Trans-Namib Transport Museum | Windhoek

The Trans-Namib Transport Museum is a specialized historical repository located within the first floor of the Windhoek Railway Station on Bahnhof Street. It is situated on the northern edge of the central business district, serving as the primary site for documenting the country’s rail, maritime, and aeronautical history.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a Cape Dutch-style station building constructed of brick and plaster, featuring large arched windows and a distinctive gabled roofline. The interior contains organized exhibition rooms with high ceilings and wooden flooring, displaying smaller artifacts in glass vitrines. Outside, the platform and northern yard function as an open-air gallery for large-scale heavy machinery, including steam and diesel locomotives.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located at the intersection of Bahnhof Street and Independence Avenue. Access is via the main station entrance; visitors must proceed through the concourse and up a staircase to reach the museum galleries. Limited street parking is available on Bahnhof Street, and the museum is a major stop for city taxis and intercity trains. It is approximately 0.5km north of the central shopping district.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The station building was designed by the German state railways and completed in 1912, with a northern wing added in 1929 by the South African administration to match the original style. The museum was officially inaugurated on July 1, 1993, to preserve the technological heritage of the Trans-Namib parastatal.

Key Highlights & Activities

The outdoor display features "Poor Old Joe," a 19th-century German locomotive (Zwillinge No. 154A) shipped to Swakopmund in 1899. Interior exhibits include original dining car cutlery, telecommunications equipment, and historical maps. Visitors can perform self-guided tours of the galleries or engage with the on-site curator for technical descriptions of the railway apparatus.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum provides basic public restrooms within the station complex. There is no on-site cafe, but the Thuringer Hof hotel and several restaurants are located within 200 meters. The station has reliable 4G/5G cellular coverage. Shade is available under the station’s platform canopies and within the thick-walled historic building.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is typically open Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. Morning visits (09:00–11:00) provide the best light for photographing the outdoor locomotives without harsh shadows. The dry winter months (May to September) are ideal for exploring the outdoor yard.

Facts & Legends

A specific "secret" tip is the altitude sign at the entrance, which notes the station sits at 1,652 meters above sea level. A verified historical oddity is the display of an armored rail car used during the South African administration for track security. A local myth suggests that the station building is haunted by the ghosts of early railway engineers, though this remains unverified lore.

Nearby Landmarks

Kudu Statue – 0.4km South

Turnhalle – 0.3km East

National Art Gallery of Namibia – 0.6km Southeast

Zoo Park – 0.7km South

Owela Museum – 0.8km Southeast