La Gazelle (Congo–Ocean Express)

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 climb (steepest 40 km/h grades)
  • Dense equatorial rainforest canopy with mahoganies, okoumé, and limba
  • Congo River approach views west of Brazzaville
  • Loudima River gorge crossing
  • Niari Valley tobacco and cassava farmland near Dolisie
  • Coastal savanna transition approaching Pointe-Noire
  • Sunset over the Atlantic horizon on the final hour
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    15 hours

  • Distance

    502 km

  • Est. Price

    Mid-range

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None (restaurant car available)

Ensuite: No

Meals: None (restaurant car available)

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) diesel locomotives (10 units acquired 2015) with planned CRRC replacement during 2026–2030 rehabilitation

Locomotive Weight

~120 tonnes (EMD diesel)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (Cape gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brake system (standard freight/passenger)

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 502 km single-track Cape gauge through dense jungle with limited passing loops

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

  • Tropical climate track degradation — heavy rainfall 1,500–2,000 mm/year causing washouts and ballast erosion

  • Limited passing loops extending journey time and forcing strict single-direction scheduling

  • River crossings on Congo and Loudima rivers with aging steel truss bridges

  • Right-of-way vegetation overgrowth between weekly train passages

  • Rehabilitation works 2026–2030 requiring phased line closures and reduced frequencies

Line length

502 km

Opened

1934 (relaunched as La Gazelle brand April 2023 after full suspension 2011)

Status

Operational — reduced weekly schedule during 2026–2030 Chinese-funded rehabilitation

Rolling stock

Korean-built air-conditioned Hyundai Rotem coaches (2012); EMD diesel locomotives

Journey time

14–16 hours (one overnight)

Speed limit

40 km/h (jungle track); 25 km/h on Mayombe mountain grades

Operator

CFCO (Chemin de fer Congo-Océan) — state-owned

Rehabilitation partner

CRRC Corporation + China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC)

Rehabilitation budget

USD $595 million (announced February 2026)

Currency

XAF (CFA franc, pegged to EUR at 655.957:1)

Booking lead time

3–7 days recommended (limited capacity per weekly departure)

Languages onboard

French, Kituba, Lingala

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    15 hours

  • Distance

    502 km

  • Est. Price

    Mid-range

Official Booking Provider