Almost twenty years after the end of regular steam on this line, Reefsteamers re-creates the old days at sunset on Sterkfontein farm.
Trailing a steam plume almost as long as the train, No 3016 pilots Class 25NC 4-8-4 No 3472. The train was operated by Reefsteamers and charted by Steam Loco Safaris.
Double-heading was common on the old South African Railways, but seldom happened in 2007. This event was the highlight of steam operations in South Africa in 2007.
The broadside view shows the outsized tender that this 15F acquired from a class 23.
The last rays of the setting sun reflect off the smoke box of this special working. The photographers only just made it to this spot - we were waiting further down the line.
Reefsteamers 15F takes on water from the river below Fouriesburg Station. The tender is from a class 23. When these engines were take out of service many donated their larger tenders to 15Fs. T... (more)
Most South African Railways steam locomotives were painted black. 3016 was an exception. She was painted dark blue in the early 1990s and Reefsteamers continues to operate her in this colour. H... (more)
Two of the steam locomotives operated by Reesteamers work past the old watering point at Bethal Station on a train chartered by Steam Loco Safaris, on a cold winter's morning.
