The Sierra Leone National Railway Museum (SLNRM) had started discussing ideas for celebrating the various anniversaries due to take place in 2025 back in October 2024 and discussions had continued remotely in the intervening period. A range of activities were planned, starting with the UK-led ‘Whistle Up’ on 1st January 2025.
Friends of the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum trustee William Bickers-Jones had alerted us to a series on YouTube, following Dutch motor biker Noraly Schoenmaker aka ‘Itchy Boots’ on her ride through West Africa a couple of years ago.
I shared the link to the series with SLNRM Education & Outreach Officer Patrick Jibao Massaquoi, who enjoyed watching it so much that he decided that, as part of Railway 200, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the museum and the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Sierra Leone Railway, he would do a motor bike ride from Pendembu to Freetown, calling at railway sites along the way and talking to people who remembered the railway in operation. I have to admit to having been a little sceptical at the time, as Patrick was nursing a set of broken ribs following a fall from his bike in Freetown in October 2024. However, he was adamant, and what an amazing journey it turned out to be!
The journey covered a total of 765 kilometres over three days to retrace the historic railway route, serving as both a tribute to the railway’s legacy and an opportunity to connect with former railway workers.
According to Patrick J Massaquoi, the primary objective of the ride was to celebrate former Sierra Leone Railway workers and the historical significance of the former railway stations along the main line of the Sierra Leone Railway from Freetown to Pendembu. Commemorative medals were presented to former railwaymen, or posthumously to their families, and interviews were recorded in order to preserve oral testimonies about the operation of the Sierra Leone Railway.
He left home before daybreak, at 06.45 on Saturday 8th March to ride to Jui Junction to meet with his photographer, Alie Kargbo, who had chartered a motor bike and rider to take him to Pendembu alongside Patrick.
They arrived safely at Moyamba Junction in time for an early lunch, and sent photographs from the Moa River Bridge at Daru at 14.45, arriving in Pendembu, the eastern terminus of the Sierra Leone Railway, 227.5 railway miles from Freetown in the late afternoon.
In the early evening, Patrick and Alie made a visit to the Palmer family, of Pendembu.
Mr Henry Palmer was a mechanical fitter, trained at the National Railway Workshops in Cline Town and moved to Pendembu as a diesel mechanic, when the diesel locomotives were introduced to Sierra Leone in the mid-1950s. Now in his 90s, Mr Palmer reminisced about the railway and introduced his son Toma, who had been his engineering apprentice at the Pendembu workshop.
On receiving his medal Mr Palmer said: “Today, as I receive this medal of appreciation, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. The Sierra Leone National Railway has been a significant part of my life, shaping not only my career but also my identity. I dedicated years of service to this railway, witnessing its triumphs and challenges. This medal is not just a recognition of my efforts; it symbolizes the collective dedication and resilience of all who served in the Sierra Leone Railway institution. I accept it on behalf of my fellow workers, past and present, who have contributed to the legacy of the railway. May we continue to honour this heritage and inspire future generations.”
The following day, Patrick and Alie set off early in the morning once again, following the route of the Sierra Leone Railway to Segbwema, where the old water tank can still be seen. En route they discovered a station at Serabu that we had not previously seen on the map.
They passed through Hangha and Kenema and continued on to Sierra Leone’s second city, Bo, where they visited Bo School. The school was situated very close to the railway line and many of the boys travelled to school by train, the price of the season ticket being included in the school fees.
Many old railway buildings are now within the school compound and still in use by the school. The Principal is the son of a railwayman and was pleased to accept a commemorative medallion on behalf of his late father.
After spending the night in Bo our intrepid bikers continued their journey, crossing the Taia River Bridge and stopping at Patrick’s home town of Mano and then heading westwards once more across the former railway bridge over the Yambatui River to Moyamba, where they paid a visit to Harford School for Girls.
They spent their last night on the trail in Bauya, where Alie took some wonderful aerial photographs which show the layout of the station and the railway quarters as well as some close ups of many of the relics there.
In Bauya, Paramount Chief Alfred Saidu Ndomawa Banya II, Kongbora Chiefdom Moyamba District told Patrick: “I am deeply honoured to stand before you today as the Paramount Chief of Kongbora Chiefdom, Moyamba District, and to express my heartfelt gratitude for the award of the appreciation medal in recognition of my role and efforts in the protection of railway relics within my chiefdom. This recognition is not only a significant personal honour but also a testament to the collective efforts of my Chiefdom stakeholders in preserving our rich heritage.
The railway relics that grace our land are not merely remnants of the past; they are invaluable symbols of our history, culture, and the resilience of our people. They tell the story of our journey, our struggles, and our triumphs. It is imperative that we safeguard these relics, not only for ourselves but for future generations who will look back and learn from the lessons embedded in our history. By protecting these sites, we affirm our commitment to nurturing our cultural identity and fostering a sense of pride among our youth. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all those who have supported this initiative including and not limited to: community leaders, family members, chiefdom organisations and each member of the Kongbora Chiefdom. Your unwavering dedication and passion for our heritage have made this achievement possible. Together, we have demonstrated that when a community unites for a common cause, we can achieve remarkable things.
As we move forward, let us continue to work hand in hand to protect our cultural treasures and ensure that they remain a source of inspiration and education for generations to come. This medal is not just a recognition of my efforts; it is a celebration of our shared commitment to preserving the legacy of our ancestors. Thank you once again for this esteemed honour. Let us carry the torch of heritage preservation high and continue to shine a light on the rich history of Kongbora Chiefdom.”
The ride was carried out not only as a tribute to the railway’s rich heritage but also to foster community engagement and awareness about the importance of preserving our railway history. Awareness raising sessions were carried out with members of the Railway Heritage School clubs at Harford Secondary School for Girls in Moyamba and St Peters Junior Secondary School in Bauya about the importance of preserving local history, fostering a sense of pride in their cultural heritage, and encouraging future generations to appreciate and learn from the past.
The bike ride was most successful in its objectives, and represents only the beginning of the SLNRM’s mission to preserve and celebrate the country’s railway heritage. Further outreach programmes are planned across the country, over the remainder of 2025.
