Bauchi Light Railway Explained

The Bauchi Light Railway was a narrow gauge railway built in 1914 to carry tin from Jos in Nigeria to the main line railway at Zaria.^[1]

History

The railway opened in sections 1912–1914, Jos-Bukuru (16abbr=onNaNabbr=on) was widened to narrow gauge in 1927, while the remainder closed 30 Sep 1957.^[2] The track, locomotives and rolling stock from the Wushishi Tramway were used to build and operate the line.^[3] Zaria is located to the north of Jos and the light railway was later rebuilt with a shorter connection to the main gauge railway to the south. It also connected Bukuru. The line was 184km (114miles) long.^[4]

Details

Rolling stock was equipped with ABC couplers.^[5]

Two of the locomotives are preserved under cover with some carriages.^[6]

See also

• Railway stations in Nigeria
• Rail transport in Nigeria

External links

• BLR Locomotives 4 and 58 - scroll down
• Automatic Buffer Coupler
• Partial closure
• Village Square

Notes and References

1. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/306282/Jos EB
2. Durrant, A.E., A.A. Jorgensen, C.P. Lewis. Steam in Africa, London, 1981, Hamlyn.
3. Moore, G. S. (1964) Narrow Gauge in Nigeria, The Railway Magazine, July pp. 578 – 581.
4. http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r130.html Mikes Rail History
5. Web site: ABC Couplers . 2008-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090521124013/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Trains/ABC/ABC01.htm . 2009-05-21 . dead .
6. Web site: Nigerian Railway Corporation - Locomotives . 2008-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080623035448/http://www.topforge.co.uk/Photographs/NRC.htm . 2008-06-23 . dead .