Friends of the Rails two beautifully maintained classic SAR branch line locomotives approach the diamond town with the anniversary train.
This was Friends of the Rail's first train of the season, following the serious derailment of their 15F No 3117 near this spot in June. The first blush of the southern hemisphere spring is eviden... (more)
The rear driving wheel of Friends of the Rail Class 24 is lit by the first rays of the rising sun.
Typical of suburban workings of days gone by, this train approaches the diamond town of Cullinan. The vehicle behind the engine is a cooler van. Water from the tanks on the roof was run slowly d... (more)
The Class 15CA was one of the first South African locomotive designs that owed more to American than British practice. They were built by Alco, while the earlier 15CB was built by Baldwin. Here ... (more)
As a double headed train leaves Cullinan Village (19D 2650, followed by 15F 3117), the engines lean into the curve as they work up steam on the grade out. Cullinan has a large diamond mine, wh... (more)
Exiting Cullinan....
What a way to end a rail tour of South Africa! On the last morning of the tour, an ALCO built 15CA class 4-8-2 charges past the photo line with the diamond mines at Cullinan in the background.
A class 24 Berskshire has just crested the grade and is dropping down toward Cullinan. The 24th class 2-8-4's were used all over South Africa on lightly built branch lines. Here we see No. 3664 ... (more)
15CA No. 2056, an Alco 4-8-2, climbs the steep grade out of Cullinan, with the diamond mines in the background. 15CA's worked 6 car passenger trains on this line until 1984 and Steam Loco Safari'... (more)
