CFB Lobito–Luau Express

Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB)
Angola
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The Journey

Navigate from Lobito Station to Luau Station across a span of 1344km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Lobito Atlantic coastal approaches and port views
  • Dramatic coastal escarpment ascent from sea level to 1,854m plateau
  • Huambo central plateau historic railway town
  • Eastern Angolan highland savanna and river crossings
  • Luau border town and DRC border approaches
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    30 hours

  • Distance

    1344 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable (AOA 5,000–15,000 depending on class)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

C30ACi GE Transportation diesel-electric locomotives (10 in passenger service; 35 total ordered 2016–2019); CKD8F CNR Dalian locomotives (limited serviceability)

Locomotive Weight

120–180 tonnes (typical heavy freight/passenger diesel-electric)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge

Braking Technology

Air brake system (standard for Cape gauge operations)

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 1,344 km single-track Cape gauge operation with passing loops at major stations

  • Coastal to plateau elevation gain from sea level to 1,854m at highest point

  • 67 stations and 42 bridges requiring ongoing maintenance across diverse terrain

  • Historic 1905–1929 construction alignment through mountainous and remote sections

  • Rehabilitation completed 2006–2014 by China Railway Construction Corporation at cost of $1.83 billion

Route length

1,344 km (Angola Lobito–Luau section)

Total corridor

1,866 km to Tenke, DRC (connects to Cape to Cairo Railway)

Opened

1905 (construction); 1929 (Luau border completion); 2015 (full rehabilitation inauguration)

Status

Operational — weekly passenger service Lobito–Luau

Operating speed

Up to 90 km/h design speed; actual journey ~45 km/h average

Highest elevation

1,854 m (6,082 ft)

Stations

67 stations along the Angola corridor

Bridges

42 bridges along the route

Operator (passenger)

Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB / Empresa do Caminho de Ferro de Benguela-E.P.)

Operator (freight corridor)

Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) consortium since 2024 — handles copperbelt mineral exports

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    30 hours

  • Distance

    1344 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable (AOA 5,000–15,000 depending on class)

Official Booking Provider