There was a charming TV film last night about the Tanzania and Zambia Railroad Authority. You can watch it here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s6bgw/African_Railway/
The systemic dysfunction revealed in this good-natured film is testimony to the difficulties of railway planning. It’s not just people, it’s the culture that is required.
The TZRA is a freight line that ships copper from its land-locked origin to the ocean. It is now an entirely owned subsidiary of the Chinese government. They buy all the copper.