Attraction Guide: Nairobi Railway Museum, Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi Railway Museum Guide

All Aboard! Relive the Golden Age of Rail at the Nairobi Railway Museum Guide

Step back in time and explore the fascinating history of railways in East Africa at the Nairobi Railway Museum. Located in the heart of Nairobi, this museum showcases a remarkable collection of locomotives, rolling stock, and railway artifacts, offering a glimpse into the vital role that railways played in the development of Kenya and the wider region. It's a must-visit for history buffs, railway enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the story of East Africa's past. The Nairobi Railway Museum was established in 1971 by the East African Railways and Harbours Corporation to preserve and showcase the history of railways in the region. The museum's collection includes locomotives that once traversed the "Lunatic Express," the nickname given to the Uganda Railway due to the immense challenges and costs associated with its construction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The railway was crucial for opening up the interior of East Africa to trade and development. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits, which include a variety of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger coaches, and goods wagons. You can climb aboard some of the locomotives and imagine what it was like to be an engineer or passenger on these historic trains. The museum also features a collection of photographs, documents, and railway memorabilia that tell the story of the railway's impact on East Africa. While the museum doesn't have a specific culinary tradition, you can find numerous restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area offering a variety of cuisines.