Kenya: next steam excursion 4th September 2011 CANCELLED

[John Ashworth]

Just a reminder that the next Kenyan monthly steam excursion will be on Sunday 4th September 2011. Passengers will arrive at Mawenzi Gardens, Upper Hill, Nairobi at around 10 am for light refreshments before boarding the train at 10.30 am. They will then ride on the train as far as Athi River, where they will be met by Kenya Wildlife Service buses to take them for lunch and a game drive in the Nairobi National Park. The buses will take them back to Mawenzi Gardens in the evening.

Meanwhile the loco will run round the train and return to Nairobi hauling the empty coaches. Last month it was a long wait at Athi River due to heavy freight traffic in both directions. 3020 is the rostered loco again.

[John Ashworth]

Regrettably tomorrow's steam trip to Athi River has been cancelled, due to a last-minute issue within Kenya Wildlife Service which we only became aware of yesterday. It is very disappointing and frustrating for the steam team as the locomotive and crew are ready and raring to go. It demonstrates the difficulties of working with multiple stakeholders.

All the small repairs noted after 3020's last trip have been finished, but the fitters will probably stay on for a few days and deal with a few ongoing maintenance issues such as side-rod bushes and a boiler washout.

The next trip is planned for the first Sunday of October (2nd October). A contingency plan will be prepared so that we have a second destination ready at short notice, just in case.