Nairobi Railway Museum, Railway museum near Central Station, Nairobi, Kenya
The Nairobi Railway Museum is a railway museum in Nairobi, Kenya, that houses a collection of steam locomotives, diesel engines, passenger coaches, and railway artifacts. The exhibits showcase the development of East African railways with numerous technical objects and vehicles from different periods.
The museum was established in 1971 by the East African Railways and Harbours Corporation and preserves objects from the Kenya-Uganda Railway construction that began in 1896. The collection documents major moments in the railway development of the region over more than a century.
The museum displays artifacts connected to the Man-Eaters of Tsavo lions and houses locomotive 301, which appeared in the film Out of Africa. These exhibits link railway history with famous stories from the region.
The museum is located about 2 kilometers south of central Nairobi and is easily accessible by public transport or taxi. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploring the grounds with outdoor exhibits and indoor halls takes time.
The museum uses active rail connections to the main station to transport exhibits and occasionally operate preserved locomotives during special events. This connection allows historic trains to be seen not just as static displays but sometimes in action.
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