Tanzania, United Republic of
2.4 Tanzania Railway Assessment
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The railway system in Tanzania has a total track length of 3,676 km with two separate networks. One is run by Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which maintains and operates a 1,067 mm gauge of 975 km network in the southern part of the country, more precisely the line from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) operates over 2,706 km of tracks (1,000 mm gauge) in the Central and Northern parts of Tanzania, including Tanzania’s railway links to Kenya and Uganda. TRL is fully owned by the government.

Railways in Tanzania were first built in 1893, when the first rail track was laid at the port of Tanga. Then, construction of railway lines continued to other places in the country. The railway services were operated by Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), established in 1977 after the collapse of the former East African Community. In 2007, TRC was renamed to be TRL. For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Travel Time Matrix for Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL)

Travel Time from Dodoma to Major Towns (in hours)

 

Dodoma

Dar es Salaam

Morogoro

Tabora

Kigoma

Mwanza

Tanga

Dodoma


11

8

12

25

23

22

Dar es Salaam

11


5

21

41

38

15

Morogoro

8

8


20

33

31

15

Tabora

13

29

21


13

11

36

Kigoma

25

41

33

12


24

48

Mwanza

23

39

31

11

24


46

Tanga

23

15

15

35

48

46


Railway Companies and Consortia

TRL network is managed by Reli Assets Holding Company Limited (RAHCO). RAHCO was established under the Railway Act No. 4 of 2002 and became operational in September 2007 principally as Landlord of railways infrastructure on behalf of the Government.

TAZARA is a bi-national railway, linking the Southern Africa Regional transport network to Eastern Africa's seaport of Dar es Salaam, offering both freight and passengers transportation services between and within Tanzania and Zambia. The construction of TAZARA railway network was completed in 1975 and started commercial operations in 1976.

Tanzania Railway improvements (Standard Gauge )

The Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway is a railway system, under construction, linking the country to the neighboring countries of Rwanda and Uganda, and through these two, to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), is intended to replace the old, inefficient metre-gauge railway system.

In February 2017, construction companies Yapı Merkezi and Mota-Engil were jointly awarded a contract to build 207 kilometres (129 mi) of track between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, and a 400-kilometre (250 mi) line connecting Isaka with Burundi and Rwanda Construction of the Dar es Salaam–Morogoro line began in April, with service began in 2019. The new line is designed to allow passenger services to travel at up to 160 km/h (100 mph) and freight services at up to 120 km/h (75 mph). Tanzania plans to extend the line to Dodoma, and later to Kigoma and Mwanza, contingent on obtaining financing. The railway system would consist of several major sections and phases.

For more information on railway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.9 Railway Companies Contact List.

Capacity Table

Rail Operator Capacity


TAZARA

TRL

Lines Operates On

One line

One line

Max Train Length and / or Pulling Capacity

310-330 m

23-25 wagons (1600MT)

273 m-409 m

Pulling (750-1200MT)

Locomotives

Diesel Electric

Diesel Electric

Covered Freight Wagons Size (m) old=11.9; New=15.946

Old=231@30MT

New=93@50MT

47.5-56.8MT

Flatbed Freight Wagons Size (m) 13.9

62@50MT

40.6-72.7MT

High-sided Freight Wagons Size (m) 13.9

332@50MT

49.1-74.94MT

Drop-side Freight Wagons Size (m) old=13.9; new=13.0

 Others

Brake vans: 8.8m

Fuel tanks: 11.9m

Fuel tanks JTW:14m

Old=499@50MT

New=277@50MT

38@18MT

99@50MT

19@50MT

NIL

Tanker=40230-63210 liters


Key Route Information for TAZARA

Standard Route Information


Dar es Salaam – To Tunduma

Track Gauge

1067mm

Ruling Gradient

20%

Total Track Distance

Single-1860km

Type of Rail


Type of Sleeper and Fastenings

Wooden and concrete sleepers

Total Track Travel Time

Designed 80km/hr

Maintenance

Good

Companies / Consortiums Operating on Line

TAZARA

Traffic Frequency

 Daily

Security

Good

Main Stations

Kurasini, Mlimba, Mbeya, New Kapiri Mposhi

Key Stations for TAZARA

Key Station Information


DSM

MBY

Tunduma

Location

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Mbeya, Tanzania

Songwe, Tanzania

Contact Information




Connections with Other

Transport Means

Road and Waterways

Road

Road

Storage Capacity

(m2 and m3)

-

-

-

Handling Equipment

Movable cranes



Handling Capacity

MT / Hour
TEU / Hour

MT / Hour
TEU / Hour

MT / Hour
TEU / Hour

Other Comments




Key Route Information for TRL

Standard Route Information


Dar es Salaam – To Kigoma

Tabora - To Mwanza

Track Gauge

1 m

1 m

Ruling Gradient

1.5 to 3.5%

1.5 to 3.5%

Total Track Distance

1254km

379km

Type of Rail

Welded (56-80 pound)

Welded (56 – 60)

Type of Sleeper and Fastenings

Wooden and concrete sleepers


Total Track Travel Time

41hours

11hour

Maintenance

Marginal

Good

Companies / Consortiums Operating on Line

-

-

Traffic Frequency

 Weekly

Monthly

Security

Good

Good

Main Stations

DSM & KGM stations

Mwz

Key Stations for TRL

Key Station Information


Malind

Ilala

Kigoma

Isaka

Location

Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam

Kigoma

Isaka

Contact Information

+255 715 286 873

+255 784 365 009

+255 717 434 117

+255 685 937 111

Connections with Other Transport Means

Waterways

Road

Waterways

Road

Storage Capacity (m2 and m3)


20713.9m3

1136.52m3


Handling Equipment





Handling Capacity

MT / Hour
TEU / Hour

MT / Hour
TEU / Hour

MT / Hour
TEU / Hour


Other Comments





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