The Bulawayo Railway Museum is one of Zimbabwe’s hidden gems, tucked away behind the main railway station in the Raylton suburb of the country’s second-largest city. Established in 1972, the museum charges a modest US$5 entrance fee and offers a fascinating, hands-on journey through more than a century of railway history in Central Africa.
Its impressive collection includes powerful steam and diesel locomotives, beautifully preserved passenger coaches, and historic maintenance equipment. Unlike many railway museums, visitors are encouraged to climb into the locomotive cabs, offering a rare opportunity to experience the driver’s perspective. Among the museum’s most remarkable exhibits is the personal railway carriage of Cecil John Rhodes, complete with its original mahogany interior and cast-iron stove. We also explored the famous Jack Tar, an 1889 saddle-tank locomotive that became the first train to steam across the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge.
The museum’s entrance and ticket office are located inside the beautifully preserved Shamva Station, a charming corrugated-iron-and-timber building dating back to the 1930s. It was here that we had the privilege of meeting Gordon Murray, an 81-year-old former employee of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) who is widely respected for his lifelong dedication to the country’s railways. Since retiring, Gordon has devoted himself to preserving Zimbabwe’s remarkable railway heritage, sharing his knowledge and passion with visitors while helping care for the museum’s historic locomotives and carriages. The Bulawayo Railway Museum continues to rely on dedicated custodians like Gordon to ensure this extraordinary legacy is preserved for future generations.
Parking location – Bulawayo: 20.1728888S 28.6013312E (🚻,🚿,💦,🅿️10 USD)