[DSY011]

The Chinese built a line between Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia to Dar es Salaam in Tanzanian. This was because the only way for Zambia to get its exports of copper out was through Rhodesia. Zambia did not want to deal with, or pay Ian Smiths railways. So they let the Chinese build the line through to Dar es Salaam. Zambia had been using road transport to import and export its goods, but the roads were so bad and the number of accidents and breakdowns were very high. Also there were long distances between towns and very few garages, and even less spare parts for the trucks. The reward for the Chinese was Zambian copper and other minerals. The line worked well until the locos started to break down and derailments caused long delays. As the line was single line working, and no place to pass an accident or breakdown between crossing loops. By then the Chinese were having problems with the Zambian Government with their unsafe mine working practices. The Zambians then renationalized the mines. After that the Chinese stopped helping the railway which is now in a very poor state.