Two-foot-gauge railways in South Africa

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A Spoornet Class 91-000 on the Avontuur Railway near Humansdorp

In the early 1900s, 2 ft (610 mm) narrow-gauge railway lines started playing a significant role in South Africa. They facilitated the transport of various agricultural and mineral produce from locations hardly accessible by road. They therefore enabled many communities to become prosperous.

These lines featured the largest and most powerful locomotives ever in existence on two-foot-gauge railways worldwide.

All two-foot railways were operated isolated from each other. However, this did not prevent standardization and interchangeability of rolling stock and locomotives.

The larger railway lines operated their own workshops performing minor to major maintenance and/or repairs. For the purpose of major overhauls and interchangeability, rolling stock could be transported piggyback on Cape gauge rolling stock by means of a special access ramp on the break of gauge at Cape gauge junctions available on most of the two-foot lines.

Their decline started in the 1980s, the last commercial line ceased operations in the 1990s. Only a few tourist, agricultural and/or heritage railways survive. Many defunct locomotives are plinthed at various former railway station sites or work on the Welsh Highland Railway and other heritage railways in and outside South Africa.

Nomenclature[edit]

It is common for South Africans to consider anything less than 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in, Cape gauge) as a narrow-gauge railway. They are accustomed referring to "Cape gauge" as "standard gauge".

Overview[1]

Railway lines with rails (partially) intact, operationally closed[edit]

Avontuur Railway[edit]

Main article: Avontuur Railway

Port Elizabeth–Avontuur / Patensie

The Avontuur Railway was built from 1890 to 1905, and is 285 kilometres (177 mi) long.[2] Extension to Patensie completed in 1914.

The Apple Express, a tourist train, ceased operations in December 2010.

Locomotives used

Port Shepstone–Harding[edit]

Main article: Alfred County Railway

The Port Shepstone–Harding line was operated from 1911 to 2006, and is 122 kilometres (76 mi) long. It was closed by South African Railways in 1986 and then leased to the Alfred County Railway, which went bankrupt in 2004. The Banana Express continued under Patons Country Narrow Gauge Railway operations, having a temporary permit from Transnet and ceased operations in 2005. On 18 June 2008, a storm ruined the railway in the coastal area. A limited diesel locomotive hauled service has also operated between Paddock and Plains stations more recently.

Locomotives used

Closed or converted railway lines[edit]

The following railways were closed or converted to Cape gauge.

Bezuidenhout Light Railway[edit]

During 1900, these two 0-4-0T locomotives were used by the 47th Field Company Royal Engineers during the construction of the Bezuidenhout Light Railway, a light narrow gauge railway line from Simmer and Jack's siding near Germiston in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek to a siege camp 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) away along the Bezuidenhout Valley.[3]

Locomotives used

Kearsney–Stanger Light Railway[edit]

Operated from January 1901 to 1944, 8 miles (13 km) from Kearsney to Stanger, built and put into service at a total cost of £18,500.[4][5] The track was laid with 30 lb rails and had a ruling gradient of 1 in 30. The line carried sugar and tea, passenger trains were operated until about 1930.[6]

Otavi Mining and Railway Company[edit]

Main article: Otavi Mining and Railway Company

1903–1961, 567 kilometres (352 mi) in German South-West Africa (today's Namibia). Built at the gauge of 600 mm, which did not prevent exchanging locomotives with the two foot (610 mm) lines in South Africa when it was taken over by South Africa (as part of the British Empire) in 1915. Regauged to cape gauge.

Before the gauge conversion many locomotives were interchanged with the South African two foot railway systems depending on various operational considerations. After the gauge conversion the remaining stock was transferred to the two-foot lines.

The gauge difference is explained by the metric system used by the Germans who built the Otavi Line, contrary to the South Africans who used imperial units.

Kalbaskraal–Hopefield–Saldanha[edit]

Operated from 1903–1926 and then re-gauged to Cape gauge. It was 46 mi (74 km) long.[7]: 139  Originally built from Kalbaskraal to Hopefield, in 1913 the line was extended to Saldanha passing Vredenburg.

Locomotives used
Stations
Kalbaskraal–Darling–Hopefield–Vredenburg (branch)–Saldanha (Hoetjies Bay).[8]

Pienaarsrivier–Pankop[edit]

Operated from 1906 to 1923, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi), later extended. It was built by a farmer[9] who bought the locomotives and rolling stock from army surplus stock of the Bezuidenhout Light Railway. The line was used to haul firewood.[10] Converted to cape gauge.[11]

Locomotives used
Stations
Pienaarsrivier – Bourke – Pankop

South Western Railway[edit]

Main article: South Western Railway (South Africa)

Also known as Knysna Forest Railway. Open from 1907 to 1949, 22 miles, now closed. Operated between Knysna and Diepwalle in the Southern Cape by The South Western Railway Co. Ltd.[12]

Stations
Knysna – Bracken Hill – Parkes – Diepwalle[13]

Estcourt–Weenen[edit]

Between 1907 and 1983, a narrow gauge railway connected Weenen with Estcourt, 47 kilometres (29 mi) to the west, and provided an outlet for its agricultural produce and was thus called the "Cabbage Express".[14] This line was the Natal Government Railway's first venture into narrow gauge operation.[15] Its rails were lifted. The NG G11 number 55 remained plinthed at Weenen[16] and was later refurbished and is now used on the Paton's County Railway.[17]

Locomotives used
Stations
Estcourt–Scheepersfontein–Peniston–Haviland–Wondergeluk–Stanley–Mielietuin–Mona–New Furrow–Weenen.[18]

Umzinto–Donnybrook[edit]

The Umzinto–Donnybrook narrow-gauge railway was in existence from 1908 to 1987 and was 93 miles long. It is now closed and its tracks were lifted however the Ixopo to Madonela branch has been rebuilt from Allwoodburn to Madonela and is use by Patons Country Railway

Locomotives used
Stations
Umzinto–Esperanza–Nkwifa–Inverugie–Braemar–Glenrosa–Sawoti–Mbulula–Dumisa–Kenterton–Njane–Jolivet–Hlutankungu–Knockagh–Kunatha–Highflats–Rydal–Glen Beulah–Etterby–La Trappe–Ixopo with Branch to Madonela–Vause–Loch Buidhe–Crystal Manor–Lufafa Road–Mabedlana–Maxwell–Eastwolds–Carthill–Donnybrook
Stations Madonela Branch
Ixopo–Allwoodburn–Stainton–Carisbrooke–Ncalu–Madonela (Umzinkulu)[18]

Umlaas Road–Mid Illovo[edit]

Umlaas Road to Mid Illovo, 27 miles[19] opened in 1911 and closed 1985, with its rails lifted. Ruling gradient 1-in-30 compensated for 45.7 m (150 ft) minimum radius curves.[20]

Locomotives used
Stations
Umlaas Road–Killamy Road–Edinglassie–Tala–Eston–Ripley–Ntimbankulu–Milford–Mid Illovo.[18]

Elandshoek–Mount Carmel[edit]

1925–1931, 12 miles, closed.

Locomotives used
Stations
Elandshoek–Two Falls–Solarvale East–Solarvale–Indiemiddel–Mount Carmel[21]

Upington–Kakamas[edit]

1926–1949, 55 miles,[7]: 166  re-gauged to Cape gauge.

Locomotives used
Stations
Upington–Keimoes–Kakamas

Fort Beaufort–Balfour–Seymour[edit]

1926–1940, 35 miles. First, a 25-mile stretch of narrow-gauge line was authorised at a cost of R130,000 between Fort Beaufort and Seymour. This line was later extended from Balfour 12 miles to Seymour.[22][7]: 160  The line was re-gauged to Cape gauge between 1939 and 1940.

Locomotives used
Stations
Fort Beaufort–Balfour–Seymour

Heritage railways[edit]

Sandstone heritage trust[edit]

At Sandstone Estates near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State, a 15 km line runs from Grootdraai in the south, northwards to the main farm, loco depot and marshalling and storage sidings at Hoekfontein and onwards via Mooihoek to a run around loop at Vailima siding. There is also a short line, known as Seb's Railway, branching to the west at Hoekfontein and running through a Game Camp to a balloon loop around a farm dam and suitable only for small locomotives.

The Sandstone Steam Railway first opened in 1999.[23]

Its collection consists of narrow gauge stock collected from other closed 2 ft narrow gauge lines in Kwazulu Natal, elsewhere in South Africa, and from neighboring countries.. It is the largest collection of 2 ft Narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock in the world.

Patons Country Narrow Gauge Railway[edit]

The Patons Country Narrow Gauge Railway runs from Allwoodburn station Ixopo to Umzinkulu (Madonela). It was opened in 2000 on a branch of the former Umzinto – Donnybrook narrow gauge railway line.

Locomotives used
  • NG G11, two Avonside sugar cane loco's and Two 4 Cylinder Diesel Hunslet shunter,.[17][24]

Agricultural railways[edit]

Zebediela Sugar Estates[edit]

At Zebediela. Closed 1959.[25]

Locomotives used

Sezela, Sugar railway system[edit]

At Sezela. A 125-mile cane sugar rail network.[26] Built in 1914 and closed in the 1970s.[27]

Umtwalumi Valley Estate[edit]

A sugar plantation in Natal.[28]

Locomotives used

Renishaw Estates[edit]

Locomotives used

Chaka's Kraal Estate[edit]

A sugar plantation.[28]

Tongaat Sugar Estates, Natal.[edit]

Locomotives used

Darnall and Felixton sugar estates[edit]

Locomotives used
  • Various Bagnall.[30]

Industrial[edit]

Belville quarry[edit]

SAR's Bellville quarry in the Tygerberg hill, employing Zwillinge locomotives.

Eastern Province Cement Company (EPCC)[edit]

Ran a private Branch from Chelsea junction at the Avontuur Railway to its cement factory at New Brighton in Port Elizabeth.[31] Locomotives included a 33-ton 4-6-2 built by Baldwin Locomotive Works with a separate 23-ton tender carrying 5 tons of coal and 2,040 US gal (7,700 L) of water. This locomotive, numbered 2, had a 43-inch (1.1 m) diameter boiler producing 160 psi (1,100 kPa) steam to 13.5-inch (34.4 cm) diameter cylinders through an 18-inch (46 cm) stroke powering 36-inch (92 cm) diameter drivers.[32] In 1973, it was wrecked after a runaway accident,[33][34] and after years of idleness it was shipped to the Brecon Mountain Railway in Wales. The rebuild started in 1990 and the locomotive went back to service in 1997.[35]

The EPCC also operated a South African Class NG8 4-6-0 and two 300 HP funkey diesel-mechanical B-B locomotives[34] which were also shipped to Wales to be used on the Welsh Highland Railway (unaltered) and the Ffestiniog Railway, the latter implying the construction of a new body to be able to negotiate the strict loading gauge of that railway. A third diesel, a three axle hunslet, survived in South Africa[36]

Rustenburg Platinum Mines[edit]

????–1981. Approximately 10 miles. Platinum ore railway. Converted to Cape gauge.[1]

Vogelspruit Gold Mining Areas Ltd[edit]

Converted to Cape gauge.[37]

West Rand Consolidated Mines[edit]

In Krugersdorp, using a CGR Type C 0-4-0T.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b Durrant, A. E.; Jorgensen, A. A.; Lewis, Christopher Peter (1981). Steam in Africa. C. Struik. ISBN 978-0-86977-139-6.
  2. ^ Sellick, W.S.J. (1904). Uitenhage, past and present : souvenir of the Centenary, 1804-1904. p. 194.
  3. ^ Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. pp. 99–100, 110. ISBN 0869772112.
  4. ^ Old steam locomotives in South Africa: Kearsney-Stanger Light Railway 1901-c.1944
  5. ^ Charles William Francis Harrison, Joseph Forsyth Ingram (1903). "IV – The Tea District". Natal; an illustrated official railway guide and handbook of general information. London: P. Jennings. p. 166.
  6. ^ Kerr Stuarts for South Africa
  7. ^ a b c Moir, Sydney Melson (1963). Twenty-four inches apart: the two-foot gauge railways of the Cape of Good Hope. Oakwood Press.
  8. ^ See map
  9. ^ Correspondence 60
  10. ^ Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David E. (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways: A Concise Guide. C. Struik. pp. 99–100. ISBN 978-0-86977-211-9.
  11. ^ "Branch railway lines". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  12. ^ 2ft Narrow Gauge Forest Railroad in Knysna – South Western Railway Co
  13. ^ The Knysna "Coffee Pot"
  14. ^ Weenen
  15. ^ South Western Railway Co. – Locomotives Archived 28 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Geoffs Trains – The South African NGG11 Garratt steam locomotive
  17. ^ a b "Locomotives and Buildings Used on the Country Railway". Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  18. ^ a b c Stations are still displayed on Google maps
  19. ^ photo 20
  20. ^ Map Durban to Pietermaritzburg – Covering the railway alignments between Durban-Pietermaritzburg and lots of other interesting information – Bruno Martin
  21. ^ South Africa (Transvaal) Railways–SL 213 – Passenger stations and stops
  22. ^ Syd gets all steamed up about trains – Adam Brand – 8 August 1964
  23. ^ The Sandstone Steam Railroad – The first ten years Archived 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Locos in Use Today". Archived from the original on 1 October 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  25. ^ Sandstone Steam Railroad Archived 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ Old steam locomotives in South Africa: SEZELA Sugar Mill: Sezela No 1 – Avonside 1719/1915
  27. ^ Developments in sugar manufacture in South Africa from 1959 to 1984: The Sezela factory
  28. ^ a b c Old steam locomotives in South Africa: Umzinto, Indian Quran Study School, Hunslet 3385/1946
  29. ^ "No. 16 Carlisle". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  30. ^ Bagnall Articulated Locomotives
  31. ^ The PE-Avontuur Narrow Gauge Line– A brief history
  32. ^ Moody, Linwood W. (1959) The Maine Two-Footers p.210
  33. ^ Baldwin De-railed – Evening Post Monday 20 August 1973
  34. ^ a b Narrow gauge World Magazine – No. 49 jan-feb 2007 Limestone to Port Elizabeth – by David Payling – Page 12, second column
  35. ^ "No.2 Baldwin Locomotive". Brecon Mountain Railway.
  36. ^ Bottom page
  37. ^ Ex West Rand Consolidated Mines 0-4-0WT Orenstein & Koppel 4102/1910

Bibliography[edit]

  • Ballantyne, Hugh (2009). South African Two-foot Gauge: featuring the Garratts. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 9781906008512.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Narrow gauge railways in South Africa and Narrow gauge steam locomotives of South Africa.
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