Limpopo Railway, also called Gweru-Maputo railway, is a railway that connects the city of Maputo, Mozambique, to the city from Somabhula, in Zimbabwe. It is 900 km long, in a 1067 mm gauge.Mozambique Logistics Infrastructure: Mozambique Railway Assessment. Atlassian Confluence. 10 December 2018.Zimbabwe: Railway Lines Underused. All Africa. 28 August 2018.
On the Mozambican stretch, between Maputo and Chicualacuala, the managing company is Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM); on the Zimbabwean stretch, between the cities of Nyangambe (Sango-Nyala) and Somabhula, the administration is done by the company National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).Network System: System Map. National Railways Of Zimbabwe. 2017.
Its main maritime logistics facility is the port of Maputo.
History The construction of a railway line that was to run parallel to the valleys of the Incomati and Limpopo rivers began in the 1910s, initially connecting the city of Moamba, Magude and Ungubana, reaching the village of Xinavane. This stretch was completed and entered into operations in 1914.D'Ornellas, Carlos. Caminho de Ferro de Limpopo. Gazeta dos Caminhos de Ferro. 16 October 1955. pg. 372 and 410Fernandes, José Manuel. Gaza, Moçambique: Enquadramento Histórico e Urbanismo. Heritage of Portuguese Influence / Património de Influência Portuguesa — HPIP. 4 June 2021
In May 1953, works on the line were resumed, connecting Ungubana (the Ungubana-Xinavane link became a railway branch) to Chócue and Canicado, then heading north, reaching Chicualacuala (formerly Malvernia) in 1955.
The second stage of the line was inaugurated at a ceremony held on 1 August 1955, where Mozambican-Portuguese and Nyasaland-British colonial authorities were present. The Mozambican stretch initially connected Moamba and Chicualacuala, using the stretch of the Ressano Garcia railway between Moamba and Maputo to access the port of Maputo.United States. Bureau of Foreign Commerce. World Trade Information Service: Utilities abroad. Volume 1, Parte 1. 1955.
In the 1960s the government of Rhodesia completed the extension of the railway from Chicualacuala/Nyangambe, passing through Rutenga, until reaching the Somabhula junction station.Revamping the Regional Railway Systems in Eastern and Southern Africa WTO. 31 January 2011
The Mozambican Civil War interrupted railroad traffic, causing, due to attacks and sabotages, the almost total degradation of the Mozambican section of the line.Jane Perlez, Special To the New York Times. Beira Journal; Road to Prosperity Has a Special Hazard: Rebels. The New York Times. 21 February 1989.
The Limpopo Railway was restored in the 1990s, but had to be practically rebuilt in 2004 after the damage caused by the floods in 2000 in the Limpopo and Incomati river valleys.
After the reopening, it changed its route definitively, starting from Maputo and not from Moamba, going directly to Manhiça and Chócue; however, they have been operating well below cargo capacity, due to weak demand from Zimbabwe and other neighboring countries.
Railway branches The Limpopo railway has two important branches: Nandi-Mkwasine branch: connects the village of Mbizi to the village of Mkwasine.NRZ rehabilitates Chiredzi railway line. The Herald. 8 Dec 2017. Noelvale branch: in the city of Zvishavane.
Railway connections In Rutenga, the Limpopo line connects with the Rutenga-Beitbridge railway.Additional information’s, comments and other contributions to the history of 1 BN (Photos, documentation, comments, personal stories and experiences by former soldiers of the unit). 1 Battalion Guard Force. 2013.
In Somabhula, the Limpopo line connects with the Beira-Bulawayo railway.Two empires, two railway projects. United World. 8 November 2021.
In Maputo, the Limpopo line connects with the Pretoria-Maputo railway and the Goba railway.
Main railway stations
The main railway stations of the Limpopo railway are: Maputo (junction railway station) Manhiça Chokwe Chicualacuala Sango-Nyangambe Mbizi Rutenga (junction railway station) Zvishavane Somabhula (junction railway station)
References