12AR-1535_Germiston1.jpg (156013 bytes)

South African Railways class 12AR No. 3535, owned by Reefsteamers. This series was built 1919 to 1929 by North British and Henschel and later rebuilt with a Loubser boiler. Of 75 built, 6 are preserved. Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. tobias b köhler

12AR-1535_Germiston2.jpg (163709 bytes)

South African Railways class 12AR No. 3535, owned by Reefsteamers. This series was built 1919 to 1929 by North British and Henschel and later rebuilt with a Loubser boiler. Of 75 built, 6 are preserved. Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. tobias b köhler

SA_-_De_Aar_shed_CS_pilot_12AR_1544_15_10_76.jpg (141230 bytes)

Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 The double-track main line between De Aar and Kimberley was THE magnet for steam enthusiasts from all over the world. Frequent, heavy freights, interspersed with some passenger workings, were hauled by a few Class 25 4-8-4 condensing locomotives, but mostly by Class 25NC 4-8-4, in single and often, double-harness. The locomotive depots at De Aar and Beaconsfield, Kimberley were the centres of operation for the line, with most emphasis upon De Aar. These photos show the sheds and trains on the main line, nicknamed the “Steel Kyalami” after the South African Gran Prix circuit. This was simply because trains were worked with maximum effort and although the formal line speed limit was 55 mph (88kph), that speed was frequently exceeded, sometimes by a considerable margin! The third pilot at De Aar depot was a massive Class 12AR 4-8-2 1544 (Hen. 21050.1928) “Sarie”, employed on keeping the depot’s coaling plant supplied with fuel. The loco is seen here propelling 400 tons of coal up the coaling stage ramp, 15 October 1976. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com