Trans Karoo Express September 1996

[@nixops]

Wonderful. We have lost so much when we stopped using locos like this. They had character and beauty. Long may they live in our memory.

[@steamfreak]

Indeed

[@artabanes]

Brings back great memories. Took the TransKaroo from Capetown to Jo'burg in jan 1995. Two electric locos out of Capetown, two diesels from De Aar to Kimberley, had no idea that I would wake up next morning to the smell of steam with two 25NC pulling the train from Klerksdorp to Jo'burg!

[@steamfreak]

Ah nice!

[@brucewilliams8714]

Memories. Driving to Klerksdorp, 1991, overnight stay, then chasing the 25s as far as we could. Got some great video. Next year, booked on the Trans Karoo to Capetown. It was a time of disruption, and Joberg station was evacuated twice. Eventually we set off, very late. Capetown, next day, was shut right down. A big march was on the way in. In Adderley Street there was a kerb to kerb wall of Kaspars. I snuck through to the gardens and into the museum. A white bloke with a camera might not have been a sensible sight in the street. When the sound of the choppers faded, I emerged to calm and quiet. The march had been massive but peaceful. Thanks, Trevor. It's 2021, I wonder if you'll see this comment.

[@steamfreak]

Thanks Bruce, yes they were turbulent times!

[@thesteamshed]

WOW! Now that is a real BLAST from the past! Real goose-flesh stuff, that I miss!

[@steamfreak]

Nothing like NCs in full flight!

[@mmandmcb14]

7:04 - Saturday morning at Klerksdorp, and what was for many years a regular sight - the Trans-Karoo departing for Johannesburg behind two immaculate 25NC's. (January 1995) 7:42 - A perfectly good video camera was risked for this shot, and an interesting shot it is. The Trans-Karoo roars out of Carletonville on a Saturday morning. (January 1995)

[@steamfreak]

I enjoyed that sight many a time! The video camera survived but needed some TLC for sure. What was the fireman doing cleaning fire on the main line? 😳

[@schelty9233]

A great video, joy to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@steamfreak]

Thanks!

[@mmandmcb14]

7:42 - A perfectly good video camera was risked for this shot, and an interesting shot it is. The Trans-Karoo roars out of Carletonville on a Saturday morning.

[@steamfreak]

The camera survived OK! It lived to tape another day...

[@lancerossiter698]

Hehe! I remember that Potch station so well. Was at Berede and one of the guys with us decided after two months the army was not for him and legged it to England. Sat at the station waiting for the train when he left for Joburg! Got a postcard a month later.

[@steamfreak]

😂 Glad he made it!

[@NN2Blue]

Excellent video - 5*. Thanks for sharing. Mike

[@steamfreak]

Cheers Mike.

[@jamesgroccia644]

I feel like all the smaller, less-used lines - especially in the American Northeast where I live - would profit from regular steam engine use for light to medium freight and passenger runs, like a local commuter service between Berlin and Worcester where the diesels of the T can take off for Boston. Maybe a light freight that runs to Leominster every so often and terminates in a bigger city like Salem. Maybe get the Boston and Maine mainline back into working order to bring tourists from, say, Gloucester to Scarborough.

[@steamfreak]

Yes I'm sure modern efficient steam power could find a place today, but it seems that coal is now a 4-letter word.

[@foreversteam]

Hey Trev, Absolutely top video - amazing footage!! Thanks for uploading, please let me know when you compile another video. Bryn

[@steamfreak]

Cheers Bryn

[@tom32139]

great video very nice rhanks

[@steamfreak]

Cheers!

[@foreversteam]

Yes I did, Thanks a million - Some of the best SAR footage I have on disc thanks to you - Top man! Hope you like the Livesteam Discs I sent you? Cheers Bryn

[@steamfreak]

Cheers

[@Isochest]

Nice comment. I'm a fan of electric traction myself but think steam has a place on lightly used routes. Yep, I'd bet steam would still play a part in US rail freight and may make a comeback ere long possibly in the Powder River Basin.

[@steamfreak]

Yes I think economically it could, but given the bad rap coal has these days, sadly not likely... 😔

[@Isochest]

@The Steamfreak Channel You are absolutely right! Look where we are giving up on coal now in the UK and western Europe. Mind you I am keeping warm thanks to my solid fuel fire burning anthracite and wood. Can't beat it for heat😊👍

[@r.cooper9790]

The good old steam days

[@steamfreak]

Those were good days

[@eskatee]

When the head engine driver is applying the breaks, which is indicated at the break pressure gauge in the second engine (or the banking engine), the second (or the banking engine) engine will shut the regulator.

[@steamfreak]

Sounds right

[@steamfreak]

Either with whistle signals or by the second driver following the lead of the first. Both drivers would generally know the road, and would know when power is needed. Braking was done by the front loco only.

[@transkaroo]

That was brilliant Steamfreak. Judging by the 3450 you must also be a Red Devil fan. Please submit more SAR stuff if you have. I hope your camera was not damaged. Regards Stefan Cape Town

[@funnyshoresgamer983]

Look at Zimbabwe steam and see the real deal with the garrets

[@steamfreak]

Cheers!

[@7822welshsteam]

The last regular steam train ran in the UK on the 10th of August 1968 but I agree with your point.

[@steamfreak]

I was born to late...

[@secondaccount6716]

how do the front and rear engine communicate? great video

[@steamfreak]

Thanks! Mostly by whistle codes.

[@laaity]

1:47 Why did the fireman and 3rd man shout *** of?

[@steamfreak]

The saw someone they knew well I think, and were shouting at him!

[@laaity]

@@steamfreak ha Thats a spoorie for you

[@IanWarner-l7v]

Good old days everything worked like clockwork,

[@steamfreak]

Those NCs certainly ran like Swiss watches.

[@jacksalvin364]

2 25NCs locomotives couple on to their train.

[@steamfreak]

Thanks

[@jacksalvin364]

You welcome.

[@jmcvlam]

I grew up in the Karoo, late 60s, early 70s, and there were these huge locos with condensors on the sides. What class was this, 26? Do you have footage of them? Do you have footage of the narrow gauge that ran between Estcourt and Weenen?

[@steamfreak]

They were the Class 25s, massive condensers. Unfortunately I never got to see one in action.

[@cuzinitr]

Great video! 5/5 Rich

[@steamfreak]

Thanks

[@steamfreak]

No more damage than a few scratches - luckily...

[@mmandmcb14]

7:42 - A perfectly good video camera was risked for this shot, and an interesting shot it is. The Trans-Karoo roars out of Carletonville on a Saturday morning.

[@jmcvlam]

Another question, how do steam engine drivers co-ordinate two or more locos at a time?

[@steamfreak]

Whistles or the second loco follows the lead of the first loco

[@jmcvlam]

@@steamfreak I learned in the meantime that the smaller or lighter of the two engines leads. I assume that there wasn't always perfect synchronisation, so what about strain on the couplers? Were there instance of couplers breaking?

[@1teaboy]

Excellent footage SF, you captured those 25's perfectly, the cab footage especially so!! Is this footage available on any DVD? Thanks for posting and where are you based?? 10/10 . Superb.

[@steamfreak]

I never put this on DVD. I am currently based in Australia

[@vernonsaayman9741]

Why always the title express? Its simpley called train202 or203 in reverse direction!running times were same as trains 7down or12 which travelled the same route.only difference they had more and longer station stops.

[@steamfreak]

It sounds flashy if you ride the Express!

[@elizavanzyl4320]

Sjoe so mooi,..

[@steamfreak]

Did you get the DVDs I sent you ages ago?

[@mmandmcb14]

7:04 - Saturday morning at Klerksdorp, and what was for many years a regular sight - the Trans-Karoo departing for Johannesburg behind two immaculate 25NC's.

[@steamfreak]

:-) The fireman was saving time I guess by cleaning fire on the road!

[@jamesgroccia644]

The shaking of the locomotive made clearing the ash pan that much easier, thus allowing more coal to come on the fire and make more steam for less fuel tossed inside. Plus, the hot ash can scatter on the track and dry out the rails, aiding in traction. It’s a double win!

[@foreversteam]

Aren't you supposed to open the blowdowns while going through a station? ;)

[@steamfreak]

Cleans the platform facing!

[@heathboyles270]

How do you say "foamer" in Afrikaans?

[@steamfreak]

Skuimer? 😁

[@Isochest]

Not quite true: Services in Northern Ireland continued to be steam Hauled until May 1970:-) We made it into the 70s:-)

[@steamfreak]

Nice! Irish steam never seemed to get as much focus as steam on that other island to the east...