[1] A first local railway was constructed in 1895 by the Damaraland Guano Company for commercial purposes.

The first public railway, and the core of the present system, was constructed by the German colonial government.

The 383 km connection between Swakopmund and Windhoek was inaugurated on June 19, 1902.

After the independence of Namibia, TransNamib took control of the national rail network.

[1] In early 2011, the Karasburg - Ariamsvlei mainline was damaged by flash floods, as was part of the Seeheim-Lüderitz line; services were suspended.