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Zimbabwe_1_Bulawayo_shed_East_end_SAR_14R_ZR_15A_&_16A_27.9.81 The early morning sun illuminates the east end of Bulawayo engine shed on 27th September 1981. Locomotive classes being prepared for work are 14R 4-8-2, on hire from South African Railways (SAR) and Zimbabwe Railways (ZR) Beyer-Garratts 15A 4-6-4+4-6-4 and 16A 2-8-2+2-8-2. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_8_Bulawayo_trip_freight_14R_1712_(RS 3554.1914)_ 27.9.81 Bulawayo 27th September 1981; SAR Class 14R 1712 (RS 3554/1914) working tender first, hauls a trip freight between goods yards. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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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

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Zimbabwe_10_Bulawayo_carriage_pilot_14A_512_(BP 7585.1953)_ 27.9.81 With “smoke by request!”, Class 14A 512 (BP 7585/1953) charges out of Bulawayo carriage sidings on 27th September 1981, en route to the station. Note in the right distance a venerable, blue Renault Dauphine, typical of the motor vehicles which had to be kept going because of UN sanctions imposed upon Rhodesia following its 11th September 1965 UDI (Universal Declaration of Independence). roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_6_Bulawayo_shed_repair_shop_14A_519 (BP 7591.1953)_27.9.1981 Inside Bulawayo engine shed’s large repair shop on 27th September 1981, Class 14A No.519 (BP 7591/1953) awaits attention for an unknown defect. The white wheel rims indicate a RESSCO-refurbished locomotive. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_7_Bulawayo_goods_yard_14_501_(BP 6619.1929)_ 26.9.81 At Bulawayo’s large goods depot, on 27th September 1981, ZR’s oldest working Garratt, Class 14 501 (BP 6619/1929), bustles about with much noise. And smoke for the photographer! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_9_Bulawayo_carriage_sidings_14A_512_&_14R_1712_ (BP 7585.1953 & RS 3554.1914)_27.9.81 14R 1712 blasts its trip freight past the camera while in some sidings, carriage pilot Class 14A 512 (BP 7585/1953) waits for the 14R and its train to clear the line, so it may take some coaches to the station. 27th September 1981. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_12_Thompson_Jct_Trn_21_to_Bulawayo_15A_392 'Ithaka' _(BP 7334.1950)_1.10.81 Hammering around the horseshoe curve in the shadow of “Baobab Hill” near Thompson Junction, on 1st October 1981, Class 15A 392 “Ithaka” (“Roan Antelope”) heads Train No.21 to Bulawayo. The load consists of a pair of tank wagons and 18 hoppers of Wankie Colliery coal, a total weight of about 1500 tonnes. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_2_Bulawayo_shed_15A_374_(BP 7270.1949)_not_ refurbished_27.9.1981 Class 15A Garratt No.374 (BP 7270/1949) leaves Bulawayo shed on 27th September 1981, to pick up its freight train for Thompson Junction. Of the 74 Class 15A built, 33 would be refurbished under a ZR scheme to help bring the railways back from the depredations of the civil war; No.374 would not be one of those updated. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_3_Bulawayo_shed_15A_386 'Umyelane' _(BP 7328.1951)_rear_view_27.9.1981 Class 15A Garratt No.386 (BP 7328/1951) has just emerged from the RESSCO (Rhodesia Engineering and Steel Supply Company) works after refurbishment, which included the fitting of roller bearings. ZR chose to christen the updated Class 15A with names of African animals in local dialects. 386 carries the name “Umyelane” which translates to “Spring Hare”. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_4_Bulawayo_shed_15A_387 'Imvubu' _(BP 7329.1951)_side_view_27.9.1981 A nicely lit close-up of refurbished 15A 387 (BP 7329/1951), highlights the name “Imvubu” which means “Hippopotamus”. Bulawayo shed 27th September 1981. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_11_Thompson_Jct_Trn_18_to_Vic_Falls_16A_609 (ex-636)_(BP 7514.1953)_1.10.81 Class 16A 609 (BP 7514/1953) approaches Thompson Junction on 1st October 1981, with a freight from Bulawayo, en route to Victoria Falls and on, to Zambia. This locomotive had previously been numbered 636, that being changed to 609 following a RESSCO refurbishment process. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_14_Victoria_Falls_approach_0730_arr_from _Bulawayo_16_ 615_(ex-648)_(BP 7526.1953)_27.9.81 The morning of 27th September 1981 and running late, so going flat out(!), Class 16A 615 (BP 7526/1953) approaches Victoria Falls with the 12-coach overnight train from Bulawayo, which the Garratt had brought from Thompson Junction. This was another locomotive re-numbered following attention by RESSCO - it was formerly No.648. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_15_Victoria_Falls_station_16A_615_(ex-648)_(BP 7526.1953)_27.9.81 16A 615 (BP 7526/1953) has brought the daily train from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls on 27th September 1981 and is taking on water prior to returning later in the day with a freight train from Zambia. That freight will come around the curve seen in the distance, just beyond which is the iconic railway bridge which crosses the Zambesi in full sight of “The Smoke That Thunders” - how the local people once described the Falls. The station name board is inscribed: Cape Town: 2651 kms; Beira: 1534 kms and Bulawayo 451 kms. Sad to say, no timetabled ZR passenger trains have run to Victoria Falls, since 2020. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_16_Victoria_Falls_station_1730_to_Bulawayo_16A_602 (ex-626)_(BP 7504.1952)_28.9.81 The sun has been gone for some time, so the photographer pushes Kodachrome 64 to the limit, to catch 16A 602 (BP 7504/1952), blast out of Victoria Falls station with the 1730 overnight train to Bulawayo. The locomotive had been numbered 626 before refurbishment by RESSCO. The date was 28th September 1981. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_13_Thompson_Jct_Trn_24_from_Bulawayo_20_737(ex-718)_Ingubo_(BP 7783.1954)_1.10.81 With Baobab Hill in the background, Class 20A 737 coasts down grade with Train 24 from Bulawayo, a mixed freight to Thompson Junction, and Zambia. The locomotive had been through a RESSCO refurbishment, being re-numbered from 718 and gaining the name “Ingubo”. The naming policy for the class 20A was different, in that names reflected things of importance to the local people. “Ingubo” translates to “Blanket”, which item was universally worn around the waist, most days, by the ladies of Zimbabwe. 1st October 1981. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Zimbabwe_5_Bulawayo_shed_20 716_&_14A_513_(BP 7781.1954 _&_7586.1953)_27.9.81 Bulawayo shed, 27th September 1981. The depot’s massive pilot locomotive, Class 20A 4-8-2+2-8-4 No.716 (BP 7586/1953), shunts Class 14A 2-6-2+2-6-2 No.513 (BP 7781/1954). roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Plasser & Theurer modern track and turnout tamping machine class Unimat 09-32/4S Dynamic of Dolkom is arriving in Luban Slaski, Poland, 14.08.2025. Photo by Michal Kozicki (michalmarekkozicki@gmail.com)

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IGL 311D1-09 is seen standing idle in Luban Slaski, Poland, 21.08.2025. Photo by Michal Kozicki (michalmarekkozicki@gmail.com)