This is our first cache in a series planned to highlight monuments and buildings in Windhoek, some well known and some off the beaten track.
Update Oct 2021: the cache is in a new place (in case you looked for it before)
This cache takes you to the Windhoek Railway station.
A narrow-gauge locomotive (gauge 600 mm) has been mounted on stand in front of the station after running between Swakopmund and Otavi from 1904 to 1939. The engine was built in Germany in 1903 and assembled in Swakopmund. In front of the station are many locomotives and trolley cars. These are often used in photoshoots or as educational exhibits.
The station was built in a Cape Dutch-style and is located on Bahnhof St. An additional northern wing was constructed by South African Railways in 1929 to match the existing style of the building.
The station also houses the small Trans-Namib Transport Museum which outlines Namibian transport history, particularly that of the railway. Opened on July 1st 1993, the exhibition consists of a wide range of railway equipment, maps and related items which date back to German colonial times. You can also see the crockery and cutlery used in the dining cars of South African Railways in Namibia along with telecommunication and electrical equipment. The Museum is open Mo-Fr from 8h00-13h00 and 14h00-17h00, entry fee of N$5.00 is charged.
Source: Wikipedia and Transnamib Brochure
For the cache, look out for the South African Railways 32·001 diesel eletric locomotive.
Please always be safety concious when caching in Windhoek and walking around town. Stealth may be required.
Owambo Campaign Memorial (near railway station)
This memorial near the railway station was erected by members of the South African Army in memory of their comrades killed on the 6th of February, 1917 near Ehole (Oihole) in a battle against uprising of King Mandume Ndemufayo of Kwanjama.The entrance to the small park may be locked, but perhaps you will catch a peek through the fence.
Close to the cache is also the Ludgwig Barella Haus, see GC3Q1NZ and the Enke Haus, a historical building, now housing a pharmacy.