Thanks to the Goodluck Jonathan's admnistration, the railway service that was rehabilitated is fully working and is meant for all to enjoy. Yesterday, I boarded a train enroute Portharcourt to Kano and dropped at Enugu and these were my experiences. It was actually my first time of ever using the train and all I could say is that it is purely fun and full of adventures.

First, I observed that the train was faster than many people think. We left Portharcourt by 7am and reached Enugu around 3pm, something I never thought would be possible with the Nigerian train. Well, you should know that there is no traffic jam associated with the train. Secondly, I observed that the train have many advantages over the buses like space, enough natural air, table to place your things and even read your books if you want to, and the convenience to move about as you like and with that, you will never get bored throughout the journey no matter the length of distance. Also, the train is very cost effective especially in this kind of time that fuel determines almost every move we make. In fact, the fare from Ph to Enugu is just 650 ( I mean sixty hundred and fifty naira ) and from Ph to Kaduna; 2,100.

However, there are some hitches that happened on the way before we could reach our destination and which in my thinking should warrant some improvement on the rail system. I am going to explain these hitches as I give brief details of my experiences on the way.

We set off from Portharcourt by exactly 7 am and reached at Elelenwa station before 8. But we waited there for almost one hour because another train was coming from Aba and there was only one rail for their passage. So, we had to wait until it reached the station and cleared to the side before we could pass and continue our journey. I hope the minister for transport should take note of this. Next place to stop was Imo river. Imo river was folllowed by Aba which I think looks equipped to an extent. Aba was followed by Umuoba. At umuoba shortly after the station, we exprienced another hitch;the train started crawling like a snail; the reason being that that there were grasses on the rail which needed to be gotten rid of for effective moment. This took about 20 minutes . From Umuoba, we got to Mbaosu, then Umuahia Ibeku (Nnamdi Kanu’s place- I guess), then to Uzuakoli and then to Ovim to Ozara to Afikpo to Uduma to Nomeh to Ugbawka to Agbani, then to Enugu. I think that this documentation can help some authors and statisticians.

The journey was doubly that of an experience and an eye opener. Expreientially, we came across so many trees I had never seen before. In some of the thick forests, we also saw some exotic animals but not the harmful ones though. As an eye-opener, I noticed that there were still some communities in this our country that needed more attention than others and I should use this medium to implore those involved to, please do the needful. For instance, in some of the thick forests, precisely between Afikpo and Ishiagu both of Ebonyi State, I noticed something that dazed me. I saw a very old building inside the thick forest and I was yet wondering whether it was where people used to live before the war when suddenly, we sighted children who turned out to be schoolchildren waving at us from the building. Oh my God, that was a school! And looks like a government school too. I wondered, is the government still aware that they exist?
Apart from these few hitches, the rest of the journey was smooth and enjoyable and like I noted before about free movement in the vehicle, I kept jumping from coach to coach and even coming to the door to wave at the onlookers that happily waved at us. One more thing before I forget, Enugu Railway Station is the most equipped and the most beautiful one I have seen from Ph to Enugu. Pls, let’s clap for Enugu.
Below are the pictures of the railway stations we came across on our way.

Now, let me encourage anyone that wish to travel a long distance and don't have the money that the train is a good alternative and is safer than you think. I also made few inquiries and discovered that the train moves from Portharcourt on Tuesdays by 7am and arrives Kano by Thursday Morning. It also leaves Kano that same Thursday and arrives Portharcourt by Saturday Morning. That means the movement is once in a week; this is apart from the one that shuttles between towns like Aba and Ph on daily basis though. So, if you are travelling from Enugu to Ph, just come to Enugu railway station by 3pm on Saturday and from Enugu to Kano or Lafia or Kaduna should come to Enugu railway station by 3pm on Tuesdays. Any other information about other locations would be duly communicated

pictures of ph station

pictures of elelenwa station

pictures of aba and umuahia stations

pictures of nomeh and ovim stations

pictures of ozara, Afikpo, Ugbawka and Agbani stations

pictures of Enugu stations

Nice one OP
I have traveled by all means of transportation apart from Rail (Train)
Wish to experience it soon in Nigeria.

Cool

But where is lalasticlala sef?

The land is green. .. for all the wrong reasons though

amaechi why

I have travelled by road from West to East, West to North, West to South by road. But the first time I travelled by Train From Lagos to Offa and Offa back to Lagos was the the best journey I ever embarked on. Space to charge my laptop and phone, enjoyed the air condition system, went to the Bar to take some chilled drinks though the canteen was an error. But I saw some beautiful and old town in western Nigeria, love the aroma of the green forest and enjoyed the way it bounces as it moves on it tracks also met some cool people on the train. Still planning to go on another journey through railway again

This same feeling is what those thieves called senator want to deny the south south and some blocked heads are standing behind them just because of the hatred they got for PMB

Op Thank God say no be local village you dey,if na my city/town/hamlet/farmstead i am managing here,them go look person like somebody high on weed when taking selfie/photo

goodluck nah boss...

Nice....

Wow. A year after and wat we r still enjoyin are the legacies of d last administration regarded as corrupt yet d current govt of saints hv nt started layin any foundation for its own legacies or.....maybe we ll hv 2 wait till 2018. Yeye govt

Nice

So people spend two whole days in a train from ph to kano. I think road is faster by the way, I didn't see any fine girl in the train to keep company. That's why I love chisco luxurious buses. Fine girls everywhere including the ones that board attachment and are ready to sit on your laps

Stations overgrown with weeds

U get mind o...where are the pictures?

May God bless Jonathan.

Awwww!!
Will be shuttling between Enugu and Port Harcourt frequently from now till end of the year, I could try this out and have a feeling of what it's like

@Op, you've got a smooth way with words. Oh!! Least I forget, you look cute

Thanks for this wonderful thread, I do wonder sometimes if the rail transport system was left to fate after Buhari took over.

I am happy to note that it's still active, pls minister of TP put eye there for maintenance and development. How train go wait make another go park before one continues the journey, No Na!! for this 21st century!! Giant of Africa please this country should more..

Obj tried wella for not improving our railway transport system, upon 8years we give am

Perfect thread for a hot afternoon

Nigeria improving

Dinocarex:
Nice one OP
I have traveled by all means of transportation apart from Rail (Train)
Wish to experience it soon in Nigeria.

How was Edo airways

chizidgreat:


First, I observed that the train was faster than many people think. We left Portharcourt by 7am and reached Enugu around 3pm , something I never thought would be possible with the Nigerian train. Well, you should know that there is no traffic jam associated with the train.

8 hrs?

You spent 8 hours from Port Harcourt to Enugu and you call that fast? How many days did it take you to reach Kano?