South African Railways 25NC 3488 struggles up Bhershoek bank 1990(Ron Cousins)

Here we see a clip taken in 1990 of a class 25NC no 3488 struggling up the 1in80 Bhershoek Bank just north of De Aar in South Africa. The clip was taken by Ron Cousins who I unfortunately have lost contact with (Ron if you see the clip please contact me) We were booked to return back to Kimberley light engine but just as we were about to depart De Aar we heard that two diesels had failed and that we were to take their heavy load of grain. With the temp as low as -6 Celsius and us being the first train over the section that day meant we were in for a struggle. The line was simply just ice and our sand had iced up so it was simply up to us to do our best. I as fireman was running ahead placing sand onto the line for traction while the driver did his best to control the locomotive. Too much power and she would spin, too little and she would simply stall! As we headed onto the 1in100 the driver manages to get up some extra speed before hitting the 1in80 again near the summit where she is still struggling but going much faster. This wonderful locomotive is now preserved and is stationed in the old Germiston steam shed near Johannesburg in the careful hands of Reefsteamers.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 25NC
• 3488
• struggles
• up
• Bhershoek
• bank
• 1990Ron
• Cousins

[NN2Blue]

What a brilliant video! Thanks for sharing!

Mike

[LifeofRail]

@NN2Blue Mike, I still love watching that clip myself even though it was touching go if we would make it or not. Thank goodness we made the summit. The good old days as I say!!

Richard

[Dampfossi]

Great video scenes; thank you so much for sharing them!!!

[ralph5407]

What a great performance by the driver, a real struggle but succeeding in the end.

[HughFromAlice]

4.3 to 1 :-) 25NCs: IMO just about the best steam engines ever built (and brillilantly modified!!)

[ron8197]

Great video showing good driving to keep moving at the limit of adhesion

[garthvictor]

Awesome!



[Reggyrail]

Now that is driving....

[4marbledog]

Beautiful

[pizotjeannoel]

wonedful ..........

good holiday season and soon for new rail videos

jean noel