Last modified: 2014-03-08 by bruce berry
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The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is a parastatal body which is based in
Bulawayo. The majority of the Zimbabwean railway system was constructed during
the initial colonization of the country, with the first railway line reaching Bulawayo in 1897 from
South Africa, via Bechuanaland (now Botswana). Subsequent
lines were constructed to link the country to Beira in Mozambique (1900) and
northwards over the Victoria Falls as part of the "Cape to Cairo" railway vision
in 1904. The line between Bulawayo and Salisbury (now Harare) was completed in
1902. Three quarters of the present railway system was built in less than 10
years.
Prior to 1980 the company was called the Rhodesia Railways (RR). The RR was
formed as a statutory body in 1947 when the former Rhodesia Railways Company was
purchased by the Government of Southern Rhodesia. RR was responsible for railway
lines in both Southern and Northern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and Zambia
respectively. Although Zambia gained independence in 1964, it was not until 1967
that Rhodesia Railways surrendered the 1,300 km of railway line in that country
and 80–90 locomotives to Zambia Railways.
Bruce Berry, 03 Feb 2014
The flag used by the NRZ has the Zimbabwe national colours of green, yellow, red,
black and white in equal vertical stripes at the hoist. The fly is blue with the
letters NRZ in yellow, fimbriated in black, in the centre.
The emblem of the NRZ is three rail-sections turned 120° between each other
between the national colours of Zimbabwe which is displayed on its locomotives
and carriages.
Bruce Berry, 03 Feb 2014
Image sent by Bruce Berry, 03 Feb 2014
I cannot find any evidence of a flag that was used by the former Rhodesia
Railways (RR). However, the emblem of RR was displayed on its carriages. The emblem
comprised the coat of arms of the company surrounded by a stylised leather strap
(belt) emblazoned with the words RHODESIA RAILWAYS.
Bruce Berry, 03 Feb 2014