Rail Museum
The National Railways Museum is the place to visit for railway enthusiasts and visitors interested in the rich history of rail transport in Africa. The Museum preserves historic milestones in the development of the railways across the continent. One of the grand visions of early railway pioneers was the establishment of a railway network stretching from Cape to Cairo. This historic plan is documented in a collection of well-preserved handwritten records that provide valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of the early railway system.
Among the many exhibits are steam and diesel locomotives, construction and recovery equipment, the historic Rhodes funeral coach, and an extensive collection of priceless photographs that showcase the evolution of railway transportation. Visitors are afforded a unique opportunity to explore a remarkable collection of railway memorabilia and experience an important part of Zimbabwe's transport heritage.
A visit to the National Railways Museum promises an experience of a lifetime for railway enthusiasts, historians, tourists, and families alike. Established in 1972, the Museum is conveniently located just over one kilometre from the Bulawayo city centre. The Museum's office is housed in the historic Shamva Station, which was carefully uprooted from its original location and reassembled at its present site within the Museum grounds.