Garratts in Zimbabwe Part Two

[981smithy]

Very atmospheric opening scene Ralph and the footplate ride must have been a incredible experience.

Cheers Phil.

[ralph5407]

@981smithy Yes Phil some experience, and as the days went by it got even better and the countryside more scenic.

[ralph5407]

@justtakeiteasy But you are right shovelling coal into a hard working Garratt in the African summer must be some tough job. When the vid was taken it was winter, so the highest temp we had was about 30 C.

[ralph5407]

@justtakeiteasy You have to remember in the early days the London Underground did use steam engines..

[duxberry1958]

my dad for the RR ways

[duxberry1958]

thanks brought back some very good memories , i lived in salisbury , bulawayo , wankie, broken hill , joburgh and cape town cheers

[ralph5407]

@duxberry1958  Good to hear that, it was some experience.

[robmasterman]

Another cracking video Ralph, best seat in the house, and great news that they've realised the potential of steam as a revenue earner...Bob

[tatinist]

muy buenos los tres excelente gracias albert

[ralph5407]

@tatinist Gracias Albert bueno oír de usted otra vez. 

[thunderchild21]

The Garrat was certainly giving out some thrash! Great video Ralph.

Jeff

[ralph5407]

@thunderchild21  Thanks Jeff, it seemed that the driver was determined to have a last gallop as he neared home, but the best is yet to come, processing part 4 now.

[acw71000]

Great stuff again, superb shots on the footplate. I had assumed these locos were oil fired but I suppose the economic problems rule that out. Pity the 'little' Garretts on the WHR don't give such great smoke displays.

[ralph5407]

@acw71000 It was interesting to note that they had trainee firemen aboard so perhaps they have realised that these locos can be a tourist attraction, and new crews need to be brought on.

[ralph5407]

@stephengthompson This was the first time I'd had chance to get close to a working Garratt and you cannot get much closer than a crowded footplate. It was a fantastic trip and Geoff Cookes organisation was brilliant.

[noelist]

So that's where you've been hiding, only ever saw one garratt when I was 7 or 8 years old, I'm amazed its hand shoveled, thought they had coal pushers, they certainly seem to take great care of the loco, taking notes on the way etc, can't wait to see the rest of this set, thanks.

[ralph5407]

@noelist Thanks Leon, it seems that they were all hand fired, as to taking care I'm afraid taking notes did nothing to help the mulitude of leaks that all three had. Still suffering from Zim Flu so progress with the rest is going to be slow.