • Taveta
• Mtito Andei
• Makindu
• Nairobi
• Naivasha
• Nakuru
• Kisumu
  • Butere

[edit] See also

• Lunatic Express

[edit] References

1. ^ History of EARC - Nairobi Railway Museum
2. ^ Status report 2001
3. ^ Fares and timetables
4. ^ Deficit operation
5. ^ Privatization plans
6. ^ RVRC wins 2005 concession
7. ^ Investments planned
8. ^ RVRC's management starts August 1, 2006
9. ^ Postponed Take-over, accessed July 31, 2006
10. ^ "SA Firm gets "Lunatic Express" railway, accessed 12-18-2006

[edit] External links

• Steam engines
• Travel experience
• Gallery