A largely forgotten form of travel is again making tracks across Africa.
Today Kenya launched a new, Chinese-financed, railway and announced plans for the line to extend to Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
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| Train in Wau |
The first section will link the port of Mombasa to Nairobi, reducing the journey time from 15 hours to about four, and costing an estimated $5.2bn (£3.2bn), mostly funded by China.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed on the deal in August in Beijing.
Some Kenyans complain the contract was given to a Chinese firm without going to tender.
After the Nairobi section is finished the rail line will be extended through Uganda, with branch lines going west to Kisangani in the DR Congo, south through Rwanda to Burundi and then to South Sudan.
The Nairobi section is scheduled for completion in 2017. Passenger trains will travel at a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), while freight trains will have a maximum 80 km/h.
It is also hoped that the railway will reduce congestion in Mombasa, one of Africa's busiest ports.
Rob McKee (Operations Manager)
