South African Railways 15CA 2056 starts away from Magalies 30-08-08.MOD

[dwkcamman611]

Excellent!!!!

[WayneSA85]

She in beautiful condition, top marks to the yard crew that take care of her!

[ron8197]

Excellent driving at the limit of adhesion raw power

[CondeTERRAN0VA]

Needs sand in the rail

[tom32139]

nice very nice

[arkansastrash320]

Excelent traction control by the engineer nice....

[LifeofRail]

Many a driver would have simply stood there slipping and sliding and getting nowhere. This chap done just as he should have and let the loco just take its time and leave the regulator just cracked open. As my old driver always said "never force a steam locomotive"

[SteffanLlwyd]

@LifeofRail Like motorcycling done really well, it looks beautiful to see a driver get hold of the train in such a controlled way. The crew look completely relaxed and on top of things. Fine locomotive too. South African Steam really showed what could be done with coal rather than oil.

[sognol]

From one hogger to another well done sir. Shows what a professional steam man can do when he knows his loco and knows his abilities

[omahas9000]

Thanks so much for posting! I SO wish I could have made my way to SA in the glory days. Even now would be wonderful. Please keep these coming.

[SwingTheDoor]

Hi Richard. What a great job the driver on this engine did to lift the load without the sands working. I remember 15CA 2054 which is now cut up i believe, on the Kei Explorer out of Jo'berg in 1989. What an immaculate engine it was, and didn't it roar!! I've got a video of it doing a runpast at Mpilisweni i think, and i will eventually post it along with my other videos. Peter

[LifeofRail]

Hi Peter

So You remember our pride and joy 2054. That loco was just great to work on. I must have met you before as I was on the Kei Explorer also with my old mate John. That sure was a great trip. If only we could turn back time.

[SwingTheDoor]

Hi Richard,  No doubt we did run into each other on the Kei Explorer. And yes it was a great trip! The clip i have posted of the 16E was at the run past at Immigrant i think early in the morning. As for the trip, can you remember where or on which line the GMAM Garratt slipped to a stand in the drizling rain?

[Engineer5344]

boy i wish i was there when you guys scared off those passengers. well if i was the driver of that 15ca i would of backed the train down and get a running start for the bank. just to avoid all the wear and tear on the locomotive's traction tires. but man i need to get out there. who knows how much longer south africa will continue to run steam in daily frieght and passenger service.

[LifeofRail]

Talking of noise from these 15CAs, once we were working one between Johannesburg and Pretoria with a goods. We approached a station which was full to its limit with passengers awaiting their train. We were approaching a red signal and so the regulator was shut.Just then as we pass through the platform the signal changed to green.Driver opened the reg full and the sudden noise was deafening.People ran with shock with the sudden noise and the whole place shook,it was just so funny.Was great sound!

[Engineer5344]

you know, if they are equipped with radios. the driver should of contacted the dispatcher and asked if he could hold traffic behind him. so he could back the train down a little ways. and then get a running start for the hill

[LifeofRail]

That day the driver was given the option to reverse back and take a run for the bank but he said he would manage it without a run. He also had no working sand so done well to get up that bank. Like any steam loco just give her some steam and let her take her time and normally they will get up any bank.

[LifeofRail]

Oh Yes, those 15CAs had the best bark I have ever heard from any steam locomotive on this planet. They were for a time banned from certain lines during the hours of dark because they were so noisy. Magic machines!!!

[Engineer5344]

well thats the joy of them, unlike diesel's which are soo quiet. steam makes noise, for all to see and hear. now the way this locomotive was barking is what i like. hard like a boulder. when a steam engine makes a soft touchy bark like tut tut tut. thats whimpy.

[Engineer5344]

now thats what i call stack talk