NRZ to auction scrap wagons and passenger coaches across Zimbabwe

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has announced plans to dispose of 422 scrap wagons and several decades-old passenger coaches, located in Bulawayo, Harare, and other sites across the country. The disposal process will include various metals such as copper, steel, cast iron, and aluminium, which will be sold through a tender system that has been advertised in the media this week.

NRZ Public Relations Manager, Mr. Andrew Kunambura, confirmed that the scrap wagons and coaches are being sold because they have reached the end of their operational lifespan and are no longer commercially viable. The metals, including copper, steel, cast iron, and aluminium, will be auctioned to buyers who submit successful tenders.

Mr. Kunambura clarified that 51 decommissioned passenger coaches that were destroyed in a fire in September 2024 would not be part of the scrap sale. These coaches, which were burnt beyond repair during a fire at the Bulawayo mechanical workshop, are excluded from the disposal process. "We are not disposing of any of the decommissioned coaches that were burnt in September 2024," Kunambura said. "The reason we are selling these old wagons and coaches as scrap is because they have outlived their lifespan and can no longer be used commercially. The value of these items is now only in scrap form."

The fire that ravaged the Bulawayo mechanical workshop in September resulted in the loss of 51 passenger coaches, which were reduced to shells. The Bulawayo Fire Brigade spent over four hours extinguishing the blaze, which was suspected to have been caused by a veld fire.

The NRZ will be disposing of 346 scrap wagons located in various areas across the country, including 76 scrap coaches and cabooses in Bulawayo and Harare. In Bulawayo, 244 tonnes of ungraded steel will also be sold, along with 309 tonnes of graded steel. Five LPG tankers stationed in Zvishavane, Kadoma, Chegutu, Norton, and Harare will also be auctioned.

Other materials to be sold include 1.58 tonnes of copper from the Bulawayo main stores depot, as well as coach generators, rotors, and three tonnes of aluminium. Additionally, two tonnes of cast iron from the Bulawayo mechanical workshop will be included in the auction.

This disposal process is part of NRZ's efforts to manage and optimize its resources, ensuring that only usable and valuable property is retained for operational purposes. The tender system will allow interested parties to bid for the scrap metal and other items, providing an opportunity for NRZ to generate revenue from these decommissioned assets.