The first diesel electrics to operate in South Africa were 45 Class 31’s (GE U12B), delivered to the South African Railways from the USA in 1958. Fifty two years later, three class 31’s survive in service with Sheltam. Originally built with high short hoods, these locomotives have been rebuilt with rather bulbous looking low hoods. The original class 31, 31-001, is now numbered 1201 in the Sheltam fleet and is seen here at Cooke Plant loco depot on the Rand Uranium system at Randfontein, west of Johannesburg. Behind the 1201 are two of Sheltam's brand new GE Brazil C30-EMP's, still under wraps while they await a work assignment.
