La Gazelle (Congo–Ocean)

Chemin de fer Congo-Océan (CFCO)
Republic of the Congo
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The Journey

Navigate from Brazzaville Station to Pointe-Noire Station across a span of 502km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Mayombe Mountain Range climbs
  • Deep equatorial jungle
  • Congo River rapids corridors
  • Loudima River gorge
  • Dense forest canopy
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    15 hours

  • Distance

    502 km

  • Est. Price

    Mid-range

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) diesel locomotives (10 units acquired 2015)

Locomotive Weight

~120 tonnes (EMD diesel)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (Cape gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brake system (standard freight/passenger)

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 502km single-track Cape gauge through dense jungle

  • Mayombe mountain range grades requiring restrictive 40 km/h speed limits

  • Tropical climate track degradation

  • Limited passing loops extending journey time

  • River crossings on Congo and Loudima rivers

Line length

502 km

Opened

1934

Status

Operational (La Gazelle service resumed April 2023)

Rolling stock

Korean-built air-conditioned coaches (2012)

Journey time

14–16 hours

Speed limit

40 km/h (jungle track)

Operator

CFCO (Chemin de fer Congo-Océan)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    15 hours

  • Distance

    502 km

  • Est. Price

    Mid-range

Official Booking Provider