The Tramways of Zanzibar

[rogerfarnworth]

The featured image in the linked article shows a horse-drawn/mule-drawn tram in Zanzibar before the turn of the 20th century.

Zanzibar hosted two early rail systems, with a mule-drawn tramway operating from 1879 to 1888 between Stone Town and Chukwani, which later used a steam locomotive. A second, more notable 7-mile line known as the Bububu Railway ran from 1905 to 1930, connecting Stone Town to Bububu, featuring passenger service and, briefly, electric street lighting.

"The First Line (1879–1888): Built by Sultan Barghash bin Said, this, one of the first, tracks in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2ft-gauge line ran from the Sultan’s palace at Stone Town to Chukwani. Initially the two coaches were hauled by mules but in 1881 the Sultan ordered an 0-4-0T locomotive from the English locomotive builders Bagnall, this was named ‘Sultanee’. The railway saw service until the Sultan died in 1888 when the track and locomotive were scrapped."

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2026/02/23/the-tramways-of-zanzibar

[Chris333]

I am pretty sure their locomotives were built by H.K.Porter not Bagnall, they are 0-4-4T's not 0-4-2T's.

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you for the response Chris333.

I spent quite a while searching for information on the  locomotive

The only thing that I found was associated with a Flickr account which is at reference 11 at the bottom of the article.

An article in Locomotives International Issue 85 sheds more light on this engine and even has an action shot of the 0-4-2T! She worked on the three foot Bububu Railway ... . "A Bagnall built 0-4-2 tank engine arrived in 1920 together with two new Porter locomotives to haul rock from a quarry for the new port construction."

I don't have access to Issue 85 of Locomotives International to check the note on the Flickr account.

Might you be able to point me to more information? I could not find anything further about the Porter engines.

Best wishes

Roger

[Chris333]

I just liked the locomotive and at one time wanted to model it. So I looked for more photos.

It looks like they had a #1 and a #2. The circle around the number is a Porter trait and the "cow catcher" pilots were used by Porter on tram locomotives.




If you happen to know any of the construction numbers of their locomotives I can look them up in my Porter records.

[Chris333]

I didn't see this photo on your site:


Everything else I have is on your site.

Based on the round domes I would say the locos were built after 1898ish.

[Chris333]

Again I am no Zanzibar expert     

But this says a railroad built before hand used Bagnalls
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Zanzibar

[Chris333]

Just found this one on FB


I can see the Porter builders plate.

And if you look under the cab there are 2 journal boxes poking out.

[rogerfarnworth]

Wow! Thank you for all of this.

I picked up the Bagnall reference in relation to the earlier line but the reference I saw seemed to conflate that with an 0-4-0.

Would you object to me using these images to correct my blog article?

Best wishes

Roger

[Chris333]

All the images were found on the internet, they are not mine.

I read the first railroad was 24" gauge and used the Bagnall, but that the exact Bagnall you posted was built in 1920. That contradicts each other.

I ordered the book on the RR. If there is any further info I'll let you know. I couldn't find a pair of 0-4-4T Porters in the list built at that time. My eyes could be tricking me though looking at a big page full of small numbers.

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you. What is the name of the book?

[Chris333]

ZANZIBAR AND THE BUBUBU RAILWAY by Kevin Patience 1998

[Chris333]

The book showed up today (more like a pamphlet)

Didn't get to read it all yet...

loco #3 (?) Porter 0-4-4T 36" gauge #3167 built 6/1905 owned by Arnold Chaney & Co. New York NY. Maybe this is the company from the US that built the RR?

Bagnall shown in your photo was 0-4-2 #2137 built in 1920 (the 1920 year is what threw me off so it couldn't have been their first 24" loco)

Also two more Porters (I assume #1 and #2?)  Porter numbers #6654 & 6655 both 0-4-4T's 36" gauge built 2/1921 for Childs & Joseph in Zanzibar.

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you. I will need to work on changes to the article.

Best wishes

Roger

[rogerfarnworth]

Hi again Chris

I have adjusted the article and noted your assistance with it. Thank you.

Hopefully it is now a better description of the Zanzibar lines.

I am working on articles about the railways in Tanzania now as well.

Best wishes

Roger

[Chris333]

Starting to read the book.

The sultans locomotive was a Bagnall #334 0-4-0T used 1881-1888 (guessing this is the 24" gauge loco)


Besides the 4 locomotives listed above. The back of the book list a roster with a 5th locomotive:

Porter #4092 0-4-4T. The Porter book says it was built 11/1907 for Arnold Cheney & Co. New York NY.

At least one photo shows the 1920 Bagnall with a Porter in the background.

Bagnall 334     1881-1888

Porter 3167     1905-1929
Porter 4092     1907-1929
Bagnall 2137   1920-1929
Porter 6654     1921-1929
Porter 6655     1921-1929