‘THE GOLDEN JUBILEE EXPRESS’, HEADS FOR ZAMBIA
PRETORIA – 23rd October, 2014 –ZAMBIANS will receive a Golden Jubilee gift from Government when the newly and completely refurbished passenger train arrives in the country in a couple of days’ time.
The 16-coach passenger train, refurbished by Transnet of South Africa, is due to leave Pretoria for Zambia today and is expected to take 10 days to transit up to Livingstone.
Transnet Engineering General Manager for Coaches Business, Mr. Peter Cona, said at the flagging off ceremony in Pretoria that the train christened, ‘The Golden Jubilee Express’ has been fully refurbished to bring it to internationally acceptable transportation hospitality standards.
Mr. Cona said the train has been fitted with six economy coaches, two standard, two sleeper, and one business class coach. The train, with a built-in modern kitchen, television screens, showers and air conditioning, also includes one restaurant, one baggage and one 250 kilowatt-power coach.
He said the train’s under frame has a 25-year life span.
Mr. Cona explained that ‘The Golden Jubilee Express’ will travel from Koedoespoort Station in Pretoria, through Zimbabwe to Beit Bridge before being handed over to Zambia Railways in Livingstone.
He said Transnet has already started refurbishing another train dubbed ‘Zambezi Express’ which will be delivered to Zambia.
The flagging off ceremony was witnessed by First Secretary for economic and trade at Zambia’s High Commission in South Africa, Mr. Mande Kauseni and other officials from Transnet.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
PRESS SECRETARY
HIGH COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mobile: 00 27 810027548 Email: press@zambiapretoria.net; nshabolyo@gmail.com