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SA_-_Cedarville Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. South African Railways’ line from Pietermaritzburg, west through KwaZulu Natal, twisted and turned, rose and fell, to eventually reach a terminus at Matatiele, a distance of 189 miles (302km). Returning a passenger train from Matatiele to Donnybrook, Beyer Garratt GO 2575 (Hen 28708.1954), reflects the lowering sun at Cedarville on 7th July 1999. Designed for light branch line work, the GO type would total 25 units and was basically, a scaled-down version of the GMA type. The frames were the same in both classes but the GO featured a smaller boiler and reduced valve and piston dimensions. The GO were predominantly employed on iron ore traffic over the Belfast to Steelport branch in the Eastern Transvaal but when displaced by diesels they had little other work. Accordingly, they were stored in the dry atmosphere of De Aar depot in case they were further required but that never occurred so with the exception of two engines the rest of the class was scrapped. The locomotive seen here is one of the survivors and the only working example of the GO type; today it resides in the Outeniqua Transport Museum, at George, Cape Midland system. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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SA_-_Creighton Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. Making its way from Donnybrook to Franklin, in Natal, Beyer Garratt GO 2575 (Hen 28708.1954) and its mixed train greet the rising sun at Creighton, on the frosty morning of 8th July 1999. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Malenge_GO_2575_Malenge. Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. The railway through KwaZulu, between Pietermaritzburg and Matatiele, abounded in severe gradients, as graphically visible here on 6th July 1999. En route from Donnybrook to Franklin, Beyer Garratt GO 2575 (Hen 28708/1954), lifts its mixed train off a horseshoe curve, in a deep depression in the landscape. In the distant background are the classic rondavel house ‘kraals’ of the township of Malenge. 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! The dry atmospheric conditions at De Aar made it an ideal place to store locomotives. Here is a line-up of Class GO Garratts on 15 October 1976, with No 2583 the closest. Twenty five, Class GO were delivered by Henschel in 1954 and by the 1970s all were at work on the Belfast to Steelport railway in the Transvaal, a line that abounded in massive climbs to the highest point on South African Railways. As such it was a candidate for early dieselisation which commenced in 1975 and by 1977 all the GOs were stored at De Aar. They never worked again, except GO 2575 which was preserved and today rests at Voorbai museum depot. GO 2586 also still survives, but has pretty much been reduced to a cannibalised hulk. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 South African Beyer Garratt 4-8-2+2-8-4, Class GO No. 2575 (Hen. 28708/1954), is silhouetted by the setting sun at Cedarville, on the branch line from Franklin to Matatiele, Kwa Zulu. The picture dates from 7 July 1999 and as far as can be ascertained, this branch is still in use (for freight services), unlike many of South Africa’s once-numerous rural lines! 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