The Great South African Steam Festival 1991

For five days in 1991, the South African railways featured their steam locomotives on their mainline from Kimberly to De Aar in a celebration called the Great 1991 Steam Festival. This would be the last display of these magnificent locomotives before steam would be replaced by diesel power. Join us as we visit Beaconsfield, the last operational steam shed in South Africa. Watch high-stepping steam locomotives charge down the narrow-gauge mainline on continuous welded rail with concrete ties. Wander with us around Orange River, and watch steam being serviced and the exciting activity of arriving and departing trains. Dont miss this last hurrah for South African steam power!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Steam locomotives
• trains
• railroads
• foreign railroads

[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.

[spoorus]

@ALEJANDROVICCO 1067 mm

[7822welshsteam]

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

[ALEJANDROVICCO]

What gauge??

[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!