Desert Express History

Desert Express was designed and built in Namibia, it took 250 000 man-hours during a period of 18 months to complete the construction of the train. Desert Express has been winding through beautiful Namibia since 03 April 1998, when it was officially launched by the President of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma. Reflecting unique colors and textures, this train was unmistakably born in Africa. Burnt amber upholstery, rich golden-red woods and animal motifs are just a few ways to tastefully echo the landscape through which you travel.

Desert Express consists of nine coaches which are permanently linked via a draw bar to minimize coupling and improve ride comfort. Desert Express is highly modern, featuring all the conveniences and luxury a traveler could ask for, while maintaining friendly Namibian hospitality and excellent service.

Desert Express History		Railways History
Desert Express was designed and built in Namibia, it took 250 000 man-hours during a period of 18 months to complete the construction of the train. Desert Express has been winding through beautiful Namibia since 03 April 1998, when it was officially launched by the President of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma. Reflecting unique colors and textures, this train was unmistakably born in Africa. Burnt amber upholstery, rich golden-red woods and animal motifs are just a few ways to tastefully echo the landscape through which you travel. Desert Express consists of nine coaches which are permanently linked via a draw bar to minimize coupling and improve ride comfort. Desert Express is highly modern, featuring all the conveniences and luxury a traveler could ask for, while maintaining friendly Namibian hospitality and excellent service.

History of Namibia's Railways
The first railway line was built at Cape Cross in 1895 by the Damaraland Guano Company Limited. The railway line had a gauge of 24 inches (610mm) and a total length of 13 miles (21 km). A locomotive with a 0-4-0 wheel arrangement, supplied by Kerr Stuart & Co of England, was used. Although this line was the first to be built in Namibia, it was situated so far from other activities that it had no impact on the transport system.
Construction of the line between Swakopmund and Windhoek started in 1897. The work was done by five groups - the structural division ("Vorbau") cleared the way and removed rocks from the demarcated route, the embankment division ("Unterbau") built the railway embankment, the third group ("Oberbau") built the permanent way, positioning and securing the sleeper-mounted tracks, the building construction group ("Hochbau") built the stations, buildings and supply stores and, lastly, the water-supply unit ("Brunnenbohrtruppe") drilled boreholes or constructed wells.
	Completing its 382 km journey, the first passenger train steamed into Windhoek at 13:30 on Thursday, 19 June 1902. Railway workshops at Karibib had electric lighting as early as 1902. The history of Namibian railways is a long one, and beyond the scope of this website. However, coming real soon is the Trans Namib Museum website which will feature extensive information on this subject. Should you visit Namibia, do call at the museum at the Windhoek Station. (The museum is open from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00.)

Please note : While every effort has been made to ensure that the information on this page is correct, no responsibility will be accepted for any incorrect information contained herein. If any of your details have been omitted or you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail us at dx@transnamib.com.na Copyright © Desert Express 2003. All rights reserved.