South African Steam in the 1970s

Featuring a variety of rare and unpublished colour photographs, George Woods explores the world of steam locomotives and trains in 1970s South Africa.

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As in many countries in the 1970s, South Africa’s railways were making the change over from steam to diesel and electric traction at an ever-increasing pace. As a member of the Locomotive Club of Great Britain the author was able to join a tour organised in 1973 to see steam in action at a time that some of the older types of locos were still around, and there was still a considerable amount of regular steam working.

Featuring a variety of rare and unpublished colour photographs, George Woods shows the great variety of locos in action – from 4-8-2 tank engines to huge 4-8-4s and Beyer-Garratts, often polished and decorated by their crews, which could be seen in daily service.