Geoff Cooke - Your host
| Geoff at the Welsh Highland Railway |
| The Train de Luxe thunders through Zimbabwe |
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Born in London, England, Geoff Cooke grew up in Bulawayo, the second city of Rhodesia
(Zimbabwe). His first job was on the South African Railways where he worked as a clerk in
Natal. Recounting the year spent there has amused many groups in the lounges of
innumerable special trains. Returning to Rhodesia, Geoff installed microwave radio systems
across the country, often built on the top of hills in areas of outstanding scenic beauty that
entrenched an interest in photography.
An interest in theatre lighting precipitated a career move when Geoff started a company to
give technical support to theatre, film and television. Hair-raising experiences whilst working
on 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 when 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 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, competed with the finest
in the world. It was always great fun, particularly when Geoff or his wife, Sheelagh, managed
the tours themselves.
In 1999 Sheelagh and Geoff sold the train. Geoff once more wanted to do new things which,
of course, included the railway. He organised a steam railway festival called Zimfest and
started hosting group visits to 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 and Sheelagh Cooke now live in Kidderminster where they can hear the steam whistles
on the Severn Valley Railway from their garden. From there, Geoff pursues his interest in
trains around the world. Once Africa is in your blood, it never leaves and 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's Trains Limited is owned and operated by Geoff Cooke. One of the few full time
specialist rail tour operators who share their passion for railways and knowledge of tourism
to offer a personal and knowledgeable tour service. With over 26 years in the business, Geoff
prides himself in running successful, value for money tours to exciting locations.
(Zimbabwe). His first job was on the South African Railways where he worked as a clerk in
Natal. Recounting the year spent there has amused many groups in the lounges of
innumerable special trains. Returning to Rhodesia, Geoff installed microwave radio systems
across the country, often built on the top of hills in areas of outstanding scenic beauty that
entrenched an interest in photography.
An interest in theatre lighting precipitated a career move when Geoff started a company to
give technical support to theatre, film and television. Hair-raising experiences whilst working
on 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 when 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 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, competed with the finest
in the world. It was always great fun, particularly when Geoff or his wife, Sheelagh, managed
the tours themselves.
In 1999 Sheelagh and Geoff sold the train. Geoff once more wanted to do new things which,
of course, included the railway. He organised a steam railway festival called Zimfest and
started hosting group visits to 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 and Sheelagh Cooke now live in Kidderminster where they can hear the steam whistles
on the Severn Valley Railway from their garden. From there, Geoff pursues his interest in
trains around the world. Once Africa is in your blood, it never leaves and 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's Trains Limited is owned and operated by Geoff Cooke. One of the few full time
specialist rail tour operators who share their passion for railways and knowledge of tourism
to offer a personal and knowledgeable tour service. With over 26 years in the business, Geoff
prides himself in running successful, value for money tours to exciting locations.