The system straddles the crossroads of Central-Southern Africa and is the region’s prime mover of import/ export and transit traffic.

Goods destined for countries north of the Zambezi have to pass through the NRZ system as do strategic exports from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) such as copper.

Over the years, transit cargo going to our neighbours has been increasing, showing that NRZ is important in the economic development of not just Zimbabwe, but its neighbours as well.

Because of Zimbabwe’s geographical location, the NRZ becomes a key economic enabler with an impact not only in Zimbabwe but the entire SADC region.

The NRZ is a pivotal player in terms of availing cost efficient transport for the entire sub-region as it provides a vital link between Zambia and DRC to sea ports of South Africa and Mozambique.

If the NRZ system experiences any inefficiencies, that will have a serious bearing on the competitiveness of economies to the north of Zimbabwe.

While domestic cargo has fallen over the years, transit cargo is on the rise. In 2010, the NRZ moved 405 880 tonnes of transit cargo. The figure more than doubled in 2016 to 843 820 tonnes.

The NRZ system is extensive and well developed, stretching over 2 759 route kilometers of 1 067mm gauge track (the total length including crossing loops, marshalling yards, stations and sidings is 4 319km).

With this establishment, the Rail System in Zimbabwe is well placed to develop its export markets through lines to the east to Mozambique ports of Beira and Maputo, to the south linking with Botswana Railways and South African Railways, and to the north linking with Zambia Railways and on to Congo, Angola and Tanzania.

There are flat marshaling yards at Bulawayo and Harare and a modern mechanical hump yard at the hub of the system at Dabuka near Gweru, which also has a container control centre. There is a container terminal at Lochinvar near Harare.

The main line is largely a continuous-welded-rail on concrete sleepers.

Diesel traction is in use throughout the system. Steam locomotives were withdrawn from mainline operations in July 1993, but a small number have been retained for use on special “steam safari” services, notably between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls via Hwange National Park, which attract steam enthusiasts from many parts of the world.

The Railway system includes 200 river bridges, one tunnel, 39 stations open to goods traffic, five frontier stations, 668 private sidings, 23 exchange sidings and four marshalling yards.

Zimbabwe’s geographical position makes it the hub and cornerstone of regional development in which the NRZ plays a key role of linking countries in the region and ensuring the movement of bulk goods and minerals to international markets.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is one of the first companies to realise the impact HIV could have on its workforce and came up with a comprehensive HIV and Aids workplace policy.

The organisation established a section within the Medical Branch to deal specifically with HIV and AIDS issues and started a programme to treat and educate workers on HIV.

The NRZ HIV and Aids programme started in 1992.

The acting HIV and Aids Programme Officer, Mr Dewa Kondo, said the HIV and Aids Programme was started to raise awareness and manage loss of productive man hours.

“It was realised that HIV and Aids was having a negative impact on the company.  Affected workers could not come to work and sought treatment outside since NRZ did not have suitable facilities.

“Production time was greatly affected as some requested off sick days, hence the reduction in time at work”.

Mr Kondo said the organisation had made great strides in ensuring a healthy workforce through its workplace HIV and Aids programme.

“It is very expensive to lose an employee. The organisation cannot employ and train new workers yearly because it is an inconvenience. Having our own facilities ensured that workers would be treated on time and be educated on good health practices.

“We now do campaigns to educate workers on health.

“Another benefit is that workers will be healthy enough to work productively during the required hours, hence productivity is expected.

“A healthy worker has more potential in terms of productivity”.

Mr Kondo said that currently NRZ does not have donors sponsoring these programmes.

“We are grateful to the Swedish International Development Agency (SIda) as they donated a vehIcle that made it easy for the programme to be undertaken throughout the railway community.”

He said even without a donor, the NRZ HIV and Aids programme was progressing quite well.

The NRZ has plans to start providing Anti-Retro-Viral (ARV) drugs at its health centres.

“The NRZ Health department has plans to start distributing ARVs to its employees as well as the community at large.

“So far, the distribution is being done in Hwange and Dete.

“We want to create partnerships with the government because ARVs are obtained through the government.

“This will enable the NRZ medical centres to directly take ARVs from the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (Natpharm) as registered centres.

“We are also planning to formally train nurses in HIV and Anti-Retro Viral Therapy (ART), and Peer Educators in Opportunistic Infections and ART.

“This will help the health department with up-to-date information”.

The National Aids Council (NAC), the custodian of the HIV and Aids campaigns and programmes in the country, is on record calling corporate organisations like NRZ to initiate HIV and Aid programmes for their workers as well as coming up with sustainable HIV and Aids workplace policies.

NRZ is marking its 120 years of existence with renewed optimism and confidence that it will live for another century and beyond.

The recent decision by Cabinet to approve a deal brokered with Diaspora Investment Development Group/Transnet Consortium to inject fresh capital has infused a conviction that the future of the organisation is guaranteed.

Recapitalisation of the NRZ has been on the drawing board for years but it appears the dream to turn the parastatal into a viable profit making organisation is finally becoming a reality.

NRZ management and DIDG/Transnet are now involved in negotiations to tie loose ends before the deal is finalized.

When consummated, the deal will see NRZ operational capacity improving as it will have the resources to meet demand for its services from industry.

In the 1990s, the NRZ was moving between 10.5 million and 14 million tonnes a year.

Due to deteriorating infrastructure and failure to inject capital, freight volumes declined, affecting the organisation’s performance.

The NRZ system is designed to carry 18 million tonnes of freight a year but in 2016, the organisation carried only 2.7 million tonnes.

At the time when freight volumes were high, the parastatal had 240 locomotives comprising 49 steam, 161 diesel and 30 electric. The steam and electric locos have since been decommissioned while only 60 diesel locos are in service.

In terms of wagons, in June 1996, the NRZ had 10 799 wagons of different types but at present about 3 500 are in use. The rest are in need of repairs and refurbishment.

Ten percent of the track infrastructure (about 275km) is under temporary speed restrictions and has to be rehabilitated.

The $400m to be injected by investors will be used towards repair and refurbishment of infrastructure and equipment including some of the broken down locomotives, wagons and passengers coaches.

Locos which have reached the end of their service life will be overhauled to give them an additional 10 years of service.

Seven hundred and sixty eight wagons and 162 coaches are earmarked to be refurbished using part of the $400million.

In addition, the money will also be used to buy 24 new mainline locomotives and 10 shunt locomotives. The track will be rehabilitated to remove speed restrictions thus ensuring faster movement of goods and passengers.

Once the initial $400 million is injected, the drive towards operational capacity for the NRZ will start in earnest thus asserting the organisation to reclaim its position as the preferred mover of bulk commodities.

DIDG/Transnet Consortium was selected after a rigorous exercise which included a pre-bid conference attended by representatives of more than 80 local, regional and international companies.

Six companies were later shortlisted as having met the bid requirements with DIDG/Transnet consortium emerging the eventual winner.

The NRZ is implementing an action programme that will alter the way Zimbabwe’s Railways do business, and prepare the organisation to face today’s challenges. It is pertinent to mention that the National Railways of Zimbabwe is a vital link for all sectors of the economy, as it serves the nation through its extensive rail network, stretching over 2 760 route kilometers of 1 067mm gauge track and is a bulk carrier of both freight and passengers.It is in the same vein that far-reaching changes are envisaged and tomorrow’s railways will focus more than ever before on meeting the demands and growing expectations of its customers. This is the essential element in a common vision shared by the NRZ Board, management, employees as well as its shareholder, the Government. A well run Railways will be efficient, extremely safe and kind to the environment.

Through various initiatives, the NRZ is working towards the refurbishment of some locomotives, wagons, tankers and passenger coaches to boost its current capacity. The refurbishment and repair of locomotives and wagons is aimed at increasing NRZ’s fleet and enhance NRZ’s operational capacity. The NRZ is also strengthening wagon management structures at terminals, to facilitate effective and efficient utilization of the available wagon fleet and has also approached neighbouring Railway organisations to expeditiously offload and return empty wagons, so as to achieve quick turnaround of NRZ wagons.

It is pertinent to mention that as a way of enhancing operational efficiency, reducing transit times in the movement of commodities and achieving quick delivery of customers’ cargo, the NRZ has been working on enhancing methods of trains working on the main line to achieve greater efficiency. Express trains were introduced in order to enhance operational efficiency and reduce transit times in the movement of freight trains and achieve quick delivery of customer cargo. This service is aimed at reducing transit times to customer destinations, particularly from Beitbridge to Harare and Thompson Junction to Harare.

Meanwhile, NRZ has been working on the rehabilitation of the Railway infrastructure, and the removal of cautions (speed restrictions) system wide. So far the length of infrastructure under speed restrictions has been reduced from 420km to 285km. There are now 57 cautions remaining systemwide. Communication system for trains to communicate with control centers on the Bulawayo – Victoria Falls, Bulawayo – Harare and Gweru – Chicualacuala corridors was restored. Some of the infrastructure was installed through partnerships and other service providers in the communication industry, where infrastructure would be shared. GPS satellite tracking systems were also installed on mainline locomotives to help track and manage trains in section, in the absence of a signaling system. The organisation is geared to improve its service delivery to customers and is ready to accept all traffic on offer.
The NRZ has an established rail system that enables the country to develop its export markets, through lines to the east for Mozambican ports of Beira and Maputo; to the south, linking with Botswana and South Africa and to the north linking with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Tanzania. Revitalized and transformed into a viable organisation offering high standards of service at competitive rates, the NRZ will be geared to transport all traffic on offer, in the country and in particular all essential commodities.

The NRZ is currently engaged in the movement of coal to the Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare Power stations, a move that is assisting the nation to fuel its industries. Some of the coal which the NRZ is moving is also destined for the export markets, as well as the farming and industrial sectors.

In addition, the NRZ also transports cement to the local and export markets among other commodities that are currently being moved every week such as, fertilizer, wheat, chrome ore, fuel and maize. In the lowveld the rail transporter also moves cane from Triangle and Chiredzi to the mills and raw sugar to export markets.

Customers may wish to know that most of the freight trains

conveying vulnerable traffic are escorted by armed NRZ security personnel to their various destinations, throughout the country in order to minimize theft in transit and ensure safe arrival of customers’ cargo. The NRZ also moves some containerized traffic from South Africa and Mozambique, into the country.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe is not only striving to providing a unique service with style, but it must be “all things to all people” in serving the wide spectrum of the economy and the community. Its very many customers fall into various business sectors of the Zimbabwean economy as the backbone of the Nation’s transport industry that drives various sectors of the economy in support of the ZIMASSET. These are Energy and Mining, Agriculture and Industrial Sectors.

The Energy and Mining sector comprises all energy produ

cts and all minerals which account for a significant percent of the gross tonnage carried by rail. These commodities include coal and coke products, petrol, diesel, slag, chrome ore, granite and ferro alloys.

The agricultural sector is made up mainly of grains, cotton and tobacco and as readers may be aware Zimbabwe is the third largest exporter of flue-cured-tobacco in the world and the largest producer of cotton in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The industrial business sector is made up of all manufactured and partly manufactured goods, which do not fall into the other categories. However, this sector has intense competition from road transport, due to the door to door deliveries and the high-value nature of the traffic, which includes metal and wood products, cement and fertilizer, food stuff and stock feeds.

The NRZ is poised to grow by recapturing lost traffic, winning new customers, as well as satisfying their transport needs, although a major push is still needed to unleash its full potential. Making rail the first choice of moving freight and passengers in Zimbabwe and regional countries is the primary purpose of NRZ’s on-going transformation programme. In this process NRZ recognizes that a real change of focus is needed as meeting the demands of the market has become an urgent priority. At the same time the NRZ is aiming to meet new regional objectives and conquer new frontiers in the regional context.

The NRZ is also soliciting the support of private companies to participate in the PPP’s programme, in an effort meant to capacitate the organisation and enable it to play its key role of being the backborne of Zimbabwe’s transport industry that sustains the country’s economic recovery. So

me companies have in the past participated in the same scheme which saw the organisation refurbishing some wagons and locomotives, through strategic partnership with these local companies. Currently we have some companies that are engaged in the PPP program to refurbish tankers and wagons, a move that will further enhance NRZ’s capacity as it strives to move all traffic on offer.

Government realizes the critical importance of NRZ in the transformation and development of the economy of Zimbabwe and continues to support its efforts to re-equip and re-capitalize the organisation in order to strengthen it and give it a competitive advantage.

The NRZ is currently negotiating with some financial institutions in order to raise money for its recapitalization programme.

Some proposals have been submitted to Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, and are under consideration.

The NRZ in its long term plan requires, about US$2 billion to be fully revitalized and transformed. In the short term the NRZ needs US$460 million to restore the infrastructu

re and equipment to acceptable levels.

The NRZ’s participated at the ZITF, Mine Entra and Harare Agricultural Show, as a clear demonstration of it’s preparedness in providing transport solutions to all sectors of the economy and beyond. This was also supported by our theme, “Thinking big, think NRZ – your ideal logistics partner in stimulating trade”. Furthermore, the NRZ also fully supports the ZIMASSET blue print which is aimed at enhancing economic growth and development in the country.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe regrets to advise that six (6) people were injured when a Nissan Caravan motor vehicle rammed onto a passenger train which was travelling from Chinhoyi to Harare at 0945 hours on Tuesday 24 March 2015 at Banket level crossing.  The injured people were ferried to Banket Hospital where they were treated and discharged.We have observed with concern, the disturbing and increasing incidences of rail/road level crossing accidents, as well as suicidal cases along the railway system countrywide in recent weeks and months.  It is saddening to note that the accidents continue to occur at rail/road level crossings and undesignated rail level crossings, despite the fact that all drivers of both light and heavy vehicles are aware of the need to exercise extreme caution, whenever they are approaching rail/road level crossings, throughout the country.

It is worrying and highly disturbing that we continue to lose precious human lives almost every month, in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kwekwe and Masvingo, among other cities and towns in the country.  The increase in the number of rail level crossing accidents continues to evoke sad and heart rending memories of tragic accidents that happened in the past at level crossings such as Kirkman Road in Harare, where 34 people died in an accident which occurred when a commuter omnibus rammed onto a goods train that was travelling from Harare to Bindura, on 6 March 2007.  The sad loss of precious and irreplaceable human lives at rail/road level crossings, should remind all of us in general, motorists and public transport drivers, in particular, of our obligations to the protection of life and limb.

Furthermore, suicidal cases involving people who throw themselves in front of on-coming trains and those that seat on the railway line are also on the increase, a scenario which is of major concern to the NRZ and the public at large, as people should seek counseling and advice when confronted with challenges and seemingly difficult situations.  In many cases this involves women carrying young children, which is very saddening indeed.   It is common knowledge that many people are facing hardships and social problems, but it is not an option or solution to commit suicide.

The statistics show trends or occasions in suicidal cases increasing in January, September and December, which could be attributed to the so called January “disease” and school fees dilemma among other social effects.  Rejection, negligence and societal stigma are possible contributing factors to these prevalent suicidal cases.

An analysis of recorded statistical figures of people who died after throwing themselves in front of on-coming trains reveals that from January 2007 to February 2015, the country lost 147 people in suicidal cases, a trend which is very much disturbing.

On the other hand, from January 2007 to December 2013, 167 people died and 581 were injured at rail/road level crossings.  We therefore, urge all drivers to put on a human face when driving on our roads, so as to protect and save precious and irreplaceable human lives.

Remember to drive and arrive alive, than being the late.

Meanwhile, the NRZ is appealing to all motorists and public transport drivers to exercise extreme care and caution, when approaching rail/road level crossings.  All motorists are reminded that as they are taught during driving lessons, they should always observe and exercise extreme caution, when approaching rail/road level crossings, in order to protect precious human lives.

It is also pertinent to mention that train drivers always hoot from a distance of about 1km and also 20 metres, before approaching all rail level crossings, as a warning to motorists and heavy transport drivers as well as public transport drivers to stop at rail level crossings.

Furthermore, motorists must always observe road signs such as the St. Andrews cross, puffing bill signs, flashing lights and booms, whenever they are driving in cities, towns as well as along the highways, throughout the country.

However, the NRZ is doing everything possible by engaging other stakeholders, which include the local authorities and relevant Government departments to implement short term and medium term plans, aimed at reducing rail level crossing accidents, such as the construction of speed humps and installation of flashing signals in order to warn motorists when approaching rail level crossings, among other measures meant to reduce the number of rail/road level crossing accidents at the affected areas.  As a long term measure, the construction of fly/over roads at rail level crossings, will be considered, depending on the availability of financial resources.

There are many people dying or being injured at rail level crossings, as well as those involved in suicidal cases and we cannot sit quietly without acting and changing the behavior of our drivers on the roads and those people with suicidal tendencies countrywide.  Let us all act and be responsible when driving on our roads as responsible citizens of Zimbabwe.  Remember you cannot win an argument with a train.

Let me also hasten to mention that there are some people who were observed digging gold along the railway lines as well as under the railway lines and those ploughing along the railway line, a move which is highly dangerous and risky to the movement of both passenger and freight trains throughout the country, particularly during the rainy season as it causes wash aways that have resulted in the derailment of trains.  Furthermore, in other disturbing cases some children as well as old people were observed throwing stones to moving trains, especially passenger trains.  This has resulted in some passengers being seriously injured as well as windows of passenger coaches being shuttered.  Some children and adults have also been observed lying and sitting on railway lines, an act which is also highly dangerous to precious human lives.  These practices should be discouraged all the time as they may result in people losing precious lives.  We are appealing to the general public to desist from such retrogressive acts and report such cases to the nearest Police or Railway Security Stations.

For the second time this year, the NRZ is again running another special steam train from Harare to Ruwa to cater for family entertainment on 13 April 2014. The train is scheduled to depart from Harare at 1000 hours to Ruwa. The train will stop on the way at Mabvuku to allow steam enthusiasts and family members to take pictures of this special train. Those intending to catch a ride on this memorable special train are expected to arrive at the Harare station at 0900 hours to facilitate booking confirmations.

The public may wish to know that this is an amazing experience of a life time not to be missed by leisure lovers, who will indeed enjoy the breath taking scenery along the way to Ruwa Country Club, on board the special Family leisure train that will be hauled by age defying steam locomotive, while re-kindling the memories of yesteryear with your family members and friends in an exclusive and unique style.

It is pertinent to mention that the NRZ is geared to provide efficient rail leisure steam safari trains, at a reasonable cost in order to cater for all classes of our society, from top business executives, leisure lovers and steam enthusiasts.

The rail leisure steam safari train service, which was also successfully run this year during the Valentine day, is popular with both local and overseas steam enthusiasts. More steam safari trains are earmarked to be run this year as a way of promoting and contributing towards tourism growth in Zimbabwe. It is hoped that the move will indeed boost the tourism industry in the country, since Zimbabwe is one of the remaining countries in the world, that still run and operate steam locomotives that are popular with international steam enthusiasts.

The special Family Fun day steam rail leisure train which is scheduled to run on Sunday, will be using luxurious Museum coaches and those intending to travel on this day should contact the Harare Reservation and Ticket Office for further details and assistance.

The fare for the Family Fun day leisure train to Ruwa is US$50 for adults and US$25 for children. The fares include a special braai lunch and drinks that will be saved at Ruwa Country Club.

Furthermore, there will be lots of entertainment. This is a special experience not to be missed by those intending to sample the comfort of rail leisure travel in a special way, while celebrating the special Family Fun day with their loved ones and partners. Come and sample this service and you will never regret, as it is destined to bring families together and rekindle memories of the yester-years.

In celebrating the 120 years in existence, the City of Bulawayo has lined up festivities that will be running until 31 December 2014. The main objective of the celebrations is to commemorate Bulawayo’s existence and in the process, recognize all key stakeholders that played and continue to play a pivotal role in molding the city into the grandeur that it is today. The list of those monumental stakeholders will not be complete without the mention and active participation of the NRZ in the celebrations whose first train arrived in Bulawayo on 4 November 1897.

It was just 117 years ago that the line from the south, bringing Bulawayo into rail communication with the outside world was officially opened. In turning the pages of railway history in Zimbabwe and in Bulawayo in particular as the first city of contact, an age defying steam train will haul the special Museum coaches, rekindling the memories of yesteryear.

The train is scheduled to depart from Bulawayo at 0900 hours with prominent government, civic leaders and captains of industry and commerce to arrive at Figtree at 1030 and back to Bulawayo main station at 1230 hours. Reminiscing the arrival of the first train in 1897, when it pulled in at the Bulawayo station conveying a large number of dignitaries, the commemoration train will be welcomed by a cheering crowd where more celebratory festivities will be lined up.

Those intending to catch a ride on this historic special train are advised to buy their tickets at the main station and the Bulawayo City Council offices at $30 per adult and $20 for children. The fare caters for refreshments on board and luncheon at the main station. On the day of travel people are expected to arrive at the Bulawayo station at 0800 hours to facilitate booking confirmations and also to contact the Bulawayo Reservation Office at the Bulawayo Station for further details and assistance.

It is pertinent to mention that the NRZ is providing efficient rail leisure steam safari trains, at a reasonable cost in order to cater for all classes of our society, from top business executives, leisure lovers and steam enthusiasts. The inclusion of this commemorative train run is evident of the prominence that the rail leisure steam safari trains are gaining.

The rail leisure steam safari train services were successfully run this year during the Valentine Day and Family Fun Day in Harare and the just ended Mother’s Day, where they proved their popularity with both local and overseas steam enthusiasts.

More steam safari trains are earmarked to be run this year as a way of promoting and contributing towards tourism growth in Zimbabwe. It is hoped that the move will indeed boost the tourism industry in the country, since Zimbabwe is one of the remaining countries in the world that still run and operate steam locomotives that are popular with international steam enthusiasts.

Furthermore, there will be lots of entertainment for your enjoyment and comfort. This is a special experience not to be missed by those intending to sample the comfort of rail leisure travel in a special way, while celebrating the City of Bulawayo’s 120 years. Come and sample this service and you will never regret, as it is destined to bring Bulawayo’s social, political and economic fabric together.