Friends of the Rail Forum

Mariakani Station on the Nairobi-Mombasa line

Photos by John Ashworth around 1996 or '97

Still with the remains of the old gardens - and not much better then they used to be!

My own memories of those stations in the 1990s, when I travelled frequently on the overnight sleepers between Nairobi and Mombasa, was that many of them were in very good condition. They were kept very clean, neat and tidy, with lots of rows of white-painted stones (a la military), and some beautiful gardens. I think many of the station masters had a real sense of pride in their stations and did a fantastic job on a low budget.

I have a wonderful memory of a station master despatching the train standing to attention wearing a spotless white uniform with a white pith helmet - unfortunately my camera wasn't to hand.

My travel was in the 60's and 70's. I remember everything growing like crazy as we got closer to the coast!

I used to get off at the stations when I was small (at night) and run up to the engine to get a ride. The stations used to be deserted (I think the stops were for water maybe) and as a small boy I remember battling to get into the engine.

When I had enough I used to get out at the next stop and run back in a panic down the train trying ti figure out our coach! And I could never climb back up without it being a major mission! But then I was small!!!!