The Class 7E1's were designed by Hitachi and built by Dorbyl. The lead unit of this threesome, ready to set off to Mpumalanga with empty coal wagons, is still in its original SAR livery.
The big boys of the Richards Bay coal line. Four dusty Class 11E's are ready to depart further inland with about 200 empty coal wagons.
Still sporting its original SAR paint. Unlike most South African electric locomotives, the Class 7E1 has a cab at one end only. Also, the left and right sides are different in appearance.
An inbound loaded ore train nears the end of the route at Saldanha. Electric and diesel power are in use on most ore trains at the moment.
An empty ore train catches the late afternoon sun on the viaduct through Elandsbaai.
Sishen-Saldanha iron ore trains generally comprise of 216 100-tonne cars. Diesel traction is often used to augment the 9E electrics currently being refurbished.
During the Anglo-Boer war the railroad dependent British Army built blockhouses to protect this bridge and several others against attacks from Boer commandos. This bridge and its blockhouse (off ... (more)
Waiting in the yard for the next assignment
Doing a quick inspection while waiting for a meet at Graspan siding, some 60 kilometres south of Kimberley.
Heading the world famous "Blue Train" on another luxury journey from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth...