Kenya

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Kenyan Railways' KR so called Madaraka Express train with its diesel locomotive no. 5304 waiting for its next departure from Nairobi to Mombasa. This train is running on the new so called SGR (standard gauge railway). Originally all railroads in Kenya and also in neighbouring countries were metre gauge. This was because they were built in the 1800s by Britons and Indians and India used metre gauge. In 2012 plans were made for a new standard 1435 mm gauge railway, which is thought to connect Mombasa to Kampala and Kigali. Chinese companies and workers were contracted to build the Mombasa-Nairobi section first. Service on this first phase was begun 1st June 2017. Today Kenya Railways runs two passenger trains in each direction daily. One is an express which doesn't stop anywhere underway. The other is called Inter-county train and it has seven intermediate stops between Nairobi and Mombasa. This train in the picture is the express one. Also the trains are of Chinese origin. This locomotive is of the type DF11 of CRRC Qishuyan (China Qishuyan Locomotive Works). The machine is also known as Dongfeng 11. It's a six axle diesel-electric machine with a theoretical top speed of 170 km/h. In China this type is nicknamed "The Lion".
Picture from the new Syokimau terminal in Nairobi 24.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

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Right after a locomotive the "Madaraka Express" train has a power generator coach. This is necessary or else all passenger coaches would instantly turn into sauna ovens in the African hot climate as soon as a locomotive is uncoupled.
Picture from the new Syokimau terminal in Nairobi 24.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

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"Madaraka Express" train second class coaches. These are type 25G coaches of CRRC Nanjing Puzhen, China. Kenya Railroad Corporation has 39 of them.
Picture from the new Syokimau terminal in Nairobi 24.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

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Two passenger trains and cargo containers / Gondola wagons at the Syokimau terminal in Nairobi. The terminal is far away, about 30 km from Nairobi city but close to the Nairobi international airport. Much of the brand new standard gauge railway line Nairobi-Mombasa actually follows side by side the old metre gauge line connecting the same cities since colonial times. You can see the old metre gauge line in this picture in the front, outside of the passenger station fence.
Picture from the new Syokimau terminal in Nairobi 24.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

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Cargo traffic on the standard gauge railway Nairobi-Mombasa started 1st of January 2018. Cargo is handled by small containers and C70E gondola wagons as well as flat container wagons, both made by CRRC Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. in China. They are hauled by Chinese DF8B locomotives, seen here behind some of the cargo wagons. The DF8B is a six axle, 3680 kW producing and 100 km/h fast cargo locomotive made by CRRC Qishuyan. Note also the small railbus-like staff transportation vehichles for maintenance crew transportation between the locomotives in the background.
Picture from the new Syokimau terminal in Nairobi 24.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

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Inside an SGR railway passenger 2nd class coach. Note the tight 3+2 seating.
Picture from the new Syokimau terminal in Nairobi 24.1.2018 by Markku Salo.
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