Monkeys halted Tanzania's SGR train for two hours

DODOMA, Tanzania 

The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) has apologized to the public following an electrical fault that occurred between Kilosa and Kidete Stations causing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train that was traveling from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma to stop for two hours on Tuesday, July 30.2024

TRC is the government agency tasked to manage state owned trains and railways, currently testing the electrical powered SGR train.

A statement issued by TRC earlier today, Wednesday July 31.2024, by the Head of the Communications Division of the organization, Jamila Mbarouk, has stated that preliminary reports show that the faults were caused by Monkeys and Owls that play or walk over the electric cables spread over  railway (overhead catenary system).

Jamila said that tthe interference caused power outage at power station number 7 (Godegode), which is technically known as (Instantaneous Overcurrent Protection Trip) around 04:20am.

The statement went on to explain that the TRC technicians successfully solved the challenge and restored the eelectricity two hours later then train continued its journey, arriving in Dodoma at 07:57am.

The country's social media went a buzz circulating reports of the SGR train traveling  from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma stalled midway due to power defects or engine malfunction.

Development on the Dar es Salaam to Dodoma line continues the heavy investment put into Tanzania’s rail infrastructure in recent years, with the country also recently welcoming a $200m loan from the World Bank to improve the existing rail line between the port city and Isaka.