The Grime Side Of The Force indeed Jean-Marc Frybourg! I photographed Class 18E Series 2 locomotive, 18-645 (pictured here at Boughton Station in Pietermaritzburg), as a brand new locomotive shortly after delivery from Koedoespoort / Pretoria in Durban in January 2012 - see Photo ID: 488396, what a contrast! The truth is, that apart from a few strategic areas and the windows on the faces / cab ends of the locomotives, there is almost no official organised program or scheduled washing of South African locomotives in the Transnet Freight Rail and PRASA fleets. That being said, and I think I speak for all the South African rail photographers, it is really a tremendous joy and there is much excitement (relief even) around when "clean" or freshly painted motive power does actually present itself in front of the camera.
