African steam train - South Africa Part Three 1972

This the third 8mm cine film reel shot by Mike Grieves in 1972. It is part of the Train Bytes series of railway films on TH-cam from SVS Film. Commentary is by Mike Grieves himself, with several maps to aid placing locations.
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Graaff Reinet to Rosmead line
01:37 Middelburg
01:57 Lootsberg Pass
05:08 Rosmead to Middelburg
05:44 Mossel Bay Express
08:00 Class 19D 4-8-2
10:39 Freight train at Middelburg
11:04 Car pacing a double header
16:59 Rosmead to Stormberg line
17:31 Kraankuil to De Aar line
17:45 25NC 4-8-4 condensing tender
18:07 Class 25NC 4-8-4 with conventional tender

[@keithstamper3648]

Thank you so much posting these great films. I was born and raised in South Africa. I grew up around trains in the 1950's as my grandfather and father worked for SAR and also Rhodesia Railways. My grandfather was assistant Superintendent of the Natal division reporting to Mr J.D.White. My father was a coach builder in Durban and later in Bulawayo. You mention Soul of A Railway. I have spent so many hours going through this fabulous collection of photos. I am now in my mid 70's and live in North America. I so enjoy watching your films. Thanks! sincerely.

[@rudolfhough6226]

Just great!!

[@svsfilm]

So glad you enjoyed the film - makes it worthwhile scanning, editing etc.

[@thomaslusk7621]

Thank you so much for sharing this film , Some of the best shots of the Kimberly - DeAar line I've ever seen!

[@svsfilm]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ronfisher2-railwaytravelvideos]

It's quite mind blowing to think that 50 years have gone by since we were on that trip!

[@svsfilm]

Thanks for watching the film - glad you enjoyed it.

[@geoffreyford7288]

The 19B's were built in 1930 so as the loco's were normally on 11 year tickets at that time, they were classed as unstandard so by 1975 they were retired. No 1412 was plinths at Middleburg, it was rescued and placed back in service by the Ceres Rail Company after overhall at Vooi Bay. It still a coal burner while the CRC 19D's are oil burners. GMA garretts took over but were replaced by Diesel by 1977. The Class 25 came in two batches 50 Non Codensers ordered from North British while 90 Condenser from Henshal Germany, however, Henshal couldn't cope so sub contracted to North British. Henshal built the first one and sent it to NB it also built many of the tenders while NB built the Loco and some tenders. The 25 had two problems which soon made them selves known, the first was the engines had split crosshead while soon picked up tumbleweed and a modification was quickly made to top slides only, the last 5 came out of NB with this modification, there is a works photo. North British then made the parts and sent them to SA. Also the main rods didn't have knuckle joints in them and this was again modified by NB parts. Two other points the gradient was nearer 1 in 33 towards the top of the Loots urge and I was pulled by 3333 between Oudtshoorn and Klipplaat in 1979.

[@svsfilm]

Many thanks for your very informative comments and for watching the film.