South African Steam Safari 4

[@r.cooper9790]

The first railway line was laid d in Southern Rhodesia in 1897, running from the Union of South Africa, through Bechuanaland and on to Bulawayo. In the early 1980’s there were about 118 running steam engines in Zimbabwe. Coal was an abundant resource. A few of the engines remain in operational order. Many could be overhauled and re-fired once again…including mini-steam trains at amusement parks (former Round Table). I grew up in the Eastern Border and also lived in Braeside, Harare for a while. En-route to Umtali we used to see steam trains, and there were numerous ones operating from Bulawayo, in addition to one or two at Harare. So, walking along a railway track and collecting the large lumps of coal became a favourite game. They added great warmth to a fire or hearth. It is no surprise, therefore, that I published a book on Zimbabwean steam trains, entitled, “Sam Edward the Steam Train” by Dr. Ross Gordon Cooper, Lulu Press Ltd. This book in the making was worked on part-time for many years, as I gathered useful, genuine historical information to include therein. NRZ Railway Museum curator (Bulawayo), Mr. G. Murray, encouraged me in this endeavour. I highly recommend that you purchase yourself a copy of my book via Lulu Press Ltd online. They will then post you out a printed copy. Inbox me if you have any further enquiries. Yours truly, Ross.

[@Herriot7]

Lovely and evocative. Thanks for sharing the beauty of the area - I just wish we could experience the smell of steam and fynbos that accompany the sound and images.

[@Bazza-xc7ru]

Glad you enjoyed the video, it brought back so many memories of my visit to South Africa.

[@rogerpetzer-sk4pf]

I am currently working with transnet for 35 years and I have always been in love with steam power from a young age

[@francoispretorius3460]

Fantastic

[@bothajobmakhapa8484]

What anteresting trip through mountains sometimes scary!

[@nigelslade5276]

Great video, I thought the GL was the most powerful loco in SA