Railroad Line to Kenema

photo © by Chad Finer

The narrow gauge railway between Freetown and Pendembu was an alternative to public transport for us but it was very slow. We did take it back to Kenema (a distance of about 200 miles) on one occasion after a trip to Freetown to see the Peace Corps doctor and get our update gamma-globulin shots. I remember the trip taking about 12 hours or more. It was not crowded but never-the-less it was so time-consuming that we only took it on this one occasion. There were no amenities on the train, and the seats were somewhat uncomfortable. It was hot. But the scenery was different and thus interesting. It certainly was less hazardous then the roads, and much less of a hassle. 

Date: December 1968