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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! The one-time “Great White (Red!) Hope” for the future of steam traction, is seen at Beaconsfield depot on 3 July 1999. A 1980 rebuild of 25NC 3450, incorporating all the ideas of Argentine engineer L.Dante Porta, 26 3450 first carried his name – and rightly so. Now with virtually all the modifications removed the engine has been very poorly renamed – what a come-down! It is recommended that those interested in the incredible results of the rebuild – hushed up and/or ignored – should read David Wardale’s book: “The Red Devil and Other Tales from the Age of Steam”. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 The twin fore-and-aft Lempor exhausts of 26 3450 are clearly evident as the locomotive takes its train over the River Orange at Perdeberg, between Kimberley and Bloemfontein. Sadly, of the many modifications made in 1980, to 25NC 3450 (Hen 28769.1953), only the Lempor exhaust and red livery remained when this picture was taken on 3 July 1999. Even the loco’s original name of L.D.Porta, to commemorate his genius, had been changed to the rather crass “Red Devil”! Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 The Argentine locomotive engineer, the late L. Dante Porta, designed many improvements that could be made to increase the overall efficiency of the Stephensonian reciprocating steam locomotive. Englishman David Wardale, working for South African Railways, obtained permission to rebuild a standard Class 25NC 4-8-4, in itself a superb design, to incorporate Porta’s ideas. 25NC 3450, (Hen. 28769/1953), was selected and radical changes made to combustion, pistons, valves, steam passages, draughting, lubrication and a myriad of other details before Class 26 3450 emerged from Salt River Works, Cape Town, in 1980. Extensive trials showed that while not yet perfect, the modifications made yielded very significant improvements in power output, fuel and water consumption, emissions and maintenance needs. It may confidently be expected that if the scheme had gone forward even greater results would have materialised. Sadly it was not to be and 26 3450 was gradually de-modified to become something more akin to a standard locomotive, albeit retaining its red livery. Finally it become a museum piece, that saw use on enthusiast trains before being sidelined, where today it faces a very uncertain future. Still on trial on 11 June 1983, 26 3450 named “L.D.Porta”, is seen at Rayton, on the Witbank – Pretoria line. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com.