Focalplane
Western Thunderer
During the last 20 years of my working life I spent time in Africa and most of the time I had little time for railways. Only when the railways came to me, as it were. I am looking through my library of photos taken during that time and a few seem to be worth sharing.
I'll start the first post in a place that could be called the "Crewe of Congo Kinshasa". Located half way between Kinshasa and the coastal port of Matadi, it is also on the main highway. Well, the only paved highway of any length in the entire country. Likewise the railway is the mainstay of Kinshasa's well being, for all supplies have to come into the country from Matadi by road or rail or by air. The Congo River is not navigable between Kinshasa and Matadi, in fact it has huge rapids for much of the distance downstream.
The railway is in terrible disrepair and is likely to stay that way without any inward investment. Neighbouring Congo Rep. has had money put into its railway so that Asian countries can extract timber and other useful resources from the hinterland - more of that country later.
in 2012 we were doing geological fieldwork along the main road and stopped to show our papers at the town of Mbanza Ngungu. Across the highway was what looked like an engine shed so we asked if we could look around. The staff and manager were friendly and showed us inside - we later found out they thought we were "investors". I have no idea about the locomotives - perhaps others can fill in the details.
The complex is not on the main line but several kilometers from it along a very windy single track:
First sighting from the regional government offices:
The main complex, largely overgrown. Most working locomotives were out on the system.
A locomotive actually running!
The manager poses with my young Congolese geologist co-worker, Sylvain:
Outside with some of the non-functioning diesels:
Finally, a bit of history. Once the Belgian Congo, the management were expats and they lived in prefab bungalows which had two roofs, both metal, one on top of the other, a bit like old Land Rovers. I didn't photograph one but this cut away model of a steam locomotive is still proudly displayed for the workers to see:
And it has its own roof!
Photographic notes. The weather was very humid and overcast, plus smoke from the town's kitchens pervaded the atmosphere, so photographic conditions were far from good. Also I only carried a waterproof Pentax camera (for security reasons) and its quality was not as good as I had hoped. It eventually filled up with water while wading in a stream, the seal having gone after two years use.
Hope you like these, I have some more from the (old French) Congo Brazzaville to load up while waiting for glue to set.
I'll start the first post in a place that could be called the "Crewe of Congo Kinshasa". Located half way between Kinshasa and the coastal port of Matadi, it is also on the main highway. Well, the only paved highway of any length in the entire country. Likewise the railway is the mainstay of Kinshasa's well being, for all supplies have to come into the country from Matadi by road or rail or by air. The Congo River is not navigable between Kinshasa and Matadi, in fact it has huge rapids for much of the distance downstream.
The railway is in terrible disrepair and is likely to stay that way without any inward investment. Neighbouring Congo Rep. has had money put into its railway so that Asian countries can extract timber and other useful resources from the hinterland - more of that country later.
in 2012 we were doing geological fieldwork along the main road and stopped to show our papers at the town of Mbanza Ngungu. Across the highway was what looked like an engine shed so we asked if we could look around. The staff and manager were friendly and showed us inside - we later found out they thought we were "investors". I have no idea about the locomotives - perhaps others can fill in the details.
The complex is not on the main line but several kilometers from it along a very windy single track:
First sighting from the regional government offices:
The main complex, largely overgrown. Most working locomotives were out on the system.
A locomotive actually running!
The manager poses with my young Congolese geologist co-worker, Sylvain:
Outside with some of the non-functioning diesels:
Finally, a bit of history. Once the Belgian Congo, the management were expats and they lived in prefab bungalows which had two roofs, both metal, one on top of the other, a bit like old Land Rovers. I didn't photograph one but this cut away model of a steam locomotive is still proudly displayed for the workers to see:
And it has its own roof!
Photographic notes. The weather was very humid and overcast, plus smoke from the town's kitchens pervaded the atmosphere, so photographic conditions were far from good. Also I only carried a waterproof Pentax camera (for security reasons) and its quality was not as good as I had hoped. It eventually filled up with water while wading in a stream, the seal having gone after two years use.
Hope you like these, I have some more from the (old French) Congo Brazzaville to load up while waiting for glue to set.