I came from Windhoek in SWA (Now Namibia) via De Aar to attend university and was always chuffed to be behind the 25 class steamers from 1973 to 1976. Traveling companions could never understand me hanging out the window to listen to the steam talk. Steam was gone in SWA in 1961 when I went to school. Did travel from Gobabis to Luderitz via Windhoek and Keetmanshoop return behind stem in 1960 to visit my Godparents. My godfather was second in charge at the harbour at the time. Also unforgettable.
@@andrewjohnson7500 SAR Steam locos were/ are magnificent: big fireboxes, big boilers, excellent cab layouts, mechanically advanced masters of the job. The SAR ‘look’ especially of later designs is also unique to South Africa and ruggedly attractive, I have to admit they were better thought out and more forward looking than British locos of the same vintage…. Yet many of the finest locos such as 25NCs were built in Glasgow, UK! The LMS CME said SAR 24 Class were the best steam locomotives ever built.
Wonderful. We used to have a VHS produced by SAR about the construction of it's successor train in the early 70s. If anyone has it to upload please share.
The train in the clip is the old Blue Train which was sadly withdrawn in the late 70s.The new train was commissioned early 70s and lasted until a few weeks ago where it was finally taken out of service due to safety. It has had quite a few accidents recently. Passenger trains in SA are now virtually a thing of the past
I came from Windhoek in SWA (Now Namibia) via De Aar to attend university and was always chuffed to be behind the 25 class steamers from 1973 to 1976. Traveling companions could never understand me hanging out the window to listen to the steam talk. Steam was gone in SWA in 1961 when I went to school. Did travel from Gobabis to Luderitz via Windhoek and Keetmanshoop return behind stem in 1960 to visit my Godparents. My godfather was second in charge at the harbour at the time. Also unforgettable.
The stuff dreams are made of. A magnficent history all but completely destroyed.
Priceless
Fully agree, a tremendous reminder of what railways were in SA.
@@andrewjohnson7500 SAR Steam locos were/ are magnificent: big fireboxes, big boilers, excellent cab layouts, mechanically advanced masters of the job. The SAR ‘look’ especially of later designs is also unique to South Africa and ruggedly attractive, I have to admit they were better thought out and more forward looking than British locos of the same vintage…. Yet many of the finest locos such as 25NCs were built in Glasgow, UK!
The LMS CME said SAR 24 Class were the best steam locomotives ever built.
Wonderful. We used to have a VHS produced by SAR about the construction of it's successor train in the early 70s. If anyone has it to upload please share.
Apparently the train resumes regular service this year!
The train in the clip is the old Blue Train which was sadly withdrawn in the late 70s.The new train was commissioned early 70s and lasted until a few weeks ago where it was finally taken out of service due to safety. It has had quite a few accidents recently. Passenger trains in SA are now virtually a thing of the past