Chinese built type CK6 shunter locomotive of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority TAZARA. TAZARA is a Cape gauge 1067 mm railway system with a 1864 km long main line from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi. Due to the Cape gauge rails, in principle TAZARA's wagons can roll into all the southern African railway systems. Tanzania has also a separate 1000 mm railway network and there is a reloading station at Kidatu.
Since February 2016 there are two trains per week operating passenger services throughout the whole TAZARA network. The new Express train departs Fridays from Dar es Salaam and Tuesdays from New Kapiri Mposhi.
These CK6 shunter engines were built by CSR Chengdu in China. The locomotive is diesel-hydraulic with a power rating of 977 kW and 80 tons adhesive weight, BoBo wheel arrangement and 65 km/h top service speed. It is suitable for shunting and transfer services only.
Picture from Dar es Salaam 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

Same CK6 shunter as in the picture above, making ready a short suburban service train at Dar es Salaam station.
Picture 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

Local suburban service coaches at Dar es Salaam station.
Picture 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

These are Chinese SDD20 diesel locomotives, the newest that TAZARA has.
Picture in Dar es Salaam 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

An express train with two Chinese SDD20 locomotives is stopping and delivering mail in Dar es Salaam, close to the airport.
Picture 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

This is a Chinese type SDD20 built by CSR Qishuyan in China. They are the newest locomotives of TAZARA. Six were delivered in 2012-2013 and six more were ordered the following year. Initially there were some "children's diseases", but reportedly the machines perform satisfactorily right now. However, this machine, which was together with another similar machine hauling a long express train from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi broke down and had to be taken out of the train composition and left behind. The train continued with just one locomotive.
The SDD20 is a 3000 horsepower locomotive. Its axle load is 20 tons. It is equipped with a 7FDL Chinese 12 cylinder diesel engine with electronic fuel injection, type 5GTA43A main alternator, 5GE761A23 traction motor, and narrow gauge radial bogies with three axles each.
Picture from Rujewa 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

After leaving one of the Chinese SDD20 locomotives behind, the express train has just reached the station of Mbeya and locals are climbing into the mail coach to get fresh mail and newspapers.
Picture from Mbeya 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

From a cafeteria coach of a TAZARA express train.
Picture 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

Sleeping coach of a TAZARA express train.
Picture 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

A long TAZARA express train on its way from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi, photographed here in a bend between the stations of Kitandililo and Makambako.
Picture 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

Finnish tourists have just arrived with the TAZARA express train to the Makambako station.
Picture 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

Rail trucks built by Schöma of Germany. These are used in track maintenance works.
Picture in Dar es Salaam 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

A similar Schöma rail truck in a closeup view.
Picture from Mbeya station 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

Yet another Schöma rail truck.
Picture from Mbeya station 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

An old railbus. Apparently it had been used in the 1970s when the TAZARA network was built, but now it has just been left to rust.
Picture in Dar es Salaam 26.1.2018 by Markku Salo.

A brand new Chinese HMT224 rail inspection vehicle, which can also be used for transporting workers.
Picture in Mbeya 27.1.2018 by Markku Salo.