BEB01_Bamboeskloof_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948___10_7_99.jpg (109293 bytes)

A journey was made from Aliwal North to Barkly East and back, over 10th/11th July 1999, starting before dawn, to allow the train to be at Bamboeskloof to meet the rising sun. The mixed train was hauled on both days by 4-8-2 Class 19D 3323 (NBL 26043.1948). roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB01_Bamboeskloof_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948___10_7_99.txt matches

BEB02_Motkop_coaling_19D_3323_10_7_1999.jpg (124298 bytes)

With no steam facilities remaining, support was provided by a diesel locomotive, which placed water tank cars at several locations and at Motkop, a coal wagon with diesel-powered crane to refuel the 19D. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB02_Motkop_coaling_19D_3323_10_7_1999.txt matches

BEB03_Motkop_fire_draisine_10_7_1999.jpg (156876 bytes)

With no steam locomotives working over the branch and thereby keeping undergrowth down, the special train was shadowed on both days by a diesel powered draisine which had water tanks, pumps and workers aboard, in order to control any fires started by the 19D. The draisine is seen entering Motkop while the locomotive was being coaled. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/work/BEB03_Motkop_fire_draisine_10_7_1999.txt matches

BEB04_4th_reverse_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.jpg (153122 bytes)

Having descended into the Karringmelkspruit valley by way of Reverses 1, 2 and 3, the 19D is seen departing from Reverse 4; it will cross the river and start the climb to Reverse 5. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB04_4th_reverse_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.txt matches

BEB05_4th-5th_reverse__1__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948____10_7_99.jpg (154201 bytes)

The ascent from Reverse 4 to Reverse 5 was mostly on a ledge along one side of the narrow river valley. Working very hard, 19D 3324 is seen from above as it progresses to Reverse 5. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB05_4th-5th_reverse__1__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948____10_7_99.txt matches

BEB06_4th-5th_reverse__2__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.jpg (157758 bytes)

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BEB07_5th_reverse_19D_3323_10_7_1999.jpg (161796 bytes)

19D 3324 and its train have halted at Reverse 5 to wait for the point to be set for the road to Reverse 6. The line from Reverse 6 to the high veld and beyond to Reverse 7, is seen near the top of the picture; note the difference in height, clear indication of the gradients involved negotiating each reverse. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB07_5th_reverse_19D_3323_10_7_1999.txt matches

BEB08_5th-6th_rev_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.jpg (156995 bytes)

With the 19D propelling in reverse, the train makes its way over the S-bend between Reverses 5 and 6. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB08_5th-6th_rev_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.txt matches

BEB09_6th_reverse_tunnel.jpg (109258 bytes)

When the Aliwal North to Barkly East branch was being built there was a plan for a 230 foot (70m) tunnel to be driven from the end of Reverse 6. That would connect via a steel girder bridge over the river, with a track laid from Reverse 1 to the other side of the valley. In that way Reverse 1 - 6 would have been by-passed, but the bridge which, at 318 feet (97m) in height, would have been the highest on South African Railways, was not built. However, the Reverse 6 tunnel was, and it is seen here with the 1911 completion date clearly marked in the capstone. Never used, the tunnel was a refuge for among other creatures, scorpions and snakes! roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/misc/BEB09_6th_reverse_tunnel.txt matches

BEB10_near_New_England_double-S__1__19D_3323_10_7_1999.jpg (142422 bytes)

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BEB11_near_New_England_double-S__2__19D_3323_10_7_1999.jpg (161499 bytes)

After passing the camera the line took another S-bend, turning sharp right then quickly left to disappear behind a hill - such alignment was a common feature of the branchline. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB11_near_New_England_double-S__2__19D_3323_10_7_1999.txt matches

BEB12_New_England_19D_3323_10_7_1999.jpg (130359 bytes)

The station at New England was, for a number of years, terminus of the line from Aliwal North, before it continued, in 1930, through Reverses 7 and 8 to eventually reach Barkly East. Well before 1999, traffic had dwindled to almost nothing, with New England station being abandoned by the railway, but occupied by several native families. Here 19D 3324 arrives over the weed-grown tracks; later it will take water from the tank car left earlier by the diesel-hauled service train, for the final stage to Barkly East. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB12_New_England_19D_3323_10_7_1999.txt matches

BEB13_Tierkraans_Bridge_eastbound__Kraairivier__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.jpg (137233 bytes)

Having travelled down through Reverses 7 and 8 to the bottom of the Kraairivier valley, the line followed the north bank of the river to Tierkraans, where it crossed over by means of a bow-plate under-girder bridge of six-spans. 19D 3324 traverses the bridge just in time to catch the light of the lowering sun. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB13_Tierkraans_Bridge_eastbound__Kraairivier__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.txt matches

BEB14_above_Tierkraans_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.jpg (152623 bytes)

After crossing Tierkraans bridge, seen in the distance behind trees, the line climbed steeply by means of continuous S-bends, to emerge into the sunlight once again. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB14_above_Tierkraans_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__10_7_99.txt matches

BEB15_Barkly_East_approach19D_3323_10_7_1999.jpg (124371 bytes)

After rising and falling and always turning left or right, 19D 3324 nears Barkly East as the sun sets on 19th July 1999. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB15_Barkly_East_approach19D_3323_10_7_1999.txt matches

BEB16_Tierkraans_bridge_westbound__1_19D_3323_11_7_1999.jpg (136550 bytes)

On 11th July 1999, 19D 3324 again crosses the Tierkraans bridge in beautiful morning sunshine. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB16_Tierkraans_bridge_westbound__1_19D_3323_11_7_1999.txt matches

BEB17_Tierkraans_Bridge_westbound__2_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948___2__11_7_99.jpg (159166 bytes)

Curving sharply off the end of the bridge the train heads along the river bank for Reverse 8, on its way back to Aliwal North. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB17_Tierkraans_Bridge_westbound__2_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948___2__11_7_99.txt matches

BEB18_8th_reverse_approach_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__11_7_99.jpg (115405 bytes)

With the railway along the Kraairivier valley visible in the background, the train passes a warning board announcing the approach to Reverse 8. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB18_8th_reverse_approach_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__11_7_99.txt matches

BEB19_8th-7th_reverse_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__11_7_99.jpg (155570 bytes)

In a picture taken from above Reverse 8, locomotive 19D 3324 has just started to propel its train around the bend to the left, on a steep gradient with incurred much wheel-slip! Nevertheless, the 4-8-2 and its crew succeeded without too much trouble to arrive at Reverse 7, from where the train went forward to approach through the cleft in the rock, upper left and curve left to pass in front of the camera. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB19_8th-7th_reverse_19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__11_7_99.txt matches

BEB20_Drizzly__alt__6532ft_-_1991m__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__11_7_99.jpg (156040 bytes)

Between Reverses 7 and 6 the Barkly East branchline attained the second-highest summit on South African Railways. That was at the small halt of Drizzly, situated literally in the middle of nowhere, at an altitude of 6532 feet (1991m). roger.griffiths@hotmail.com Binary file /pix/ne/South_Africa/1067mm/steam/19/BEB20_Drizzly__alt__6532ft_-_1991m__19D_3323__NBL_26043_1948__11_7_99.txt matches