Kenya’s new railway, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), has been ranked seventh in the list of the most remarkable world rail tours for 2019.
Kenya’s new 472km (293 mile) railway is the country’s biggest infrastructure investment since its independence in 1963. Built to a modern “standard gauge”, it runs parallel to the now-dilapidated metre gauge railway line from the colonial era. The SGR connects Nairobi to Mombasa and provides the link between the coast and Amboseli and Tsavo West national parks.
On Wednesday, May 31, President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the Standard Gauge Railway commuter train, which has been christened Madaraka Express. So far, the SGR has transported over 2 million passengers. The railway was constructed at a cost of Kshs 327 billion (converting to KSh560 million per kilometre). The costs were footed by a Chinese loan.
According to the Telegraph, Sweden’s Inlandsbanan ranks first, worldwide.
The railway that covers a distance of 1,067 kilometres from Mora to Gallivare links isolated Lapland settlements.
Here are the top 10 of the most remarkable rail tours for 2019
- Inlandsbanan, Sweden
- Flying Scotsman, Britain
- Bordeaux, Cognac and the Loire
- Habsburg Trail, Central Europe
- Flavours of Tuscany, Italy
- Colombo to Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- Madaraka Express, Kenya
- Grand Tour, Scotland
- Highlights of Poland
- Tangier to Marrakech
