The Great South African Steam Festival 1991

[SteffanLlwyd]

Given South Africa's coal reserves the switch to electric traction makes sense, but surely not to diesel power.... Can't believe that diesel is more economic than steam in a South African context. SA loses its 'energy security' that way. National Strategic error?

[kenbrowne1947]

First time I've seen a class 25 condensing in action, fantastic! Am I correct in thinking most of these class 25 locos were built at North British Loco Co in Glasgow? One of the NCs has been returned to Glasgow and is now on permanent display in our new riverside museum of transport. Ta for upload. Ken

[eastsidewillie]

Magnificent! I'm an American and I'm impressed! the 4-8-4 class locomotives remind me of the New York Central's S-1 Niagara, with their smoke deflectors and roller bearing side rods. Beautiful.

[kykdaar]

Being a SAR offspring (Grandfather and Father) I have traveled many 1000's of KM throughout t South Africa - esp. KZN where I would often hitch a ride on the locomotive - often between several towns - as a 5-7 year old kid. One of our fun things to do was to ride in the cars and clamber from one to another as the train and trucks sped along through the cane-fields.

[7822welshsteam]

Love SAR steam engines. Probarbly the most advanced in the world.

[ALEJANDROVICCO]

What gauge??

[spoorus]

@ALEJANDROVICCO 1067 mm

[huettmr]

so are all these steam engines going to be scrapped or are they going to preserve a few select?

[DKS225]

Fantastic work with this clip especially with No 3511 the last working example of a class 25c different from a class 25nc in that it was a condensing loco meaning it reused it's own steam and condensed it back into water by means of a turbine powered fan in the smokebox hence why it sounds like a jet engine

[TheXtremeEnthusiast]

Fantastic locos!

[SteffanLlwyd]

Man! All that coal reserve, the skills and the promise of The Red Devil, and still the switch to diesels. I could never understand why!

[amtraklover]

I read an article about his years ago. Apparently alot of engines had problems with bad coal yet they still preformed regardless.

[andywatson55]

Why are the steamers vanishing from the face of the earth?

[thesteamshed]

Thanks for sharing!

This stuff comes from the top shelf! Brilliant!!!

[Isochest]

Bloody brilliant:-)))))

[LifeofRail]

Great stuff, thanks for that. I remember that week very well indeed.