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| Company type | State-owned company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | May 24, 1893 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Lewis Mukwada, general manager |
| Products | Rail transport,Cargotransport,Services |
| Owner | Republic of Zimbabwe (100%) |
Number of employees | 7,543 (2008)[1] |
| Website | www.nrz.co.zw |
TheNational Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), formerlyRhodesia Railways (RR), is aBulawayo headquartered state-owned enterprise that operates the country's national railway system.[2] It was established in 1893 and is governed by anAct of Parliament.[2] It has a commercial-administrative center inHarare and a supply center inGweru. The Zimbabwean railway system was largely constructed during the 20th century.
NRZ's history begins with the creation of theBechuanaland Railway Company on May 24, 1893. It was renamed Rhodesia Railways Ltd (RR) on July 1, 1899.[3]
At the same time, on April 13, 1897, theMashonaland Railway Company (MRC) was founded. On March 1, 1905 the small Ayrshire Gold Mine &Lomangundi Railway Company — which had been founded in 1900 — merged with MRC. A similar event would occur with theBeira & Mashonaland Railway (also founded in 1900), which merged on October 1, 1927 with the MRC. Finally, MRC itself would be absorbed by Rhodesia Railways Ltd on March 31, 1937.[3]
In 1938 the company owned 236locomotives, 2railcars, 360 coaches and 4364 goods wagons.[4]
On April 1, 1947 Rhodesia Railways Ltd (RR) becomes state-owned, retaining the name Rhodesia Railways.[3]
The route fromPlumtree toMafeking, crossing Bechuanaland (which was under concession to the RR), was sold toSouth African Railways in December 1959.[3]
The Zambia Railway Board (nowZambia Railways-ZR) was founded and the route network in Zambia was disbanded on 1 July 1967.[5] On the same date, theSalisbury-Umtali section of theBeira-Bulawayo railway was handed over to theMozambique Ports and Railways administration.[3]
Rhodesia Railways was a heavy user of theGarratt locomotive. In June 1976, 100 of its 109 steam locomotives were Garratts. For operational purposes, Rhodesia Railways was divided into two areas: those lines north-east ofGwelo fell into the Eastern Area, with all other lines in the Southern Area.[6]
On July 1, 1979, the RR became the Zimbabwe Rhodesian Railways, and the following year (May 1), it gained its current name, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).[3]
| Bulawayo | Gwelo | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12th class (4-8-2) | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 14A class (2-6-2+2-6-2) | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| 15th class (4-6-4+4-6-4) | 52 | 0 | 52 |
| 16A class (2-8-2+2-8-2) | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| 19th class (4-8-2) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 20th class (4-8-2+2-8-4) | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Total | 93 | 16 | 109 |
In 1983, the electrification of a 305 kilometres (190 mi) section between Harare andDabuka began. The first electric convoy circulated on October 22, 1983, with the completion of works taking place two years later.[7]
In 1987, the NRZ renounced ownership of Botswana's interior lines (an act left over from the colonial period), giving rise to that country's state-owned railway, theBotswana Railways.[7]
In 1996, the government of Zimbabwe established a privatised concession to New Limpopo Projects Investments Ltd (NLPI) to build a new link between Bulawayo and Beitbridge, thus providing a more direct rail link with South Africa. NLPI foundedBeitbridge Bulawayo Railway Ltd to operate the new link. The line opened on July 15, 1999.[7]
In 1997, the deregulation of the transport industry took place, removing the monopoly of the sector held by NRZ,[7] a fact that led the company to enter into deep decline and accumulate increasing losses.
The NRZ has suffered from the general decline of the country's economy. Neglect of maintenance, lacking spare parts, and overdue replacement of equipment have led to a situation were only part of the network is in good condition and equipment problems have led to reduced service. Steam locomotives have been reintroduced since 2004 as coal is in relatively good supply, while diesel must be imported and electricity shortages are common. Further, the company is seriously indebted, making it impossible to solve this situation without external help.[8] Goods transport has declined, from 18 million tonnes in 1998 to 2 million tonnes in 2010.[9]
In 2019, it was reported that train drivers were resorting to usingWhatsApp messages to communicate, due to the unreliability of signalling and control systems. At this time NRZ operated around 100 locomotives and a 'few hundred' carriages.[10]
By 2009, the 313 kilometres (194 mi)electrified section betweenHarare andGweru/Dabuka was inoperable due to years of maintenance neglect and theft of overhead line equipment. Diesel locomotives now operate on the route.[11]
Between 2001 and 2006 a commuter rail service operated in Harare and Bulawayo. Three lines were operated in Harare and two in Bulawayo. They were nicknamed 'Freedom Trains.[12]
Between May and July 2017, a bidding process for the recapitalisation/privatisation of the company was initiated. Six companies successfully submitted their proposals. The winner of the process was the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG), a consortium of Zimbabwean and South African companies. Subsequently, the bid was cancelled due to irregularities.[clarification needed][13]
In November 2018 a commuter service was revived in Bulawayo with one line.[10]
In 2021, commuter rail service in Harare was started in cooperation withZUPCO, the local bus company, operating three routes to Tynwald,Mufakose andRuwa.[14] In November 2022, approximately a year after being introduced, they were suspended again due to a payment dispute with ZUPCO.[15]
In 2020, all passenger services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of May 2023, passenger services have not been reintroduced. NRZ cites the age and state of repair of passenger carriages, as well as speed restrictions on some sections of track as the reason for the continued suspension, although are looking to reintroduce services at some point in the future.[14]
NRZ operates about 4,225 km (2,600 miles) of railway lines, all3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge, providing freight services. This gauge is common for most countries in southern Africa.
NRZ has an important transit function in the southern part of Africa and is well linked with neighbouring countries: toward the north, atVictoria Falls the system links to theZambia Railways, crossing theVictoria Falls Bridge. To the east, the system links to theMozambique Ports and Railways. A second line toward Mozambique reachesMaputo. To the west, a connecting line link ups toBotswana Railways to reachSouth Africa, eventually reachingDurban andCape Town. A direct line to South Africa from Bulawayo was opened in 1999 by theBeitbridge Bulawayo Railway.
As of September 2025, nopassenger services are operated by the National Railways of Zimbabwe. A small number of tourist trains are operated fromVictoria Falls station, including aluxury long-distance service toPretoria, South Africa byRovos Rail. Someheritage steam trains are also operated on track in the vicinity of Victoria Falls. In September 2025, NRZ operated charter tourist trains betweenHarare andMutare.[16]
Prior to 2020, the following passenger services were operated:[17]
Steam locomotives are still used in Zimbabwe; they have proven so popular with tourists that there are plans to refurbish several more steam locomotives.[18] However, funding is constrained, and diesel-hauled freight transport is a higher priority.[19] Some steam train excursions operate as of 2023 in the vicinity of Victoria Falls.
| Line | Stations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Falls – Plumtree | Victoria Falls – Bulawayo section Bulawayo – Plumtree section
| Part ofCape to Cairo Railway Link from Victoria Falls toZambia Railways,Zambia. The charge was $60 for the sleeper class, $50 for the standard class and $40 for the economy class.[22] Part of the line is inBotswana Connects further toMahikeng,South Africa. In 1911 Rhodesia Railways was granted a special agreement to preserve its rights of access under theTati Concessions Land Act, which formally annexed a former territory ofMatabeleland, an area includingFrancistown, to theBechuanaland Protectorate. |
| Beira–Bulawayo railway | Bulawayo – Harare section Harare – Mutare section | Link from Mutare toPort of Beira,Mozambique. The Harare-Mutare route was the busiest route. The sleeper class was $40, whilst the standard class is $30 and the economy class $25.[22] Link from Somabhula toPort of Maputo,Mozambique The charge was $60 for the sleper class, $50 for the standard class and $40 for the economy class.[22] |
| Harare – Shamva/Kildonan/Zawi | ||
| Limpopo railway |
| Link from Chicualacuala toMaputo,Mozambique. Link fromHarare andBulawayo, viaBeira–Bulawayo railway |
| Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (privately owned) | Connects toBeitbridge,South Africa. The privately ownedBeitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) provides a direct rail link toSouth Africa. This railway was opened in 1999 and will become part of the NRZ after 30 years. |
The ZimbabweNational Railways Museum is inBulawayo; it has a selection of locomotives, railway carriages and other interesting things. One of the exhibits is aRhodesia Railways class DE2diesel locomotive.
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