Geoff Cooke - Your host
Born in London, England, Geoff grew up in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). His first job was on
the South African Railways. Recounting the year spent there has amused many groups in
the lounges of innumerable special trains. Returning to Rhodesia, railways became a
hobby when he started a company to give technical support to theatre, film and
television. Hair-raising experiences whilst engineering political rallies and rock concerts in
African football stadiums added another chapter to a life that has been far from mundane.
His railway interests resurfaced when he researched a television series to promote
tourism to the newly independent Zimbabwe. He concluded that it would be great to
feature a steam tourist train that ran from the historic City of Bulawayo to Victoria Falls
via the great Hwange Game Reserve. The train did not exist, so Geoff persuaded the
railway that the idea would work and in 1986 the first privately owned safari train in the
world was launched.
The train, called the Train de Luxe, compared with the finest in the world. It was always
great fun, particularly when Geoff or his wife, Sheelagh, managed the tours themselves.
the South African Railways. Recounting the year spent there has amused many groups in
the lounges of innumerable special trains. Returning to Rhodesia, railways became a
hobby when he started a company to give technical support to theatre, film and
television. Hair-raising experiences whilst engineering political rallies and rock concerts in
African football stadiums added another chapter to a life that has been far from mundane.
His railway interests resurfaced when he researched a television series to promote
tourism to the newly independent Zimbabwe. He concluded that it would be great to
feature a steam tourist train that ran from the historic City of Bulawayo to Victoria Falls
via the great Hwange Game Reserve. The train did not exist, so Geoff persuaded the
railway that the idea would work and in 1986 the first privately owned safari train in the
world was launched.
The train, called the Train de Luxe, compared with the finest in the world. It was always
great fun, particularly when Geoff or his wife, Sheelagh, managed the tours themselves.
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| Geoff at the Welsh Highland Railway |
In 1999 the train was sold. Geoff once more wanted to do new things which, of course, included the railway. He organised a
Steam Railway Festival and started hosting groups visiting southern Africa. Recognised as one of Africa's leading authorities in
tourist train operations, Geoff has travelled on most of the continent's tourist trains, as well as many that are not so famous.
Steam Railway Festival and started hosting groups visiting southern Africa. Recognised as one of Africa's leading authorities in
tourist train operations, Geoff has travelled on most of the continent's tourist trains, as well as many that are not so famous.
| Geoff's Trains 69 Pitt Street, Kidderminster Worcestershire, DY10 2UN, England Phone & Fax: 44 (0)1562632000 |
Geoff and his wife, Sheelagh, now live in Kidderminster, where they
can hear the steam whistles on the Severn Valley Railway from their
garden. From here, Geoff pursues his interest in trains around the
world.
Once Africa is in your blood, it never leaves. Geoff continues to
plan and host tours to southern Africa, as well as other destinations.
Working with a number of rail-tour operators, he has hosted tours to
Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, South Africa and, of
course, Zimbabwe.
Geoff also continues to support railway preservation in Zimbabwe
by serving on the committee of the Friends of the Bulawayo
Railway Museum, and hosting their web pages. The Great Little
Trains of Wales have also become part of his life, and he is a founder
and past Chairman of WAG, the Welshpool Area support Group of
the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway.
can hear the steam whistles on the Severn Valley Railway from their
garden. From here, Geoff pursues his interest in trains around the
world.
Once Africa is in your blood, it never leaves. Geoff continues to
plan and host tours to southern Africa, as well as other destinations.
Working with a number of rail-tour operators, he has hosted tours to
Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, South Africa and, of
course, Zimbabwe.
Geoff also continues to support railway preservation in Zimbabwe
by serving on the committee of the Friends of the Bulawayo
Railway Museum, and hosting their web pages. The Great Little
Trains of Wales have also become part of his life, and he is a founder
and past Chairman of WAG, the Welshpool Area support Group of
the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway.
| Class 15A Garratt with the Train de Luxe |