15F-3046_Germiston1.jpg (156081 bytes)|
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Directory: /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/15
Last update: Wed Nov 1 18:32:22 CET 2023
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| South African Railways class 15F 3046, owned by Reefsteamers. This series was built 1939 to 1947 in 255 units, South African Railways's most numerous class. A good number are preserved to this day. Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. |
| South African Railways class 15F 3052 "Avril", owned by Sandstone Estates. This series was built 1939 to 1947 in 255 units, South African Railways's most numerous class. A good number are preserved to this day. Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. |
| South African Railways class 15F 3052 "Avril", owned by Sandstone Estates. This series was built 1939 to 1947 in 255 units, South African Railways's most numerous class. A good number are preserved to this day. Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. |
| SA_-_Bloemfontein_1725_to_Thaba_Nchu Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. The setting sun at Bloemfontein side-lights 4-8-2 15F 2964 (NBL 24504.1939) as it departs with the 1725 hours passenger service to the township of Thaba Nchu, on 12th October 1976. Upon reaching its destination the 15F will turn and stable until working an early morning workers’ train back to Bloemfontein. No passenger trains now run between Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| SA_-_Bloemfontein_Showgrounds_Drakensberg_Express Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. On 12th October 1976, the Cape Town - Durban “Drakensberg Express” approaches Bloemfontein through the Showgrounds, behind 4-8-2 Class 15F 3096 (NBL 25980.1948).The locomotive is fitted with a tender from a withdrawn Class 23 4-8-2, while the thirteen coach consist was the former “Blue Train”, built by Metro-Cammell of UK, which ran until 1972 and replacement by new coaches built by South Africa’s Union Carriage company. The rolling stock seen here was taken out of use in 1985 and the present day “Drakensberg Express” runs between Johannesburg and Durban. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| SA_-_Breyten_shed_15AR_2094_and_15CA_2816 Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. Breyten was the junction for a Western Transvaal branch line from Bethal and two Eastern Transvaal routes: the secondary main line from Machadorp, passing through to Ermelo and the branch to Lothair. It was thus the site of a busy locomotive depot which is seen here in the late afternoon of 27th October 1976, with a pair of the shed’s residents taking it easy: 4-8-2s 15AR 2094 (left) & 15CA 2816 (right) (Maffei 5639.1925 & NBL 23779.1928, respectively). Today the engine shed has long been gone; only the Machadorp to Ermelo route still runs through Breyten’s closed station, the Bethal and Lothair lines having succumbed some years ago. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| SA_-_Breyten_15AR_1848 Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. The slowly setting sun nicely silhouettes 4-8-2 15AR 1848 (Beyer Peacock 5964.1920) at Breyten engine shed on 27th October 1976. The smoking cinders have just been cleared from the ashpan as the just-seen fireman works on the footplate, slowly putting the 56-years old locomotive “to bed.” roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| De_Aar_coal_stage_pilot. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. The famous depot of De Aar had three dedicated pilot locomotives, all kept in superb condition by their allocated crews. Basking in the sunshine on 19th October 1973 and equipped with a very non-standard copper-capped chimney, De Aar’s coal stage pilot was 4-8-2 Class 15AR 2100 'Prudence' (Maffei 5645/1925). Three years later No.2100 had been transferred to Queenstown engine shed, being replaced on the coal stage shunt by 4-8-2, Class 12AR 1544. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| Kroonstad_Classes_15F_&_23. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. For the years before 1974, Kroonstad engine shed shared with Bloemfontein depot, the enormous traffic over the main line between both towns, predominantly with Class 15F and 23 4-8-2s. In 1976, electric locomotives were working Kroonstad - Bloemfontein, but the former’s depot still maintained a large stud of Classes 15F and 23 for the line west to Klerksdorp and numerous shunting and pilot duties. In the early evening of 11th October 1976, 15Fs and 23s are lined up simmering, waiting for their next tasks. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| PE_Sydenham_15AR_1969. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. By 1976 the Class 16CR 4-6-2 had been replaced on the Port Elizabeth suburban trains by Class 15AR 4-8-2, but as before, some were maintained in sparkling condition by their depots. A ‘star’ locomotive of Uitenhage shed was 15AR 1969 (BP 5986/1921), seen here on 20th October 1976, making a fine sight as it departs from Sydenham station for Port Elizabeth. Immediate sister locomotive, 15AR 1968, was kept in similar condition by Port Elizabeth, Sydenham depot. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| Pretoria_station_arrival_from_Witbank. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. Pretoria station in the early morning of 16th October 1973, as the overnight, international train from Lorenzo Marques (nowadays Maputo) in Mozambique, arrives behind a pair of Class 15CA 4-8-2, Nos. 2810 and 2812 (Breda 2245/1929 & NBL 23775/1928, respectively). Passengers on the sixteen coach, sleeping car train had experienced a varied selection of haulage behind steam. A Class 700 4-8-2 of Mozambique Railways from Lorenzo Marques, to the South African border at Komatipoort, then probably a GMAM Beyer Garratt from there to Waterval Boven. Another GMAM, or a pair of 4-8-2 of several classes, would then have gone forward to Witbank, from where the two 15CA - reputedly the loudest engines on South African Railways (where all locomotives were loud!) - brought the heavy train over the difficult route to Pretoria. A steam enthusiast’s dream! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
The sun is setting at De Aar, on the edge of the Karoo desert, as 4-8-2 Class 15AR 1856 (BP 5972.1920), transits the flyover line from the freight yards to De Aar locomotive depot. The 15AR class was at that time - 19 October 1973 - staple power for the workings between De Aar, south to Noupoort and beyond.
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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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!
Pride of place in Mr Watson’s depot, were De Aar’s three pilot locomotives, as evinced here by “Milly” the shed pilot. No. 1970 was one of two, surviving Class 15A (BP 5987.1921), on 15 October 1976 decorated with brass sheeting over the cylinders and on the front edges of the Belpaire firebox; there was also graphite polishing of smokebox and chimney. It is believed that 15A 1970 still survives today, but like all of South Africa’s preserved steam locomotives, it may at any time be the target of scrap metal thieves, as has sadly, already happened to many such priceless relics. 15 October 1976.
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
Even to those of us that love the steam locomotive it was obvious that the day-to-day job of keeping them in running order was not easy. Rather it was dirty, tedious and often, downright dangerous, but for all that they were fascinating beasts!
An idea what it was like to work on steam engines is seen here at Germiston depot on 11 October 1976. 4-8-2 Class 15F 3112 (NBL 25996.1948), is having its boiler drained prior to a washout, while a steam lance is employed to clear ashes out of the huge grate. Just behind a similar process is starting on a sister 15F with water escaping from the top drain-plugs over the firebox. The gentleman wielding the steam hose probably did NOT look upon this as a glamorous or interesting job!
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
In 1973 the busiest steam-worked main line in South Africa was that between Kroonstad and Bloemfontein, with trains appearing about every 15 minutes, in each direction. One of the favourite photo locations was from a line-side “kopje” or hill, at Glen Karee, very near the summit of a long, hard climb up from Bloemfontein. On 18 October 1973 an unidentified Class 15F 4-8-2, rattles downhill with its freight for Bloemfontein. Two things are noticeable: the locomotive has recently passed under a loading hopper, probably holding gold ore, and the white blocks at the edge of the track bed, ready for the electrification scheme that would be completed late in 1974; another steam spectacle would then be gone forever.
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
In the early 1980s there was a daily freight working from Bloemfontein to Modderpoort, on the line to Bethlehem, and return. Although staple power for the route was the Class 25NC 4-8-4, Bloemfontein shed still turned out a Class 15F 4-8-2 for the duty. On 10 March 1981 at Hoogfontein, not far from Modderpoort, 15F 3124 (NBL 25608.1948), positively roars along with its light load on the return trip to Bloemfontein. To provide extra water capacity, the locomotive had been fitted with a tender from a withdrawn Class 23 4-8-2.
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
South Africa’s matchless clear atmosphere, sunshine and blue skies are well seen here at Noupoort, on 15 October 1976. 4-8-2 Class 15AR 1569 (NBL 20372.1914), was one of a pair shunting in and around the station at the time. Today’s Health & Safety gurus would have a lot to say about that gentleman hanging on to the side of a wagon while the train is moving!
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
The west end of Bloemfontein engine shed 18 October 1973. Bloemfontein, in South Africa’s Orange Free State, stood at the junction of several important main lines, only one of which saw diesel traction at the time. All other lines were 100% steam-worked and Bloemfontein depot was putting out to traffic over 200 steam locomotives PER DAY, an enormous spectacle!
Here we see 4-8-2s of Class 15F, 23, 12R and 19D; the distinctive white blocks are deflectors against which steam locomotives “blew-down” before leaving the depot, to help rid their boilers of accumulated scale and debris.
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
Class 15F 4-8-2 No. 3008 (NBL 25547/1944) lifts a heavy train out of Capital Park freight yards at Pretoria, South Africa, 14 October 1973. This class of 4-8-2 locomotive came into service in 1938/9 with deliveries totalling 65 units from Berliner Maschinenbau, Henschel and North British. A further 90 engines were delivered in 1944, from North British and Beyer Peacock and a final 100 from North British, in 1948. A genuine maid-of-all-work, the locos were seen all over the South African system, equally at home with goods or passenger traffic; they were renowned for their loud, chesty exhaust beat!
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999
The South African Railways line from East London to Queenstown and Bloemfontein is steeply graded for many miles, literally off the platform ends at East London. In the suburb of Chislehurst, 4-8-2 Class 15AR 2084 (Maf. 5629/1925) is seen climbing strongly northwards with its train for Queenstown. The date is 21 October 1976 and within a couple of years this route would be electrified and bring the end of steam on line work.
Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| Utrecht_colliery_15F_2983_&_3034. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. South African Railways maintained a small engine shed at Newcastle, in Natal, for locomotives hauling coal from mines in the surrounding area. One prolific source was Utrecht Colliery from where coal was transported over a difficult line to Newcastle, requiring a maximum effort from double-headed Class 15F 4-8-2. On 25th October 1976, 15Fs 2983 and 3034 (named “Matuza” - ‘Savage’ or ‘Fast’) (Beyer Peacock 7098/1944 and NBL 25573/1944, respectively), make an all-out start from Utrecht Colliery with a 1500 tonne load of coal. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
| Viljoenskroon_Klerksdorp-Kroonstad_freight. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. A chance meeting on a remote Orange Free State level crossing at Viljoenskroon on 9th March 1981. 4-8-2 Class 15F 3152 (NBL 26036/1948) passes with a short freight from Klerksdorp to Kroonstad. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com |
15F-3052_Germiston1.jpg (153329 bytes)
15F-3052_Germiston2.jpg (159897 bytes)
Bloemfontein_1725_to_Thab_Nchu_15F_2964__NBL_24504_1939__12_10_76.jpg (114117 bytes)
Bloemfontein_Drakensberg_Exp__15F_3096__NBL_25980_1948___12_10_76.jpg (159946 bytes)
Breyten_15AR_2094_+_15CA_2816__Maf_5639_1925_+_NBL_23779_1928__27_10_1976.jpg (109939 bytes)
Breyten_shed_15AR_1848__BP_5964_1920__27_10_76.jpg (149542 bytes)
De_Aar_coal_stage_pilot_15AR_2100__Prudence___Maf_5645_1925__19_10_1973.jpg (131514 bytes)
Kroonstad_Classes_15F_+_23_11_10_76.jpg (144269 bytes)
PE_Sydenham_15AR_1969__BP_5986_1921__20_10_76.jpg (143509 bytes)
Pretoria_station_arrival_from_Witbank_15CA_2810__Breda_2245_1929__+_2812__NBL_23775_1928___16_10_1973.jpg (150203 bytes)
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SA_-_De_Aar_shed_pilot_15A_1970_15_10_76.jpg (149717 bytes)
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SA_-_Glen_Karee_15F_down_frt_18_10_1973.jpg (135540 bytes)
SA_-_Hoogfontein_15F_3124_Sbound_frt_10_3_81.jpg (145892 bytes)
SA_-_Noupoort_pilot_15AR_1569_15_10_76.jpg (137254 bytes)
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S_Africa_-_Chislehurst_15AR_2084__Maf__5629_1925__21_10_76.jpg (147026 bytes)
Utrecht_colliery_15F_2983_+_3034_Matakuza__BP_7098_1944_+_NBL_25573_1944___2__25_10_76.jpg (139683 bytes)
Viljoenskroon_Klerksdorp-Kroonstad_freight_15F_3152__NBL_26036_1948__9_3_81.jpg (158442 bytes)