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SA_-_Capital_Park Steam in Southern Africa 1973 - 1999. On 0-8-0 in the air - almost! Class S2 3788 (Krupp 3053.1953) is acting as coal stage pilot at Pretoria’s Capital Park engine shed on 30th October 1976. With much noise and spectacular smoke effects the shunter had just pushed three, 100-tonne hopper wagons of coal up the ramp, nicely judging when to stop before the wagons went flying off the other end of the bunker! In reality, this was a task undertaken daily at most South African steam sheds - all in a day’s work. The locomotive’s fireman has climbed onto the hopper wagon to try and clear a problem with the discharge gear. He is some 10 metres up in the air with not safety restraints or protective clothing of any kind - today’s Health and Safety “gurus” would have been having kittens by the litter! Once again, all in a day’s work for a man of steam! 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! Station pilot at De Aar was this magnificently turned-out 4-8-2 14R 1911 (NBL 20832.1915) “Aida”. Unusually the locomotive was paired with a modern Vanderbilt tender from a Class S 0-8-0; the extra water capacity doubtless was appreciated by the crews. 15 October 1976. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Steam in Southern Africa, 1973 – 1999 Port Elizabeth in 1973 was a fantastic place for intensive steam action! Here we see the large freight yard at New Brighton, with a pair of Class S2 0-8-0 waiting to move into the yard to begin their day’s work shunting. In the left distance a pair of Class 12R 4-8-2 can be seen at work while on the right, a line of no less than six, 4-8-2 of classes 12A and 12R have finished their shunting shifts and are waiting to depart for Sydenham locomotive depot. This type of activity went on for 24 hours, six days a week, while on the main line in the background, was an intensive steam hauled suburban service hauled by Pacifics, 4-8-2 and 2-8-4, interspersed with long distance passenger trains hauled by 4-8-2 and Beyer-Garratts. Steam heaven! Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com.