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Zimbabwe_17_Wankie_colly_washery _arrive__No.1_(NBL 27557.55)_1.10.81 Wankie (nowadays Hwange) Colliery Company (WCC) is a major producer of high quality coal, employing a widespread internal railway system for bringing coal from various pits to a central washery and from there, to exchange sidings with ZR, for transport away. In the late afternoon of 1st October 1981, WCC 4-8-2 No.1 (NBL 27557/1955) brings a load of coal to the washery. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_18_Wankie_colly_washery_Nos.3_&_1_(NBL 27559 & 27557.55)_1.10.81 At the washery, WCC No.3 (NBL 27559/1955) is being prepared to take a load of washed coal to the exchange sidings, but first must get out of the way of newly arrived No.1 so that it can deposit its load of freshly mined “black diamonds”. 1st October 1981. These two locomotives and sister No.2, are copies of Rhodesia Railways 18th Class, but without that type's 'torpedo' tender. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_19_Wankie_Colly_washery_No.3_(NBL 27559.1955)_1.10.1981 WCC 4-8-2 No.3 (NBL 27559/1955) waits to leave the washery for ZR’s exchange sidings. Two things to note: the immaculate condition of the colliery’s locomotives and the very much less immaculate, huge spoil tip that mars the otherwise attractive African veld. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_20_Wankie_colly_washery_No.3_(NBL 27559.55)_washed_coal_for_exchange sidings_1.10.81 WCC No.3 (NBL 27559/1955) hurries away from the washery, bound for the exchange sidings. The train’s weight was in the region of 1500 tonnes so it is fortunate the route is mostly downhill! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_21_Wankie_colly_S-bend_No.3_(NBL 27559.55)_empties_for_washery_1.10.81 The day’s work is nearly over for WCC No.3 (NBL 27559/1955) and her work crew, as they slowly climb up through the S-bend from the exchange sidings, with empties for the washery. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_22_Wankie_colly_No.5_ex-SAR_16DA_(BLW.29)_1.10.81 At the time of the photographer’s visit, WCC had two other engines, Nos. 4 and 5. Both were ex-SAR Class 16DA 4-8-2 (Baldwin 1929), whose individual identities were, however, not known. Here No.5 and work gang are undertaking some track maintenance near No.3 pit. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_23_Wankie_colly_No.5_ex-SAR_16DA _(BLW.29)_1.10.81 More “smoke by request” for an impressive side-on portrait of WCC No.5 (BLW 1929) on 1st October 1981. When in front-line SAR service these Pacifics were ferocious performers, working such prestigious trains as “The Union Limited”. When the photographer went returned the locomotive shed foreman's office to thank him for allowing the visit, the foreman enigmatically advised: "be at the S-bend tomorrow at 0630!" roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_24_Wankie_colly_S-bend_(1)_Nos_5+3_&_1_2.10.81 As recommended by WCC’s engine shed foreman, the photographer positioned himself by the climbing S-bend before 0630 on 2nd October 1981. It has been the cameraman’s privilege to have witnessed steam in action in many places around the world, but on 2nd October 1981, standing alone in the bush at the S-bend, a scene unfolded which was one of his pinnacle experiences of what would become nearly 70 years of photographing steam. WCC Baldwin 4-8-2 No.5, piloting NBL 4-8-2 No.3, banked by 4-8-2 No.1, all struggling mightily to get over 2000 tonnes of coal uphill, through the S-bend! A spine-tingling demonstration of what man achieved by harnessing of the elements of fire and water! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_25_Wankie_colly_S-bend_(2)_Nos_5+3_&_1_2.10.81 2nd October 1981, WCC’s S-bend: locomotive Nos. 5 and 3 climb slowly past the camera; the noise, particularly from the Baldwin Pacific, was ear-splitting! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_26_Wankie_colly_S-bend_(3)_ No.1_(NBL 27557.55)_banking_2.10.81 By the time the banking No.1 (NBL 27557/1955) reached the camera, the three locomotives had the train well in hand, so with seemingly less effort, but still noisily, a stalwart No.1 pushed on! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_27_Wankie_colly_S-bend_(4)_Nos_5+3_approach_washery_1_2.10.81 The spoil tip by the washery beckons and promises an end to the struggles of WCC Nos. 5, 3 and 1. Sadly, it was nearly the end too, of the photographer’s once in a lifetime experience! Of the engines seen during the photographer's October 1981 visit and numerous others which followed, the only known survivor is Baldwin Pacific WCC No.5, mounted an a plinth at a roadside picnic area, below Baobab Hill. Its condition is unfortunately, deteriorated. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com