VALENTINE SASHAY TRAINS
The National Railways of Zimbabwe intends to operate this year’s Valentine’s Day trains in a unique way that will establish unforgettable memories for lovers and steam train enthusiasts.
The organisation has planned to run two special Rail Leisure Steam trains in Bulawayo and Harare on Sunday 14 February 2016, when the whole world will be celebrating the lovers’ day.
The Valentine Sashay trains have been a successful NRZ initiative, not only helping lovers to get closer, but also promoting domestic tourism through rail leisure travel.
Both trains will leave their respective stations at 10am and give passengers a leisurely ride of two hours affording them an opportunity to enjoy and view the breath taking scenery along the way in a relaxed atmosphere.
The train from Bulawayo will travel to Figtree, while the Harare Sashay train will travel to Ruwa.
Leisure Steam trains are popular with international tourists and the NRZ has structured the cost of the Valentine Sashay train to make it affordable to most people, as the organization strives to make its rail leisure train services accessible to the majority of the people.
A ride on the Bulawayo Valentine Sashay Train will cost couples $75 while a single person will pay $40. In Harare the fare will be $100 per couple and $50 per person.
The package includes snacks along the way. Drinks will be available on a cash bar basis.
The main event of the day at Figtree will be at the Redwood Leisure Centre from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, where passengers will be treated to a braai and entertainment. In Ruwa, lunch will be served at the Ruwa Country Club.
The trains will depart for the return journeys at 1500 hours arriving in Bulawayo and Harare at 1700 hours.
To give travellers a feel of what rail travel was years ago, the steam trains consist will include luxurious Museum coaches.
The Valentine Sashay trains have had successful runs since they were introduced in 2011, as lovers and steam train enthusiasts, both local and foreign, have heartily embraced them. The steam trains provide an opportunity for people to reminisce about the form of rail transport travel in the past years.
Bookings have already opened and people intending to travel on this day should contact the Reservation Offices at Harare and Bulawayo Stations.
The NRZ, apart from the Valentine Sashay Trains, runs successful steam leisure trains every year with a number planned to run in 2016, as the public utility plays its part in promoting tourism in the country.
The Nation of Zimbabwe is one of the remaining countries in the world that still runs and operates steam locomotives that are popular with international steam enthusiasts.