There are three Wickham railcars, built in 1965, ex-Rhodesia Railways, standing at Kabwe workshops, Zambia. One is relatively complete, the other two have been somewhat stripped. Geoff and some colleagues in SA are entertaining thoughts of  acquiring them and restoring them in SA for use on branch lines. There current status is:
RC1 - One end corroded, electrical system removed. Bogie frames within ideals. Engine removed, seats missing, couplers OK.
RC2 - One end corroded. Bogie available, leaking bearings. Engine removed, seats missing, couplers OK.
RC3 - Body OK, electrical system partly cannibalised. Bogie frame with wheels bearing caps missing. Defective engine with components missing, seats missing, couplers OK.
The Railway's CME has stated that RC3 looks in much better condition than the others.

The Zambian Wickham units could perhaps be used as hauled stock initially. All are 3'6" gauge so there is little point in returning them to UK, where they originates from. Unfortunately SAR itself never really went in for railcars, although there are some Japanese and other foreign vehicles in the Maputo docks area, mostly with bullet holes and other war damage. At least that's a problem we don't have!

They also had kitchens and could operate singly or in multiple. Seems like they are 'super bubblecars'. They were running at speeds of up to 60mph on 3ft 6in gauge track and seemed to be highly thought of. Unfortunately when the Federation broke up they ended up in the Zambian section and there was insufficient expertise to maintain them. Had they been in Zimbabwe Geoff thinks they might have fared better.

At the start of February Geoff received this message from Geoff Cooke in Zimbabwe giving latest news
of these vehicles at Kabwe.

"Zimbabwe Railways have advised me: All three railcars are standing derelict at Kabwe. Superficially, they seem OK, but the interiors are gutted and the engines are incomplete. ZR would be happy to dispose of them at scrap value. But; National Heritage would like to preserve one & The Ministry of Communications and Transport has put a total ban on the disposal of all assets. This is expected to be lifted in due course. A visit can be arranged. 

There seems a good possibility to get the railcars out, although possibly only two could be sold with the third going to Livingstone Museum. The interiors are possibly not much of a problem. If you wanted to rebuild them close to original condition, possibly the UK has adequate parts. If they were used for tourism, the interiors would need alteration anyway. Presumably the engines would be changed for new ones if they were to run."