South African Steam in the 1970s

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Featuring a variety of rare and unpublished colour photographs, George Woods shows the great variety of locos in action – from 4-8-2 tank engines to huge 4-8-4s and Beyer-Garratts, often polished and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.