Trans Karoo Express September 1996

[foreversteam]

Aren't you supposed to open the blowdowns while going through a station? ;)

[ldr]

Hehe! I remember that Potch station so well. Was at Berede and one of the guys with us decided after two months the army was not for him and legged it to England. Sat at the station waiting for the train when he left for Joburg! Got a postcard a month later.

[kevingthompson13]

If it werent for the illuminati and the world oil cartel places like China, US, and South Africa could still be running steam cheaply and effectively.It went down hard in the UK and some steam still ran into the 70s.In the eastern US mountain ranges almost 100% of haulage was coal so it was readily available at low cost. Same was/is case in Mongolia where steam was famous until last olympics.Where coal is prevelent, not running steam is stupid.DONT TELL THE OIL GODS THIS.

[artabanes]

Brings back great memories. Took the TransKaroo from Capetown to Jo'burg in jan 1995. Two electric locos out of Capetown, two diesels from De Aar to Kimberley, had no idea that I would wake up next morning to the smell of steam with two 25NC pulling the train from Klerksdorp to Jo'burg!

[tom32139]

great video very nice rhanks

[oomblikkies]

Daar was die Trans Karoo tussen Pretoria en Kaapstad en dan die Oranje Snel tussen Durban en Kaapstad via Bloemfontein.

[1teaboy]

Excellent footage SF, you captured those 25's perfectly, the cab footage especially so!! Is this footage available on any DVD?

Thanks for posting and where are you based?? 10/10 . Superb.

[nixops]

Wonderful. We have lost so much when we stopped using locos like this. They had character and beauty. Long may they live in our memory.

[lusagra]

Ha fet vostè un documental extraordinari. M'agraden molt els trens de vapor i he gaudit molt veient aquest vídeo. Moltes gràcies per compartir-lo.

You have done an extraordinary documentary. I really like the steam trains and I really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you for sharing it.

*****

Lluís.

[MegaBloubul]

Pragtig man !

[NN2Blue]

Excellent video - 5*. Thanks for sharing. Mike

[jmcvlam]

Another question, how do steam engine drivers co-ordinate two or more locos at a time?

[steamfreak3450]

Either with whistle signals or by the second driver following the lead of the first. Both drivers would generally know the road, and would know when power is needed. Braking was done by the front loco only.

[jmcvlam]

I grew up in the Karoo, late 60s, early 70s, and there were these huge locos with condensors on the sides. What class was this, 26? Do you have footage of them? Do you have footage of the narrow gauge that ran between Estcourt and Weenen?

[thesteamshed]

WOW! Now that is a real BLAST from the past! Real goose-flesh stuff, that I miss!

[cuzinitr]

Great video! 5/5  Rich

[transkaroo]

That was brilliant Steamfreak. Judging by the 3450 you must also be a Red Devil fan. Please submit more SAR stuff if you have. I hope your camera was not damaged.

Regards

Stefan

Cape Town

[steamfreak3450]

No more damage than a few scratches - luckily...

[foreversteam]

Hey Trev,

Absolutely top video - amazing footage!! Thanks for uploading, please let me know when you compile another video.

Bryn

[steamfreak3450]

Did you get the DVDs I sent you ages ago?

[foreversteam]

Yes I did, Thanks a million - Some of the best SAR footage I have on disc thanks to you - Top man! Hope you like the Livesteam Discs I sent you?

Cheers

Bryn

[will409]

What a way to finish the video, have either ash or water drop all over the camera.

[steamfreak3450]

:-) The fireman was saving time I guess by cleaning fire on the road!