February 11, 2023 – Polokwane, Zimbabwe
I am not sure what the issue was, but we sat at Polokwane over night and part of a day.
A pair of replacement engines came rolling up about an hour ago, hooked onto the train, and we are moving again.
Many things are like that in southern Africa. Powerlines don’t necessarily have power, cash machines may or may not have cash, and timetables are just an estimate.
I am not complaining, in fact I am beginning to think I prefer it this way. When everything is predicable and safe, where’s the fun in that?
While we were parked at Polokwane Station, I started daydreaming about buying a third-hand Land Rover and driving it across Zimbabwe. I envisioned breaking down, being towed by a pair of donkeys, and spending the night in a Zulu rondaval.
The minute the train started moving again, all those images disappeared. I am back sitting in this five-star cabin….
Damn you, Rohan Vos!
Rohan Vos, founder of the all-too-efficient, Rovos Rail.
Gervais
It strikes me there are far worse situations in which to be stranded. Did you get photos of the engines?
Russ
Indeed. I took photos of the steam engines in the station, but we are pulled exclusively by diesel/electric power. The country no longer has adequate water and coal facilities on our route for steam.