Ithuba Spl 1990

On the 10th of October 1990, a steam special was run in the OFS and this video concentrates on the section Kroonstad - Bloemfontein which shows the train being hauled by class 16E no.857 Ann Smith - Bloemfontein Queen.
The video opens with a brief view of the special being hauled by 25NC 3410.

[@farflungtraveler]

What a mighty beauty!

[@Adventurescot]

Thanks for that Les. 857 sounds amazing in these clips. I fired both her and 858 but the difference between them was like night and day. 858 was a troublesome engine and always needed to be helped to make steam. 857 on the other hand was a free steaming machine and just kept going without any problem. Even the difference in riding was amazing. 858 was a rough riding machine but 857 was extremely smooth. They might have been of the same class of engine but they behaved like they were two totally different machines

[@lespivnic]

Hi Richard, engines of the same class always had individual personalities like human beings! Les.

[@gerhardlesch3615]

Rare klas 16E. Daar het in middel 1970's een op Paardeneiland gestaan terwyl ek daar prakties gedoen het. Ek het dit egter nooit sien loop nie. Pragtige video!

[@peachy7776]

10:00 cameraman sure knows what to look at! That linkage is just mesmerising

[@brynmorgan1428]

Absolutely incredible Les! These videos are real testament to the power, sound and magnificence of our South African Steam. Thanks so much for uploading these sterling clips!

[@lespivnic]

My pleasure, Bryn!

[@mthokozisimasondo2909]

What a great perfomance from an 88 year old Alan Watson engine. I wish steam engines are still in operation. This is one of the 6 engines Alan Watson,then SAR CME at that time bought from Germany in 1935.(2023.01.08-12:15-socalled South Africa)

[@lespivnic]

Mthokozisi Masondo, I need to point out that Allan G Watson as CME designed the engines in Pretoria and had them built by Henschel in Germany.

[@7822welshsteam]

I was 3 days old!

[@rickvanheerden788]

Excellent footage of the driving gear at speed.

[@danielgouws1470]

Dit is so pragtig om die ou Spoorweg trein te kan sien dit was die goeie jare gewees nou is daar geen trots meer

[@sydneymartin6941]

Replying to Daniel Pride is not something they understand That is why that part of history is gone for good Man the capture of that whistle is brilliant What a video Thanx for sharing

[@lespivnic]

Hi Sydney, Glad that you enjoyed my video! Les.

[@RAILFANinSOUTHAFRICA]

Thanks for sharing these videos Les, so glad the channel has come alive again after being dormant for 5 years !!!! Please keep on uploading!!!

[@lespivnic]

Glad that you are enjoying my videos - thanks!

[@DuncanMackenzieMacKintos-pr7jq]

She's a beautie and she moves

[@762Media42]

Excellent work, fantastic footage Les, cheers Lucas

[@lespivnic]

Thanks Lucas!

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Interesting.

[@donaldmillwood6308]

the 16E has always been my fav. Not enough videos of the amazing machine - thanks for sharing this video - when I was a kid I saw this beast at full tilt in the Karoo whilst picnicking at a concrete table under the shade of an Australian Eucalyptus - bring back fossil fuels F climate alarmists!

[@lespivnic]

Glad you enjoyed it! Donald - sadly the plans we had for a major railway museum collapsed due to major political changes that were coming in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Les.

[@TheBoysTopSecretisOrganization]

cursed whistle

[@tergniet]

Les, thanks for fantastic videos. Coming from the old steam environment I tried to share these videos with the younger generation in my family who were deprived of the steam experience. Do you have copyright on your videos or is permissible to use a portion of a video and to add for instance a specific song or music just to add to a specific atmosphere. Regards. Chris.

[@DaveyJonesLockerwithJazzy]

What was Ithuba all about.. ? this looks an amazing and significant occasion enjoyed by all South Africans present in true joyful fashion, but for the segregation policy sadly still in force at the time..

[@lespivnic]

I can only respond to questions about the locomotive and train - I have no idea what Ithuba was about. Les.

[@TheBoysTopSecretisOrganization]

17:20 helikopter helikopter