Cuckoo - 1904 - Engine driver - Sam Pike was a man of note in the new country, having been the first European driver at the birth of the Uganda Railway. Sam was a character - also a very privileged person. I had been told that he often halted his train between stations, walked down the line of coaches, and demanded a drink of beer or whisky from the passengers. If this was not forthcoming promptly he threatened to keep the train stalled until his thirst had been quenched. The hidden bottle was produced and handed over without further argument for Sam was a man of few words but meant what he said....... He was also known to halt his train and allow a passenger to stalk a buck outside the Game Reserve. He would wait patiently until the deed was accomplished, the beast skinned and cut up and then, after accepting a choice joint of venison as his share of the spoils, the engine would whistle and the train go on its way. Time-tables did not worry the drivers unduly in those carefree days - certainly not Sam Pike.

Into Africa - Sam Pike, an early engineer, would stop his train if a passenger saw a particularly good shot, 'wait patiently until the deed was accomplished, the beast skinned and cut up ….. Accepting a choice joint of venison' for his trouble.

North - Temporary Railway appt. 24/3/1899; Driver, Loco Dept 30/9/1900; Engine Driver May 1902; Loco Foreman 6/1/1905

EAHB 1904 - Mombasa & Kilindini Residents - Pike, S. - Engine Driver, Kilindini

Nairobi South cemetery - Sam Pike, died 18 April 1906, aged 51 - Railway Dept.

Cuckoo - story of ball at Govt. House Mombasa