Found this photo and just wondering how steam is faring during the current crisis in Zimbabwe? Wonder if they'll cut up steam to raise funds from scrap?

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?december02/12-04-02/870718Bulawayoshed.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org

> Found this photo and just wondering how
> steam is faring during the current crisis in
> Zimbabwe? Wonder if they'll cut up steam to
> raise funds from scrap?
fROM MY CONTACTS i THINK THERE IS MORE STEAM OPERATING NOW THAN 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO. tHIS BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF FUNDS TO BUY OIL AND SPARE PARTS FOR DIESELS. REGARDS BB

STAYBOLT2@NETSCAPE.NET

> fROM MY CONTACTS i THINK THERE IS MORE STEAM
> OPERATING NOW THAN 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO. tHIS
> BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF FUNDS TO BUY OIL
> AND SPARE PARTS FOR DIESELS. REGARDS BB

This is good news. The last Zimbabwe update on Rob Dickinson's "International Working Steam Locomotives" page (May 2003) indicates that lack of funds was also impacting steam operations as they were having difficulty buying flues and tubing for superheater elements. Still, these items would have to be far cheaper than diesel replacement parts. Click on the link below for Rob's Zimbabwe section.

Regards,
Hugh


International Working Steam Locomotives- Zimbabwe
whodom2001@yahoo.com

There were at least 50-60 locomotives (nearly all Garratts) under steam there in 1988. National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) had nearly 90 or so steam locomotives total on its roster.
The railway museum near the Bulawayo depot had an Alco steam locomotive and a Pullman-built general manager's office car in its collection, if I recall.
A local firm by the name of ZECO (Zimbabwe Engineering Company) rebuilt steam locomotives for NRZ and Mozambique. The irony was that the rebuilds for Mozambique were being done with U.S. aid! After the rebuild, the Mozambique Garratts displayed a decal showing two hands shaking and an American flag.
Yes, your tax dollars did rebuild steam into the late 20th century!