Beyer Garratt working at Hwange mine, Zimbabwe

Beyer Garratt ex-RR/ NRZ class 15A No.392 now working as WCC No.10 between the colliery at Hwange and the main line at Thomson Junction in June 1998. The footage shows trains of coke and coal being hauled down to the exchange sidings at TJ, and empties being brought back up the grade to the mine complex.

[@wheelsdown1]

I came across four of these monsters dumped on a siding in SA outside Krugersdorp. Amazing, seeing all that decaying power.

[@TrainsInRomania]

Unique and wonderful footage! :)

[@oldsyphilitic]

@GMCobh Beyer Garratts were remarkable locomotives and it is gratifying to know that a few still operate. I have fond memories of Beyer Peacock's factory on the other side of the line to Gorton shed in Manchester. Even then, the Garratts were a thing of the past but at least that is where they were made. The 3'6" Garratt from Zimbabwe at the Manchester Museum of Technology is truly a monster. I believe the most powerful Garratt was produced for the Soviet Union back in the 30s.

[@Isochest]

I think the Garratts helped keep electrification back as long as they could in South Africa. In the long run, electrification is the key for all railways and will prevail after Peak Oil. Africa has an exciting time of growth and hopefully improvement for all especially it's most vulnerable citizens low on the food chain

[@06blueGTOGUYinwv]

What an awesome train!

[@GMCobh]

@kevinjohnmorris I agree. It seems loading gauge does indeed matter, at least up to a certain point, and this never ceases to surprise me. (Like Brunel, my instincts are that broad gauge is more stable).
Those Garretts seem - to me - to be even more of a special design than the Mallets.

[@Isochest]

Is that the roster of active steam in Zim today? If so absolutely fascinating! That's a hell of a lot of steam nowadays:-)))

[@Bahnchef1994]

Nice film.

[@MrSteeleye]

Double acting simple....not compound. A compound uses the steam more than once. Wheel arrangement is 4-6-4+4-6-4 or double hudson. The gauge is 3ft6ins or 1076mm which is the same as South Africa, Tasmania, Western Australia,Queensland and Japan. There are quite a few others. The articulation at each end allows the loco to negotiate tight curves unlike the articulation of American locos. I've just checked Hwange Coal's web site and shows seven,yes thats 7 steamers still operating

[@blackenmetallic]

You would think a Garrett's tractive effort would change due to the fluxuation of water and coal over the drivers.

[@7822welshsteam]

There are 31 of these Garratts left. There are another 36 Garratts of varying sizes. There are 5 industrial tank engines knocking around. There's 1 pacific left. There are 4 SAR class 7s. There are also 3 narrow gauge (2 foot) engines left - 2 Lawleys and a well-tank. I could give you a more comprehensive list if you would like.

[@endoftheline774]

I know I’m replying late but one of those Narrow gauges are in Australia

[@psycotria]

It looks like it has been over-fired. Is that the term? So much steam going to waste through the safety valve.
Is there anybody with knowledge of how many steamers are still surviving in Zimbabwe? I would think that labor to maintain and operate them would be plentiful, while modern locomotives, parts and knowhow would be very hard to come by.

[@duxberry1958]

the gauge should be 3 foot .. i lived in wankie in the 1960,s i once walked to the station i was only 7 i think at the time it was quite a walk ...

[@phwbooth]

Made in Gorton, Manchester.

[@buxton4472]

Yes - we made things then!

[@duxberry1958]

WANKIE