Steam near Lake Victoria, Kenya - 1977
Posted: 22 Jun 2013, 15:14
How things have changed. When I was in Kisumu during the early 60's the Kisumu - Maseno - Butere line was operated by Class 13 only, the line was off limits to anything bigger as the route was laid with 50 lb rail.. The shed at Kisumu would at that time contain Garratt locos for the [7 Down & 8 UP] service and for the heavy freight service to and from Nakuru etc., with motive power for the sector from Nakuru to Nairobi - laid with 75 lb rail - being changed to usually a class 60..
I spotted - not difficult - the MV Victoria in some of the photos, and remember well trying to get some sleep on her whilst traveling around the lake. It was almost impossible because she vibrated badly; something that engineers could not cure. I much preferred the SS 'Usoga' although it was much slower at 5 knots, but the food and cabin was good and there was plenty of time to relax and view the scenery.