The train's departure is quite miraculous. Preparations for the Friday journey start four days before, early on the Monday morning. The maintenance crew of seven people has to use African ingenuity to keep the 1920s Pullman locomotive on the rails. No spare parts exist and probably have not for the last 40 years. Manuals have been out of print longer than most of the workers have been alive.
Maintenance is done by trial and error.
The crew that operates the train on Friday doubles during the week as maintenance crew. Hermangildo is the train guard but during the week he is a welder. We all have to work together to make Mozambique work. Camaraderie and pride keep the Xai Xai railroad alive. The journey goes through splendid scenery, untouched bush interrupted by the occasional village.