The first railway line in present day Cameroon was opened in 1902, when the country was a German protectorate. The 43-kilometer line connected the towns of Limbe and Soppo. It was an industrial line with a gauge of 600 mm, operated by Westafrikanische Pflanzungsgesellschaft Victoria. According to the Wikipedia there were passenger trains also and the line was later extended.
Last updated: 29.01.2024
The second railway, also known as the Northern Railway, was built between 1906 and 1911 from Bonabéri to Nkongsamba (160 km).
In the period 1910-1914 third railway line was build in present day Cameroon from the port of Douala to Eséka, also known as a Central Railway. The section of the line was partially rerouted between 1975 and 1983.
In 1987 the railway line Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré (622 km), known as Trans-Cameroon Railway was inaugurated.
Train travel in Cameroon – current situation
Both passenger and freight trains in Cameroon are operated by Camrail, a subsidiary of Bolloré Africa Logistics.
There are passenger trains on following routes:
Kumba – Mbanga (diesel multiple unit, 2nd class only)
Douala – Yaoundé (express train, ordinary train and diesel multiple unit)
Belabo- N’déré (diesel multiple unit, 2nd class only)
There is also an overnight train from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré. Train stops only at main stations: Obala, Batchenga, Mbandjock, Tabene, Nanga Eboko, Ouassa Mbamvele, Mengue Bibey, Mbargue, Belabo, Goyoum, Elephant Head, Mbitom, Pangar, Ngaoundal, Makor, Bawa. You can choose couchette cars with compartments for 2 or 4 people or open plan seat cars. There is a buffet car also. Tickets are quite expensive.
Passenger trains Otele – Mbalmayo and Mbanga – Nkongsamba were suspended.
Camrail official website – timetable and prices
Map of railway network in Cameroon (Wikipedia)
International trains
Cameroon has no links to railway in adjacent countries and there are no international trains. There were plans to construction of a standard gauge railway line to Chad.
See also:
