Bulawayo Railway Museum
Bulawayo Railway Museum
4.5
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40 within 5 kms
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11 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Adrian D4 contributionsWell worth the token entrance feeFor a very nominal entry fee of 2US$ it was well worth a visit. The curator Gordon Murray was very welcoming and there is a lot see (but don’t expect the NRM at York!). You can get hands on with the exhibits, on the footplates etc. and there is a pump cart you are free to try your hand with. My partner thought it great fun!Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten November 17, 2023
- Jonathan C2 contributionsPerfect sunny afternoonA stunning place of history. We enjoyed an hour of walking in between old coaches and trains. It's fun to discover the place and learn about Zimbabwean railways history. Make sure you visit Gordon at the office and listen to some stunning stories about Bulawayo and the rest of the country. The place is definitely worth a visit and a great opportunity to support the work they're doing on preserving former times.Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten March 8, 2024
- ALAN LDuns, United Kingdom1 contributionRecent visit 12th MarchI have been to the York Railway Museum but found my recent visit to the Bulawayo Railway Museum to be more fascinating and enjoyable. Gordon who showed us around was a font of knowledge and his passion for all things railway was evident when speaking to him. The highlight was being able to go into Cecil John Rhodes personal carriage. Being able to climb onto the Garratt class and other locomotives is not something you will do at York Railway Museum.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten March 22, 2024
- Matty BeeMelbourne, Australia88 contributionsAmazing time at a beautiful collection of trains!Wow, what a delight! The gentleman here, Gordon, was very helpful, provided interesting history, and kindly explained things about the trains. After he showed us and took us through Cecil Rhodes' personal carriage - so sophisticated and beautiful. Entrance fee of US$5 per person was reasonable, and very much worth it. Note: the best part is that you can walk around, in, and on the trains and wagons - so amazing!Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten August 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
53
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Ismail Shillaev
Mutare, Zimbabwe1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
The railway museum in Bulawayo is very impressive. The furnishings of a hundred-year-old railway stations with steam locomotive and locomotives of later times have been preserved thanks to the incredible efforts of Mr. Gordon. I strongly advise everyone to visit the museum
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun Supanich
12 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
What a treat. This place was much more than I hoped for. It had many trains from the beginning of rail history of Zimbabwe. The highlight of the museum is Mr Rhodes personal train car from the late 1800s. If you're in town this is a must see. It is run without any help from the government so if you can afford to make a donation to help with the upkeep.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matty Bee
Melbourne, Australia88 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Wow, what a delight!
The gentleman here, Gordon, was very helpful, provided interesting history, and kindly explained things about the trains. After he showed us and took us through Cecil Rhodes' personal carriage - so sophisticated and beautiful.
Entrance fee of US$5 per person was reasonable, and very much worth it.
Note: the best part is that you can walk around, in, and on the trains and wagons - so amazing!
The gentleman here, Gordon, was very helpful, provided interesting history, and kindly explained things about the trains. After he showed us and took us through Cecil Rhodes' personal carriage - so sophisticated and beautiful.
Entrance fee of US$5 per person was reasonable, and very much worth it.
Note: the best part is that you can walk around, in, and on the trains and wagons - so amazing!
Written August 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael F
Winter Haven, FL151 contributions
Jun 2022
This is a wonderful museum for any interested in trains, but it is much more than that. This museum really drives home how important trains were to the creation of the modern state. As you tour the museum, you get a really good picture of the last 150 years of history, from a British colony to modern Zimbabwe. I highly recommend this place.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele B
Harare, Zimbabwe24 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Amazingly well maintained despite scarce resources. Really interesting history of the railways in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe including Cecil Rhodes personal carriage. Kids would love this place as you get to climb onto the trains (@ your own risk).
Written November 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LFCKOPITE4EVER
Rancho Mirage, CA239 contributions
Jul 2022
A MUST visit! Wow! Went in for a quick one and spent 3 wonderful hours. The site is extraordinary and a true journey through time. Gordon Murray is part and parcel of it all and a true 'train man' and he has done a fantastic job overseeing since retiring from the Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe railroads. Cecil Rhodes personal car is the major - that would be a trophy for any major museum - but there is far, far more... plan for at least a couple of hours with pic opportunities a aplenty...
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALAN L
Duns, UK1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
I have been to the York Railway Museum but found my recent visit to the Bulawayo Railway Museum to be more fascinating and enjoyable. Gordon who showed us around was a font of knowledge and his passion for all things railway was evident when speaking to him. The highlight was being able to go into Cecil John Rhodes personal carriage. Being able to climb onto the Garratt class and other locomotives is not something you will do at York Railway Museum.
Written March 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan C
2 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
A stunning place of history. We enjoyed an hour of walking in between old coaches and trains. It's fun to discover the place and learn about Zimbabwean railways history. Make sure you visit Gordon at the office and listen to some stunning stories about Bulawayo and the rest of the country. The place is definitely worth a visit and a great opportunity to support the work they're doing on preserving former times.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
365candy
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe19 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
See the stately steam engines preserved and lovingly tended. Child friendly exhibits where the little ones can play at being an REAL engine driver Choo, choo! See the preserved coaches of Cecil John Rhodes and be transported to a bygone era. A must see in Bulawayo
Written January 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EvaSK42
Frankfurt, Germany103 contributions
Sept 2019
Although the museum is a bit run down and many old locos and coaches are not very well preserved due to the desastrous financial and economic situation of Zimbabwe in general, which leaves no means for the museum, the museum is a must not only for railway enthusiasts. It shows a wide range of Southern Africa's railway history and keeps the technical heritage.The guide, a former employee of the Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Railways, cares excellently for the visitors and answers all their questions. Take time enough and a camera with a wide-angle lens.for your walk through the museum.
Written October 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the train ride still available and what is the approximate cost?
Written April 13, 2019
Victoria falls train moves every day from Bulawayo starting of at 0730pm where as Harare goes times a week.
Costing $20 rtgs in a sleeper. For more questions please call/app +263773262491/+263717750555
Written April 14, 2019
Do you know if the museum is open on Sundays
Written July 3, 2018
Everyday
Written October 15, 2024
Hi - I'm trying to find some information for a very old gentleman in the UK. He has published a book, ""Local Tickets of Global Lands", and he is trying to find some tickets from a railway in Bulawayo - does the museum have any? This is the only country he doesn't have a ticket for - and he started collecting them in 1944!!
Written July 5, 2017
Contact Gordon Murray, he's the curator and extremely helpful
Written July 5, 2017
Interesting place which exhibit the locomotives which were first shipped to Africa with lots of furniture and utensils which were used long back. Interesting history which explains when, what and where everything took place. A rail trolley, jac tar and many more to identify.
Written October 12, 2024
engelbertk295
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Experience the first locomotive to be shipped in to Africa from England into Beira then railed into Zimbabwe.
Written October 6, 2018
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