@jmcvlam I never knew many of the De Aar drivers but for sure I do remember the name Boet Viljoen!! I think he was on diesels long before the end of steam if im correct.
Steam was so much more reliable and cheaper to run than diesels in SA and thats the reason it lasted so much longer. A 25NC could do the same work as two large diesels and at a quarter of the cost. The 25s were also much better express passenger locos than any diesel on SAR
Too bad that management wasn't thinking straight Richard i mean why replace a good steam loco like the class 25NC or even the Class 25C you can imagine them running at up to 75mph on the straight
Excuse me Lifeofrail but your name wouldn't be Richard Niven by any chance would it if so then i have a doco in my collection that features both you and John Gilberthorpe in it in this case driving Class 26 No 3450 otherwise known as "The Red Devil" the documentary is called Steam Fever
How did you guess its me Richard Niven?? Yes John Gilberthorpe and I were great mates on the steam and still are. That video with us on the Red Devil is magical but where I got that stupid hair from is beyond me, haha. I love the bit where we were flying at mighty speed through Poupan. That was about the fastest ever on a SAR loco!
How i guesses well when you said something about John Gilberthorpe i instantly thought he's Richard Niven my favorite part in Steam Fever was Sunrise over the Great Karoo which was where almost all the documentary focused on such oh and also how all those railfans tried dodging through "The Dreaded South African barb wire fence"LOL
Oh yes, those railfans jumping fences and racing for their cars and then racing the train was really something else to watch from the cab. I remember one railfan who was having a footplate ride with us. He kept touching the controls and getting in the way. John simply stopped the train and sent him on his way right out in the African bush. Hell only knows where he ever ended up but we never saw him again!!
Well that's what happens when an amateur gets in the way of a fully trained driver John knew what he was doing he obviously didn't need any interference but i heard that some people went to SA just to drive steam locomotives yourself and John included
Stunning machine......mechanical stoker, 300km on a full tank and all on 1 metre gauge...awesome. Thanks for sharing this finale, shame its not to run in revenue service again.
Great video! 5* I knew of South African condenser locos, I had sen various photos, and I guessed they would sound a little different - but I didn't know y how much! Hope the preservation people are looking after her well!
That sure was John Gilberthorpe, he and I were a team together for many years and had some fantastic trips working steam together. One of the best steam drivers I ever knew!
Historic footage. Great stuff. I only wish I'd been able to witness the real thing. I suppose we'll never hear that amazing sound again. Thanks for posting Rich.
Is this Richard Niven? Awesome story about firing on this last run.
Vintage1976 4 weeks ago
@Vintage1976 What ever makes you think i'm Richard Niven??? Your right it sure is me. Enjoy
LifeofRail 3 weeks ago
@LifeofRail I read a story about you learning to fire this Condensing engine on the fly. It was a great story!
Vintage1976 3 weeks ago
Did you know Boet Viljoen on De Aar?
jmcvlam 6 months ago
@jmcvlam I never knew many of the De Aar drivers but for sure I do remember the name Boet Viljoen!! I think he was on diesels long before the end of steam if im correct.
LifeofRail 6 months ago
Thanks for posting the vid, they were great machines.
WigzellRM 6 months ago
Though i'm surprised that Steam in South Africa lasted as long as it did In Australia steam's reign ended roughly twenty years earlier around 1973
DKS225 2 years ago
Steam was so much more reliable and cheaper to run than diesels in SA and thats the reason it lasted so much longer. A 25NC could do the same work as two large diesels and at a quarter of the cost. The 25s were also much better express passenger locos than any diesel on SAR
LifeofRail 2 years ago
Too bad that management wasn't thinking straight Richard i mean why replace a good steam loco like the class 25NC or even the Class 25C you can imagine them running at up to 75mph on the straight
DKS225 2 years ago
Excuse me Lifeofrail but your name wouldn't be Richard Niven by any chance would it if so then i have a doco in my collection that features both you and John Gilberthorpe in it in this case driving Class 26 No 3450 otherwise known as "The Red Devil" the documentary is called Steam Fever
DKS225 2 years ago
How did you guess its me Richard Niven?? Yes John Gilberthorpe and I were great mates on the steam and still are. That video with us on the Red Devil is magical but where I got that stupid hair from is beyond me, haha. I love the bit where we were flying at mighty speed through Poupan. That was about the fastest ever on a SAR loco!
LifeofRail 2 years ago
How i guesses well when you said something about John Gilberthorpe i instantly thought he's Richard Niven my favorite part in Steam Fever was Sunrise over the Great Karoo which was where almost all the documentary focused on such oh and also how all those railfans tried dodging through "The Dreaded South African barb wire fence"LOL
DKS225 2 years ago
Oh yes, those railfans jumping fences and racing for their cars and then racing the train was really something else to watch from the cab. I remember one railfan who was having a footplate ride with us. He kept touching the controls and getting in the way. John simply stopped the train and sent him on his way right out in the African bush. Hell only knows where he ever ended up but we never saw him again!!
LifeofRail 2 years ago
Comment removed
DKS225 2 years ago
Well that's what happens when an amateur gets in the way of a fully trained driver John knew what he was doing he obviously didn't need any interference but i heard that some people went to SA just to drive steam locomotives yourself and John included
DKS225 2 years ago
Yes correct.......its the EAR that was 1 metre......and still is!!
1teaboy 2 years ago
Sorry boys, the South African rail gauge is 3 feet six inches or 1067 millimetres.
a47en 2 years ago
Stunning machine......mechanical stoker, 300km on a full tank and all on 1 metre gauge...awesome. Thanks for sharing this finale, shame its not to run in revenue service again.
1teaboy 2 years ago
Great video
pwalpar 2 years ago
A fascinating and well taken video. Superb locomotives seen at their best in the hands of professionals...5* Bob
robmasterman 2 years ago
Great video! 5* I knew of South African condenser locos, I had sen various photos, and I guessed they would sound a little different - but I didn't know y how much! Hope the preservation people are looking after her well!
Thank you for sharing! - Mike
NN2Blue 2 years ago
The clouds of steam at the beginning of the video suggest steam wastage! (Only joking) What steam is being conserved?
rwemyss1 2 years ago
That sure was John Gilberthorpe, he and I were a team together for many years and had some fantastic trips working steam together. One of the best steam drivers I ever knew!
LifeofRail 2 years ago
absolutely awesome footage Rich
andrewgiffen 2 years ago
Great Stuff Richard. Was John Gilberthorpe your driver there. It looked like him?
transkaroo 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this Richard!
What was the fastest speed you ever travelled on a 25NC working or on any SAR Loco throughout your SAR career?
Cheers
Bryn
foreversteam 2 years ago
Historic footage. Great stuff. I only wish I'd been able to witness the real thing. I suppose we'll never hear that amazing sound again. Thanks for posting Rich.
Crosshead1 2 years ago
This is award winning footage Rich!
Thanks for shearing
thesteamshed 2 years ago