Overview:

: Francistown Railway Station is located on the eastern side of Francistown, the second largest city in the Republic of Botswana. Located in the North East District, it is the largest station in the country and is a major hub of transportation for the region. The station serves as the most popular means of intercity rail travel in the country and offers daily services to cities such as Gaborone, Palapye, Serowe, and Selebi-Phikwe. The station has continuously operated and served the transport needs of travelers and goods for over a century. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Botswana
Prominent Features:

1. Built in 1898: The Francistown Railway Station in Botswana was built in 1898, making it one of the oldest railway stations in the country. 2. Historical Importance: The station is important as it was one of the first railway stations in Botswana and serves as an important link between Francistown and Johannesburg, South Africa. 3. Location: The station is located in Francistown in the North Eastern part of Botswana. It is located south of the Limpopo River. 4. Facilities: The station has facilities such as a ticketing office, a waiting room, and a cargo area. 5. Service offerings: The station offers services such as freight services, passenger services, and regular train services to Johannesburg. 6. Connectivity: The station has excellent connectivity to other major cities and towns in Botswana, as well as other rail links in Southern Africa. This national monument of Botswana portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Francistown Railway Station is located in the second-largest city in Botswana, in the North-Eastern part of the country. It was established in 1885 on the site of the former Hamilton's Drift, an outspan and trading post which was founded by Alexander Hamilton in the early 19th century. The railway station was built to provide a connection between Francistown and the railhead at Bulawayo in South Africa, which had been in existence since 1894. The railway station was designed by an Italian, Major P. Tirelli. In 1902, it became the site of the first public railway station in Botswana when, in an effort to spur economic development, the colonial British authorities opened it up to the public. This allowed for goods and people to travel between Francistown and the larger cities of Bulawayo and Johannesburg. Eventually, the railway station in Francistown was expanded and modernized, with diesel locomotives replacing older ones in the mid-20th century. It was also connected to the rest of the country by rail, and passenger service to other towns and cities made it accessible from even more parts of Botswana. Today, Francistown Railway Station is still a busy rail centre and a popular stop off for travelers. It remains popular as a transport hub, with regular trains going to and from Bulawayo and Johannesburg. It also provides a link to other parts of Botswana via local lines through Gaborone and Maun. You must visit one of these historical places in Botswana on your Botswana tour

Interesting facts:

1. Francistown Railway Station is the second largest railway station in Botswana after Lobatse Railway Station. 2. The station has been in operation since 1922 and has seen considerable expansion over the years. 3. In the late 1960s a new import-export yard was built adjacent to the old station. 4. The railway line between Francistown and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe is the longest railway line in the whole of Southern Africa. 5. The station has several amenities including ticket offices, a canteen, a waiting room and a travel agents. 6. There are two locomotives housed at the station for use in freight and passenger transport. 7. The station also has a modern air-conditioned tourist lounge which includes Wi-Fi access, television and vending machines. 8. It is served by five different lines including the Francistown-Lobatse, Francistown-Gaborone, Francistown-Tati, Francistown-Kazungula and Francistown-Zambezi Lines. 9. It is one of the few railway stations in Botswana where goods can be loaded and unloaded due to the yard nearby. Visit one of the famous monuments of Botswana with your friends and family.