Dark, dirty and slow, Zimbabwe's trains, like much else in the impoverished southern African country, have seen better days.
Once the preferred mode of transport for most Zimbabweans, the state-run rail service mirrors the decline in the country's economic fortunes during the last two decades under the leadership of former President Robert Mugabe.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Gilbert Mthinzima Ndlovu (right) chats to his colleague in a carriage during an overnight train journey from Harare to Bulawayo.
Gilbert Mthinzima Ndlovu, a veteran of Zimbabwe's 1970s independence war and a security guard at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) for 35 years, yearns for the old days when trains were full and arrived on time.
"Times are different now as we have few passengers," the off-duty Ndlovu told Reuters as he rested in a badly lit first class cabin during the journey from the capital Harare to his home in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city.
. Gweru, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
People wait for a sleeper train to depart near the town of Gweru.
Now the 10-hour journey can take 16 hours, he said.
Not surprising, then, that many Zimbaweans prefer to make the 440 km (273 mile) journey by bus or public taxi than have to endure a cold overnight train ride - even if at $10 the train ride costs only half as much.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A train inspector speaks to passengers on a sleeper train traveling from Harare to Bulawayo.
The train carriages often lack lighting and water, and the toilets are filthy. The signalling and information systems are often vandalised and some tracks overgrown with grass and weeds because they have not been used in years.
NRZ is now trying to improve its fortunes.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
An abandoned train carriage in Harare.
Last year South African logistics group Transnet won a $400 million joint bid to recapitalise NRZ and fix some of the problems, including acquiring and refurbishing carriages.
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Slideshow
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Train carriages are parked at a train station in Harare.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A train schedule is written on a chalk board at a train station in Harare.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Passengers arrive to board a sleeper train at a station in Harare.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A passenger walks past a sleeper train at a station in Harare.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Passengers are seen ahead of an overnight train journey at a train station in Harare.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A passenger travels on a sleeper train from Harare to Bulawayo.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Commuters in a sleeper train traveling from Harare to Bulawayo.
. Marondera, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
People sit on a platform at a train station in Marondera.
. Marondera, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Station master's office is seen at Marondera station.
. Harare, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A train carrying passengers and goods travels from Harare to Bulawayo.
. Gweru, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
People stand next to rail track as they watch a sleeper train traveling from Harare to Bulawayo pass by.
. Gweru, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Commuters stand on a platform during a brief stop of a sleeper train traveling from Harare to Bulawayo, near the town of Gweru.
. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A train mechanic sleeps at a platform after an overnight train journey from Harare, in Bulawayo.
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But for now passengers have to make do with a broken train service.
"Today you can't even buy food from the train and all the coaches are filthy, with no water and the lights are not working," said one passenger who declined to give his name.