A Zulu woman harvests grass for her cow while below her a GMAM Garratt climbs towards Donnybrook. I previously posted a shot taken two days earlier at this same location, but running bunker first... (more)

A 25NC 4-8-4 going full bore is a grand sight. No. 3472 accelerates hard after crossing the bridge at Brandlaagte, making a run for the 2% grade to Sheridan.

Built in 1911, this NG4 class Pacific tank is one of the first seven narrow gauge (2' gauge) locomotives built for South Africa. Recently overhauled, today is its first run and it leaks a bit in ... (more)

The women in this village have to walk a half mile to obtain water for washing and cooking. These two ladies and their children oblige the photo line by pausing while a two foot gauge NGG16 Garra... (more)

To maintain a 2% maximum grade the Bethlehem line is a constant series of S curves. A double header, lead by 15F 3016 works hard into yet another curve before Sterkfontein, on the climb to Slabbe... (more)

How often do you get to see three mainline steam locomotives at one time? A 25NC 4-8-4 has just taken water and two 4-8-2's are heading to the other end of the yard to pick up their train.

The aloes are in bloom as 19D No. 2669 heads up the Ngwangwane Gorge towards Riverside on the never completed Durban to Capetown main line.

The rolling hills of Natal posed a challenge to the railroad builders in South Africa. GF Garratt 2380 works hard climbing the 3% grade (1 in 33) between Arnold's Hill and Baynesfield with a shor... (more)

This is very similar to an image posted earlier by Michael Allen, and provides an interesting comparison of digital (Mike's) versus film (this one). I probably shot my last role of film on this t... (more)

Class 25NC 3472 hustles a freight train past the butte at Sekonyela in blazing glint lighting.

While the large GMA Garratt's worked the main lines in Natal, the branch lines were served by the smaller GF class Garratt. No. 2380 climbs out of the sugar cane fields just before Arnold's Hill.

The sun is barely over the horizon, the temperature is near freezing, and the air is still as 15F (4-8-2) 2056 doubleheads with 25NC (4-8-4) 3472 in this recreation of the overnight train from Blo... (more)

Until the end of steam in 1987, 25NC's handled both freight and passenger trains on the Bethlehem line. No. 3472 climbs away from Slabberts with a train load of coal, water and liquid fertilizer ... (more)

Before the 25NC's took over, 15CA 4-8-2's ruled the Bethlehem line. ALCO built No. 2056 turns back the clock nearly 50 years as it climbs away from Slabberts.

In the still morning air, the steam trail hangs above the rails as a 25NC climbs away from Fouriesburg with this recreation of the Bloemfontein to Bethlehem overnight passenger.