Bulawayo Railway Museum
Bulawayo Railway Museum
4.5
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  • Adrian D
    4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the token entrance fee
    For a very nominal entry fee of 2US$ it was well worth a visit. The curator Gordon Murray was very welcoming and there is a lot see (but don’t expect the NRM at York!). You can get hands on with the exhibits, on the footplates etc. and there is a pump cart you are free to try your hand with. My partner thought it great fun!
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 17 November 2023
  • Jonathan C
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect sunny afternoon
    A stunning place of history. We enjoyed an hour of walking in between old coaches and trains. It's fun to discover the place and learn about Zimbabwean railways history. Make sure you visit Gordon at the office and listen to some stunning stories about Bulawayo and the rest of the country. The place is definitely worth a visit and a great opportunity to support the work they're doing on preserving former times.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 March 2024
  • ALAN L
    Duns, United Kingdom1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Recent visit 12th March
    I have been to the York Railway Museum but found my recent visit to the Bulawayo Railway Museum to be more fascinating and enjoyable. Gordon who showed us around was a font of knowledge and his passion for all things railway was evident when speaking to him. The highlight was being able to go into Cecil John Rhodes personal carriage. Being able to climb onto the Garratt class and other locomotives is not something you will do at York Railway Museum.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 March 2024
  • Matty Bee
    Melbourne, Australia88 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing time at a beautiful collection of trains!
    Wow, what a delight! The gentleman here, Gordon, was very helpful, provided interesting history, and kindly explained things about the trains. After he showed us and took us through Cecil Rhodes' personal carriage - so sophisticated and beautiful. Entrance fee of US$5 per person was reasonable, and very much worth it. Note: the best part is that you can walk around, in, and on the trains and wagons - so amazing!
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles157 reviews
Excellent
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Ismail Shillaev
Mutare, Zimbabwe1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
The railway museum in Bulawayo is very impressive. The furnishings of a hundred-year-old railway stations with steam locomotive and locomotives of later times have been preserved thanks to the incredible efforts of Mr. Gordon. I strongly advise everyone to visit the museum
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shaun Supanich
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
What a treat. This place was much more than I hoped for. It had many trains from the beginning of rail history of Zimbabwe. The highlight of the museum is Mr Rhodes personal train car from the late 1800s. If you're in town this is a must see. It is run without any help from the government so if you can afford to make a donation to help with the upkeep.
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matty Bee
Melbourne, Australia88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Wow, what a delight!

The gentleman here, Gordon, was very helpful, provided interesting history, and kindly explained things about the trains. After he showed us and took us through Cecil Rhodes' personal carriage - so sophisticated and beautiful.

Entrance fee of US$5 per person was reasonable, and very much worth it.

Note: the best part is that you can walk around, in, and on the trains and wagons - so amazing!
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael F
Winter Haven, FL151 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
This is a wonderful museum for any interested in trains, but it is much more than that. This museum really drives home how important trains were to the creation of the modern state. As you tour the museum, you get a really good picture of the last 150 years of history, from a British colony to modern Zimbabwe. I highly recommend this place.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michele B
Harare, Zimbabwe23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020 • Couples
Amazingly well maintained despite scarce resources. Really interesting history of the railways in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe including Cecil Rhodes personal carriage. Kids would love this place as you get to climb onto the trains (@ your own risk).
Written 21 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LFCKOPITE4EVER
Rancho Mirage, CA239 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
A MUST visit! Wow! Went in for a quick one and spent 3 wonderful hours. The site is extraordinary and a true journey through time. Gordon Murray is part and parcel of it all and a true 'train man' and he has done a fantastic job overseeing since retiring from the Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe railroads. Cecil Rhodes personal car is the major - that would be a trophy for any major museum - but there is far, far more... plan for at least a couple of hours with pic opportunities a aplenty...
Written 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ALAN L
Duns, UK1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
I have been to the York Railway Museum but found my recent visit to the Bulawayo Railway Museum to be more fascinating and enjoyable. Gordon who showed us around was a font of knowledge and his passion for all things railway was evident when speaking to him. The highlight was being able to go into Cecil John Rhodes personal carriage. Being able to climb onto the Garratt class and other locomotives is not something you will do at York Railway Museum.
Written 22 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jonathan C
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
A stunning place of history. We enjoyed an hour of walking in between old coaches and trains. It's fun to discover the place and learn about Zimbabwean railways history. Make sure you visit Gordon at the office and listen to some stunning stories about Bulawayo and the rest of the country. The place is definitely worth a visit and a great opportunity to support the work they're doing on preserving former times.
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

365candy
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Family
See the stately steam engines preserved and lovingly tended. Child friendly exhibits where the little ones can play at being an REAL engine driver Choo, choo! See the preserved coaches of Cecil John Rhodes and be transported to a bygone era. A must see in Bulawayo
Written 5 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EvaSK42
Frankfurt, Germany100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
Although the museum is a bit run down and many old locos and coaches are not very well preserved due to the desastrous financial and economic situation of Zimbabwe in general, which leaves no means for the museum, the museum is a must not only for railway enthusiasts. It shows a wide range of Southern Africa's railway history and keeps the technical heritage.The guide, a former employee of the Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Railways, cares excellently for the visitors and answers all their questions. Take time enough and a camera with a wide-angle lens.for your walk through the museum.
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BULAWAYO RAILWAY MUSEUM (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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