Botswana Railways (BR) is the national railway of Botswana.

Contents 1 History 2 Network 3 Major stations 4 Fleet 4.1 Locomotives 5 Railway links to adjacent countries 6 see also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] History

BR was created in 1987 when the government of Botswana bought out the Botswana-based sections of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).^[1] NRZ had been initially operating the rail system after Botswana had gained independence. Management of the BR is supported by RITES Ltd. of India.

The opening of the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway in Zimbabwe in 1999 resulted in a major drop in the volume of freight transit and income. As a response the BR has been considering the construction of a direct line to Zambia (Zambia Railways), bypassing Zimbabwe, to regain income from transit.

On 27 February 2009, an announcement was made of the termination of all Botswana Railways passenger services.^[2] However, passenger trains run by National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) continue to run from Bulawayo to Lobatse via Plumtree, Francistown and Gaborone.^[3]

[edit] Network

v • d • e Botswana Railways
Legend ( NRZ to Bulawayo ) Plumtree Zimbabwe border Sua Pan Ramokgwebana Tshesebe Francistown Tati Shashe Selebi-Phikwe Foley Siding Serule Maope Morupule Colliery Palapye Tewane Gonwapitse Dinkowe Mmamabula Dibete Artisia Pilane Gaborone Ramotswa Otse Lobatse Pitsane Siding South Africa border Ramatlhabama Mafikeng ( TFR to Johannesburg ) ( TFR to Kimberley )

BR’s system maintains 888 km of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge track that runs essentially along its south-east section connecting the border of Zimbabwe-Francistown –Gaborone-border to South Africa (Spoornet). In addition, two branch lines exist.

• Main Line - 640 km
• Francistown to Sua Pan (branch line) - 174.5 km
• Palapye to Morupule Colliery (branch line) - 16 km
• Private Sidings - 50 km
• Service Sidings - 20 km
• Station Yards - 30 km
• Crossing Loops - 20 km

[edit] Major stations

• (Plumtree, Zimbabwe)
• Ramokgwebana
• Francistown
  • Sowa
• Serule
  • Selibe Phikwe
• Palapye
• Gaborone
• Lobatse
• Ramatlhabama
• (Mafeking, South Africa)

[edit] Fleet

[edit] Locomotives

As of March 2009

• 8 General Electric UM 22C diesel-electric locomotives, 1982
• 20 General Motors Model GT22LC-2 diesel electric locomotives, 1986
• 10 General Electric U15C diesel electric locomotives, 1990

[edit] Railway links to adjacent countries

• Zimbabwe - Same gauge
• South Africa - Same gauge

There is no direct connection with Namibia, but one does exist via South Africa, although an electrified railway connecting to Lüderitz, Namibia for coal traffic is/was scheduled to open in 2006.

[edit] see also

• Transport in Botswana

[edit] References

1. ^ "BR history". http://www.jbic.go.jp/english/oec/post/1999/pdf/09.pdf. 
2. ^ http://www.botswanarailways.co.bw/press/27feb09.html
3. ^ "ZIM-BOTSWANA PASSENGERS DROP". Railways Africa. 20 September 2009. http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2009/09/zim-botswana-passengers-drop/. Retrieved 2009-09-21. 

[edit] External links

• Basic facts
• Network map
• Timetable 2003
• Official BR website

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