More than 100 years ago, one could have heard a
train slowly rolling through the villages of Zanzibar
when the island played host to the first steam locomotive
in East Africa.
In 1904 the Zanzibar Government signed a contract
with the American firm, Arnold Cheney and Co.
to build the famous Bububu Railway. A tiny steam
engine ran along a light railway, approximately
seven miles long from the Arab Fort in Zanzibar
Town, before passing the sea front and reaching the
coastal village of Bububu.
The service was most popular and very useful during
a period where roads were less established on
the island. It was largely used by the native population
as a mode of transport while providing a
constant source of wonderment for passing crowds.
Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the island could
use a special first-class coach.
Surprisingly, the railway became an important
part of the general electrification of the island.
During its construction the Americans undertook
the task of installing electrical power lines along the
track. Wherever the rails were placed, metal poles
were installed and power lines strung overhead.
By 1906, long before even London obtained them,
Stone Town had electric street lights.
In 1911, the railway was sold to the Government,
and by 1922 the passenger service ceased. As
roads improved and motor vehicles on the island
increased, its popularity diminished. Consequently,
the railway was then converted into an important
component for the haulage of stone which was
used to build the port and helped reclaim the seafront.
After 25 years of operation the railway was
closed in 1930.
Today the Bububu railway no longer exists as
result of growth and development on the island.
However, train enthusiasts can still see remnants
of the railway’s bridges and embankments from
Zanzibar’s main roads.
More than 100 years ago, one could have heard atrain slowly rolling through the villages of Zanzibarwhen the island played host to the first steam locomotivein East Africa.In 1904 the Zanzibar Government signed a contractwith the American firm, Arnold Cheney and Co.to build the famous Bububu Railway.
A tiny steamengine ran along a light railway, approximatelyseven miles long from the Arab Fort in ZanzibarTown, before passing the sea front and reaching thecoastal village of Bububu.The service was most popular and very useful duringa period where roads were less established onthe island.
It was largely used by the native populationas a mode of transport while providing aconstant source of wonderment for passing crowds.Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the island coulduse a special first-class coach.Surprisingly, the railway became an importantpart of the general electrification of the island.
During its construction the Americans undertookthe task of installing electrical power lines along thetrack. Wherever the rails were placed, metal poleswere installed and power lines strung overhead.By 1906, long before even London obtained them,Stone Town had electric street lights.In 1911, the railway was sold to the Government,and by 1922 the passenger service ceased. Asroads improved and motor vehicles on the islandincreased, its popularity diminished.
Consequently,the railway was then converted into an importantcomponent for the haulage of stone which wasused to build the port and helped reclaim the seafront.After 25 years of operation the railway wasclosed in 1930.Today the Bububu railway no longer exists asresult of growth and development on the island.However, train enthusiasts can still see remnantsof the railway’s bridges and embankments fromZanzibar’s main roads.
