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SA_-_Carolina Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. By 1981, South African Railways’ Beyer-Garratt locomotives were much in decline, with just two pockets of operation remaining; the Mafeking - Vryburg line in the Northern Cape and very much sought after by enthusiasts, double-headed Class GMAs on the week-daily return freight working from Waterval Boven to Carolina, in the Eastern Transvaal. The train required two Garretts because of the switchback route and heavy loads, mostly of timber and coal from the Witrand mine. On 13th July 1981 GMA 4080 & 4113 (BP 7678.1954 & 7828.1955), make use of the falling grade out of Carolina station to gain speed for the coming climb towards a summit at Sewefontein and on to the junction for Waterval Boven, at Machadorp, 35 miles (56km) away. Despite the 2000-tonne load and challenging gradients faced by the two Garratts, the writer had to travel at up to 75mph (120kph) to get ahead of them for more pictures! This, the last double-headed Beyer-Garrett operation in the world, came to an end in 1984. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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South African Railways GMA/M 4079 "Lyndie Lou" owned by Sandstone Estate. With 120 units built 1953 to 1958 it is the world's most numerous Garratt type, the last were retired 1988. The articulated Garratt system allowed high power on branch lines of tight curves and low axle load. In 2018 it was in operational order but the wheels needed reprofiling. Reefsteamers depot, Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. In 2021 this locomotive was relocated to Sandstone Estate. tobias b köhler

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South African Railways GMA/M 4079 "Lyndie Lou" owned by Sandstone Estate. 2'D1'+1'D2'h4t or 4-8-2+2-8-4 Double Mountain. Reefsteamers depot, Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. tobias b köhler

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South African Railways GMA/M 4079 "Lyndie Lou" owned by Sandstone Estate. Reefsteamers depot, Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. tobias b köhler

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South African Railways GMA/M 4079 "Lyndie Lou" owned by Sandstone Estate. Reefsteamers depot, Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. 2018-08-17. tobias b köhler

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 A Class GMA Garratt breasts the 600 metre summit of the Montagu Pass at Topping, on 18 October 1976. The train was the daily working from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth which was one of THE journeys to make! The service was hauled by electric traction from Cape Town to Worcester where the first Garratt took over to Riversdale. There a second Garratt worked to Voorbai where a third Garratt came on to work over the Montagu Pass to Oudtshoorn. From there a 19D 4-8-2 took the train to Kliplaat, from where a Class 15AR 4-8-2 headed the train on the final stretch to Port Elizabeth. The whole trip took two nights and a day and it was in fact, quicker to go by Union Castle mail boat from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth! Not for the true enthusiast though! Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 By 1981 the last regular double-headed Garratt working on South African Railways was the weekdays-only freight from Waterval Boven to Carolina and return. Always heavily laden, this pair of Class GMAM, 4-8-2+2-8-4 were able to rest for a moment on the brief level through Moedig, on their way back to Waterval Boven. The date was 13 July 1981 and the locomotives were: GMAM 4080 and 4113 (BP 7678/1954 and 7828/1955, respectively). Note the twin water “djins” attached to each loco for this largely waterless area. This spectacular service ceased shortly after the picture was taken. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com