The Last Working Steam Loco’s in South Africa

[DSY011]

The Last Working Steam Loco’s in South Africa

There are just three steam locos in constant work in South Africa now. They are the three Class19D’s that are owned by Sappi Saiccor at Umkomaas in Natal. Taking it in turn on a monthly turn around, one will do an 8 hour shift hauling Timber, lime stone and coal, the second loco will be on standby while the third will be in ‘Wash Out’ where routine maintenance will be done. The loco’s use about 20-25 ton of coal per week.
The national railway ‘Spoornet’ bring the loads to a siding near Umkomaas. The 19Ds will then pick up the load and deliver it to the Saiccor plant, and remove the empties back to the siding. They also take loaded wagons out to the sidings with the products for export.
All three locos were purchased from Spoornet, and are all imports. Loco No1 (the one in my photos) was built in 1938 by Borsig and had the Spoornet number 2697. Loco No2 was also built in 1938, but was built by Skoda. Its Spoornet number was 2633. Loco number 3 was built by Robertson & Stephenson Hawthorn in 1947 and was numbered 2767 on the national railway.
Saiccor say that they will keep the locos running as long as possible as they are economical, sentimental and up to now reliable. The problem is getting enough parts. At the moment they have enough for a few years longer and there are initiatives to keep them running for longer.
Most steam locomotives in South Africa have been scrapped, those that were plinthed have been vandalised for the brass fixtures and only a small number of tourist locos are still in use.
It would seem that the South Africans did not learn the lessons of the British Rail tourist industry.

[John H-T]

Thanks for that Syd. looks like the end of the road will not be too far away!

Best wishes,

John H-T.