Rare Footage of Zimbabwe Electrics Speeding Up The Mainline Towards Chegutu From Dabuka

#ZimbabweRailways #Zimbabwe #NRZ #ZimbabweElectrics
Finally, real footage of Zimbabwe's electric locomotives in action. I have searched high and low for a video of ELs and one recently surfaced. A big thank you to C Shields for this one. I added my extra renditions of the train at the end. This was filmed along the straight portion between Kadoma and Chegutu. My guess is the train was approaching Chigwell siding. Here is why you don't see these machines plying the Dabuka - Harare line anymore:
WHEN the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) launched the electric train more than two decades ago, the long dreary journey between Harare and Dabuka, south of Gweru, became an enjoyable one.
Although long overdue considering that the first electric train was launched more than a century earlier in 1879 in Germany, it was a step in the right direction.
While the electric train would not travel the entire journey linking the country’s two largest cities, Harare and Bulawayo, the effort was commendable.
However, the electric locomotives have all been suspended after the overhead wires which are used to transmit power were vandalised.
Fanuel Masikati, NRZ public relations manager at the time, confirmed that they had suspended the electric locomotives as a result of extensive vandalism.
“Between six and eight of the electric automotives have been suspended as a result of vandalism and this means that we have to use locomotives which were meant for other routes to service the Harare-Dabuka route,” he said.
Masikati said apart from the massive vandalism of the overhead cables, the thieves were also targeting the poles supporting the wires as well as the machines that are used for control.
This is straining NRZ which is the backbone of the country’s transport sector as it is the most cost-effective mode when it is fully operational.
Replacing the vandalised infrastructure would cost an estimated US$10 million, Masikati said.
However, before the country looks at replacing the vandalised infrastructure, NRZ and other companies which have been hit by vandalism should put in place measures to curb cases of cable theft.
“We need to address the issue of theft and vandalism before we replace the equipment because once someone is used to vandalism, then they would do the same to the installed wires,” Masikati said.
One of the major problems is that there is a ready market for the wire, in Zimbabwe and in the region.
Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira said the vandalised equipment was usually used by the informal sector with “some contraband being targeted for the export market”.
One way of curbing cable theft is to heavily guard the infrastructure; this could be done by either private security guards or the security forces. An increase in security could deter cable thieves who have become daring to the extent of vandalising electrical cables within the high-density areas of Harare.
The other option is to have deterrent sentences for vandalising, buying or selling copper cables.
Masikati said NRZ, together with TelOne and Zesa, were lobbying for a total ban on trade in scrap copper as well as stiffer penalties for those found guilty.
Convicted cable thieves now serve a minimum of five years in prison and this is a result of lobbying by companies which have been hit by vandalism.
Gwasira said they were holding various anti-vandalism and anti-theft campaigns.
“We have also lobbied for the ban on trade in copper and aluminium trading as the only copper producing mine, Mhangura Copper Mines, closed down in 1999 and it defies logic where the vandals and thieves are sourcing their scrap copper,” said Gwasira.
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LOCOMOTIVE GENERAL PARTICULARS - EL1
Actual Starting Tractive Effort 356,83 kN
Actual Continuous Tractive Effort at 34 km/h 258 kN
Design Continuous Tractive Effort at 32 km/h 258 kN
Max Running Speed 100 km/h
Cont Power Rating at Wheel 2,434 kw
Gross HP 2,490 kw
Total Mass of Locomotive 114.0 tonnes
Max Axle Load 19 tonnes
Sand boxes (4 per Loco) Total Capacity 0.32m3
Bogies 2 x 3 Axled; All Axles Driven
Wheel Diameter 1,050 mm (New) 974 mm (Worn)
Axle Boxes Roller bearings FAG Cyl Types 547521
& NUZ 2230Em1C4 F2
Gear Ratio 89:19
Max No. in Multiple Unit Operation 4 Locomotives
Loco Numbers: 4101 ~ 4130
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Copyright © 2022 Zimbabwe Railways.
All Rights Reserved.
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[@Muh_is_I]

Absolutely incredible footage my friend. Now we know for sure that the electrified line from Harare to Dabuka was not for nothing. Really proud and a very long wait indeed. As an enthusiast, you have really made my day. Wow they really hauled long consists and at a good speed as well. Impressive.

[@GTown054]

Hi Munya, credit goes to C Shield for having capturing and preserving this footage. I was beginning to think that maybe there is no actual footage of these machines out there. I'm glad you enjoyed it too like I did. These locos had power to be reckoned with.

[@Muh_is_I]

@@GTown054 indeed my friend. Keep the Channel going. I am a true railfan. I really appreciate your efforts with the content. I pop up occasionally at Gweru Station to watch the daily shunters at the yard and the usual north, south and eastbound traffic. Thanks again

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Good video, especially the train chasing shots at the beginning. Best regards from Hamburg. Dirk

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[@davestrains6816]

Outstanding video, thanks for sharing. Dave

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[@EdWhizAviationTrains]

Excellent footage of the Electric Locomotives 👍😎

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[@RailwayvideosPoland1616]

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[@klc-marinrailfan6754]

Fantastic video with racing against the train ;)
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Great video my friend! I love electric locomotives ! Have a nice day!

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Very nice trip, well filmed. Second part a great animation

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[@gamingzone1122]

lovely capture

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[@RAILFANinSOUTHAFRICA]

A great and clever combination of historic footage and a virtual creation. Well done!

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Hi Piet, thank you.

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Nice pace!

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[@GTown054]

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[@RailFanRob]

very informative...thanks for the insight on this. love the video!!! it's too bad they vandalized a good thing!!!

[@GTown054]

Thanks, its hard to get actual video footage of these electric locos. Thanks for watching.

[@granseoletto]

Spectacular video recording: very good job !! Greetings from Italy

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[@GTown054]

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[@kptrains]

Great chase! Enjoyed seeing the freight trains! Greetings 👋

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[@damian.rosario]

Excellent video friend, liked it 😉👏👏

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[@trainspotting_and_tech2023]

Very interesting! 🤔 Sad that they abandoned the electric traction due to vandalism... 😐

[@GTown054]

Sad indeed, thanks for watching.

[@stevedj2707]

Great to see such variety of goods on the freight trains. Nice video thank you. From the UK a sub from me :-)

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Hi Steve, thanks for watching and subbing.

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nice movie greetings from Belarus!

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Awesome compilation

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[@nyoni_tour6677]

Wow absolutely awesome 👏🏿 wonderful I couldn’t watch this over and over. I wish I had my own camera thosedays I would have definitely made a footage of it.

[@GTown054]

Hi Nyoni, I too wish I had a camera when ELs and the Zisco liner where still operational. All I have are just memories of them.

[@mukeshrf145]

Nice super video electric locomotive

[@GTown054]

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[@highiron5513]

This is as rare as it gets, sadly those who managed to video these electric trains they have their footage on VHS. Thank you for getting this on here for us to see. Your simulator clips are very good too. they do remind us that they did exist but seeing the actual locos. Keep up the great work of documenting these trains from Zimbabwe.

[@GTown054]

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Top Video 👍 👍 👍

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cool bro train race

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[@RailwayVideos.]

Wonderful race; imagine getting this on camera from outside,in between the rails

[@GTown054]

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[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Great details on the loco's but no mention of the source? Are they Hitachi or Mitsubishi or maybe from Europe? Pakistan Railways ceased electric train traction a few years back due to copper thieves, they just gave up replacing wire and system outages disrupting the network. Only Queensland has electric freight loco's in Australia working large coal trains.

[@GTown054]

Hi Dave, they were designed by the 50 Cycles Group led by Brown Boveri but apparently built by ZECO.

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

@@GTown054 Didn't ZECO once have the Bulawayo workshops in the 1980's?

[@GTown054]

@@dieseldavetrains8988 They did, now all closed down.

[@SAMMOBADEXPRESSTRAIN]

Supper video

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[@AadhityaRF]

Wonderful!

[@GTown054]

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[@upadokkbeats]

Very nice

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[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

Very rare!

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[@Pociagdopociagow...iWidawy]

4️⃣3️⃣👍♥️

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Super video !!!

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[@railroadfansandfun]

This was AWESOME! Thanks for bringing us along!!!

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[@the_vehicle_spotter]

Very nice e- train👍

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[@the_vehicle_spotter]

Yes and your welcome:)