Trainman's Past Trains

[John Ashworth]

Photos and captions by Nathan Berelowitz

1.

The last class of steam to operate on this Zimbabwe corridor, were the class 25NC. Having replaced the struggling GMAM garratts prior to this, once the heavy track from Vryburg to Mafeking was laid, the NC class ruled. Here, on a sleepy Sunday, a member of the class hauls its load up the steep grades from Vryburg. In a few hours, the load will have reached Mafeking and then onwards to Zimbabwe. 1983

2.

The Saturday afternoon Cullinan train powers up to Loftus Verseveld station from Walker street. This popular train, never had a regular locomotive until pressure on the loco foreman, by local enthusiasts, got a variety of different and clean locomotives up front. 1977

3.

THIS IS 19D 3360 STILL IN SAR SERVICE BEFORE ENDING UP AT ROVOS RAIL

[Nathan Berelowitz]

How time flies. It is like yesterday I took the photos. Rovos Rail ended up with 3360 now withdrawn from service. The NC class are all history except for the preserved stuff. The Cullinan branch however is still served by steam. That Saturday afternoon local was really great to ride and a pleasure to fire.