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SA_-_Bailden_Falls Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. Hauling a mixed train, Class 24, 2-8-4 No.3688 (NBL 26500.1949) crosses the Umzintlava River near Bailden Waterfalls, on 7th July 1999. The location is on the 25.6 mile (41km) branch line between Franklin to Kokstad, in Natal Province and during its sinuous return journey from Kokstad, the locomotive will lift its train through a climb of 784 feet (239m). By that time, the branch line was seeing very little traffic and in fact, was completely closed two years later. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Breyten_2x_Class_24 to Bethal. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. On 27th October 1976, double-headed Class 24, 2-8-4 roar out of Breyten, Eastern Transvaal, with coal empties, making for Bethal and on, to the Transvaal coal field. Sadly, the locomotives’ identities were not ascertained. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 Class 24 2-8-4 No. 3688 (NBL 26400.1949) runs its mixed train along a precipitous rocky ledge near Bailden, en route from the branch line terminus at Kokstad to the junction station at Franklin, in Kwa Zulu. At that time 7 July 1999, traffic on the branch was very sparse; it has since been closed and lifted. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 Arguably the most beautiful railway line in South Africa, the branch line from George to Knysna, had at its western end the Kaaimans River Bridge, supposedly the most-photographed railway bridge in the world! It is sited, literally where the river estuary meets the sea and the waves of the Indian Ocean may be seen in the distance, on 18 October 1976, as an unknown Class 24 2-8-4 crosses the bridge with the 1745 mixed train from Knysna to George. South African Railways retained the branch under steam working as a very well supported tourist attraction, until that is, 2006 when flooding caused such damage that train services were suspended. To this date they have not been restored Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 Steam returns to the Pietermaritzburg – Franklin network of lines for the first time in 25 years. 2-8-4 Class 24 3688 (NBL 26400/1949) pilots Beyer Garratt GO 2575 (Hen 28708/1954) through classic rural Zululand at Mafunze on 5 July 1999. The presence of these locomotives in this fairly remote area caused consternation, fear and absolute fascination among the residents! Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Woodford_24_3688. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. On 6th July 1999, 2-8-4, 24 3688 (NBL 26400/1949) heading a mixed train, approaches Woodford, on the branch line from Donnybrook to Underberg, KwaZulu Natal. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com