South African locomotive history
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In South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, the railways played a huge part in development and growth on nearly all terrains in the country. Conversely, events in South Africa and its neighbours over the years had a huge influence on the development of railways.
When the articles on the locomotives of South Africa are read sequentially in the order of their years of entering railway service, much of the history of the country becomes apparent between the lines. At the same time, the development of steam locomotives can be followed from the basic 0-4-0 to the mighty 4-8-4 wheel arrangements, and articulated steam locomotives from the Fairlies and the Kitson-Meyer to the Mallets and ultimately to the Garratts. Likewise with the development of modern traction such as electric, gas-electric, diesel-hydraulic, electro-diesel and diesel-electric locomotives.
This article consists of links to articles on South African locomotives, arranged in the order of their years of entering service, with the links embedded in the applicable pictures. In addition, the opening dates of new railway lines are shown.
Railway construction
In South Africa and South West Africa, where the South African Railways operated, all early mainline railway construction took place working inland from harbours and ports. Construction on these lines began in the years from 1859 to 1887 in South Africa and from 1897 to 1908 in South West Africa.
- Cape Western – The Cape Town–Wellington line in 1859.[1]
- Namaqualand – The Port Nolloth–O'okiep line in 1869.[2]
- Cape Midland – The Port Elizabeth–Uitenhage line in 1872.[3]
- Cape Midland – The Swartkops–Alicedale line in 1875.[1][4]
- Natal – The Durban–Pietermaritzburg line in 1876.[1]
- Cape Eastern – The East London–King William's Town line in 1876.[1][4]
- Kowie – The Port Alfred–Grahamstown line in 1881.[1][5]
- Transvaal – The Delagoa Bay–Pretoria line in 1887.[1]
- South West Africa Central – The Swakopmund–Windhoek line in 1897.[1]
- South West Africa Northern – The Swakopmund–Otavi line in 1903.[1]
- South West Africa Southern – The Lüderitz–Keetmanshoop line in 1908.[1]
The 1850s
1859
- On 8 September the first railway locomotive arrives in South Africa.
The 1860s
1860
1862
- New lines opened:
- Cape Western – Cape Town to Stellenbosch on 1 May.
- The first 7 ft (2,134 mm) gauge locomotive arrives in South Africa when the Table Bay Harbour Board acquires a single broad gauge locomotive, builder or appearance unknown, for excavation and breakwater construction work.[6]
1863
- New lines opened:
- Cape Western – Stellenbosch to Wellington on 4 November.
- The Cape Town and Green Point Tramway introduces horse-drawn trams from Adderley Street to Green Point.
1864
- New lines opened:
- Cape Western – Salt River to Wynberg on 19 December.
1865
1867
1869
- The first rails of the Namaqualand Railway from Port Nolloth to O'okiep are laid.[2]
The 1870s
1870
- A second broad gauge locomotive is observed at Table Bay Harbour, a 0-4-0 saddle-tank engine built by Hughes's Locomotive & Tramway Engine Works which had entered service between 1863 and 1870.[6][7][8][9]
1871
- New lines opened:[2]
- Namaqualand – Port Nolloth to Muishondfontein on 18 February.
- The first 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge locomotives arrive in South Africa.
1872
- The Cape Government Railways is established and takes over the operation of all public railways in the Colony, consisting of altogether 63 route miles of track from Cape Town via Stellenbosch to Wellington and via Salt River to Wynberg.[10][11]
1873
- New lines opened:
- Namaqualand – Muishondfontein to Kookfontein.[2]
- The first 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge locomotives arrive in South Africa.
CGR 0-4-0ST . 
East London Harbour 0-4-0VB
1874
- The railway line from Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage is partially opened.
CGR 0-4-0ST . 
Table Bay Harbour 0-4-0T
1875
- New lines opened:[4]
- Cape Midland – Port Elizabeth to Addo on 26 July and Swartkops to Uitenhage on 22 September.
- Cape Western – Wellington to Wolseley on 3 November.
CGR 1st Class 0-4-0ST 
CGR 1st Class 4-4-0T 
CGR 2nd Class 2-6-2TT
1876
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – East London to Blaney on 18 December.
- Cape Midland – Addo to Sand Flats on 1 April.
- Cape Western – Wolseley to Worcester on 16 June and Bellville to Muldersvlei on 14 September.
- Namaqualand – Kookfontein to O'okiep on 1 January.[2]
- The ship Memento sinks off East London with two Cape 2nd Class 2-6-2TT locomotives for the Eastern System.
- Construction begins on the Cape Town Central Station as hub to the Cape Government Railways.
- The Hex River tunnel on the railway line between Osplaas and Matroosberg is completed.[12]
- Construction begins on the Cape gauge railway line from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in Natal.
CGR 0-6-0T Back-to-Back 
CGR 1st Class 0-4-0ST 
CGR 1st Class 2-6-0 BP 
CGR 1st Class 2-6-0 Kitson 
CGR 1st Class 2-6-0ST 
CGR Fairlie 0-6-0+0-6-0 
Natal Railway 4-4-0T Perseverance
1877
- New lines opened:[4]
- Cape Eastern – Blaney to King William's Town and to Kei Road, both on 1 May.
- Cape Midland – Uitenhage to Glenconnor on 1 May and Sand Flats to Alicedale on 27 May.
- Cape Western – Worcester to Kleinstraat on 7 November and Kraaifontein to Malmesbury on 12 November.
Wythes & Jackson 2-6-0T 
NGR Class K 2-6-0T
1878
- New lines opened:
CGR 0-4-0ST Aid
1879
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – Döhne to Cathcart on 3 November.
- Cape Midland – Mount Stewart to Graaff-Reinet on 26 August, and Alicedale to Grahamstown on 3 September and to Middleton on 17 September.
- Cape Western – Koup to Fraserburg Road on 11 August.
- Natal – Pinetown to Botha's Hill in March and Avoca to Verulam on 1 September.
CGR 1st Class 2-6-0 
CGR 1st Class 4-4-0 
Natal Harbour 0-6-0ST John Milne 
Table Bay Harbour 0-4-0WT 
NGR Class G 2-6-0T, SAR Class C
The 1880s
1880
- New lines opened:[13]
- Cape Eastern – Cathcart to Queenstown on 5 May.
- Cape Midland – Middleton to Cookhouse on 2 March.
- Cape Western – Fraserburg Road to Beaufort West on 5 February.
- Natal – Rossburgh to Isipingo on 1 February and Botha's Hill to Pietermaritzburg on 1 December.[1]
CGR 4th Class 4-6-0TT 
NGR Class K 0-6-0ST
1881
CGR 0-4-0ST of 1881 
CGR 0-4-0ST Coffee Pot 
CGR 1st Class 4-4-0TT 
Table Bay Harbour 0-4-0ST
1882
- New lines opened:
- Cape Western – Wynberg to Muizenberg on 15 December.
CGR 2nd Class 4-4-0T Wynberg Tank . 
CGR 4th Class 4-6-0TT Stephenson 
CGR 4th Class 4-6-0TT Joy 
Kowie Railway 0-6-0T 
Kowie Railway 4-4-0T
1883
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – Queenstown to Sterkstroom on 15 October.
- Cape Midland – Cradock to Colesberg on 16 October.
- Cape Western – Muizenberg to Kalkbaai on 5 May and Beaufort West to Victoria West Road on 14 May.
1884
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – Sterkstroom to Molteno on 16 September.
- Cape Midland – Noupoort to De Aar on 31 March, to link with the Cape Western.
- Cape Western – Victoria West Road to Oranjerivier on 3 November.
- Kowie – Port Alfred to Grahamstown on 1 December.
- Natal – Pietermaritzburg to Merrivale in May.
CGR Experimental 3rd Class 4-4-0 
CGR Experimental 4th Class 4-6-0TT
1885
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – Molteno to Aliwal North on 2 September.
- Cape Western – Oranjerivier to Kimberley on 28 November.
- Natal – Merrivale to Estcourt on 21 December.
1886
Namaqualand 0-4-0WT Condenser
1887
Lourenco Marques, Delagoa Bay and East Africa Railway 4-6-0T, PPR 35 Tonner
1888
NGR 4-6-2TT Havelock . 
NGR Class D 4-8-2T, SAR Class A
1889
- New lines opened:
- Cape Western – Eerste River to Somerset West on 21 October.
- Namaqualand – Braakpits Junction to Flat Mine on 23 April.[2]
- Natal – Ladysmith to Glencoe on 4 September.[13]
CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 
NZASM 10 Tonner 0-4-0T 
NZASM 13 Tonner 0-4-0T 
NZASM 14 Tonner 0-4-0T
The 1890s
1890
- New lines opened:
- Cape Midland – Colesberg Junction to Norvalspont on 17 December.
- Cape Western – Somerset West to Sir Lowry's Pass Village on 1 February, Kalkbaai to Simon's Town and Kimberley to Vryburg, both on 1 December.
- Free State – Norvalspont to Bloemfontein on 17 December.
- Natal – Glencoe to Talana on 28 March and to Newcastle on 15 May.
- Transvaal – Braamfontein to Springs on 13 October and to Roodepoort on 17 November.
CGR 5th Class 4-6-0 
Namaqualand Clara Class 0-6-2 
NZASM 18 Tonner 0-6-0ST
1891
- New lines opened:
- Natal – Newcastle to Charlestown on 7 April.
- Transvaal – Roodepoort to Krugersdorp on 10 February and Mozambique border near Komatipoort to Malelane on 28 December.
CGR 1st Class 2-6-0 
CGR 5th Class 4-6-0 
NGR Class K 0-4-0ST . 
NZASM 19 Tonner 0-4-2T
1892
- New lines opened:[14]
- Cape Eastern – Dreunberg Junction to Bethulie Bridge on 21 May.
- Cape Midland – Rosmead to Stormberg Junction on 8 February, to link with the Cape Eastern.
- Free State – Bloemfontein to Vaal River Bridge on 7 May, Bethulie Bridge to Springfontein on 21 May and Natal-Free State border to Harrismith on 12 July.
- Natal – Danskraal to Natal-Free State border on 12 July.
- Transvaal – Malelane to Nelspruit on 20 June and Vaal River Bridge to Germiston on 15 September.
NZASM 40 Tonner 0-6-2T . 
CGR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7
1893
- New lines opened:
NZASM 46 Tonner 0-6-4T, SAR Class B 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6
1894
- New lines opened:
NZASM 32 Tonner 0-4-2RT . 
Port Elizabeth Harbour 0-4-0ST
1895
- New lines opened:
- Natal – Charlestown to Natal-Transvaal border on 1 December.
- Transvaal – Natal-Transvaal border to Union Junction near Alberton on 15 December, linking Natal to Transvaal.
- The railways of the Cape Colony, Natal, the Orange Free State, the South African Republic and southern Mozambique are all linked at Union Junction near Alberton on 15 December.[14]
Beira Railway Falcon 4-4-0, SAR Class NG6
1896
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – Sterkstroom to Indwe on 1 February.
- Transvaal – Kaapmuiden to Barberton on 1 April and Krugersdorp to Frederikstad on 2 November.
- Cape Town's first electric tram service begins operating along Adderley Street to Mowbray Hill.
Metropolitan & Suburban 4-6-2T . 
PPR 26 Tonner 0-6-0ST . 
NGR Class H 4-6-4T, SAR Class C2 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6A 
OVGS 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6C 
CGR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7A
1897
- New lines opened:
- Cape Midland – Rosmead to Middelburg on 1 October.
- Cape Western – Mafeking to Ramatlabama at the Bechuanaland Protectorate border on 13 March.
- Natal – Isipingo to Park Rynie on 1 December, Verulam to Tongaat on 3 December and Thornville to Richmond on 15 December.
- Transvaal – Frederikstad to Klerksdorp on 3 August.
- The Pretoria-Pietersburg Railway purchases a 4-6-0T locomotive named Portuguese from Mozambique.[10]
CGR 4th Class 4-4-2 . 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6B 
Dickson 0-4-2ST, SAR Class NG2
1898
- New lines opened:
- Cape Midland – Middelburg to Graaff-Reinet on 3 March and Bamboo Junction to Cape Collieries.
- Free State – Theunissen to Winburg on 1 November.
- Namaqualand – Garracoop Junction to Nababeep on 15 October.[2]
- Natal – Clairwood to Wests in Durban on 13 June and Tongaat to Tugela on 1 December.[14]
- Transvaal – Pretoria to Potgietersrus on 1 October.
CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 Wynberg Tender 
GSWA 0-6-0T Zwillinge 
PPR 55 Tonner 2-6-4T, SAR Class D 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6D 
OVGS 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6E
1899
- New lines opened:[15]
- Cape Central – Roodewal to Swellendam on 12 April.
- Free State – Wolwehoek to Heilbron on 31 January.
- Natal – Pietermaritzburg to New Hanover on 25 October.
- Transvaal – Potgietersrus to Pietersburg on 1 May.
- Walvis Bay - Walvis Bay to Plum.
Walvis Bay 2-4-2T Hope 
NGR Class C 4-10-2T, SAR Class H 
RR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7D 
NCCR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7E 
SAR NG 0-4-0T
The 1900s
1900
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – Bowker's Park to Tarkastad on 5 December.
- Natal – New Hanover to Greytown on 25 July, Park Rynie to Umzinto and Kelso Junction to Mtwalume, both on 8 August.
Port Elizabeth Harbour 2-6-0ST 
CGR 3rd Class 2-6-0T . 
IMR 2-8-4T, CSAR Class C 
Namaqualand Scotia Class 0-6-2 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6F 
IMR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7B 
IMR Sirdar 0-4-0T, SAR Class NG1
1901
- New lines opened:
- Cape Western – Malmesbury to Moorreesburg on 9 September.
- Natal – Stanger to Kearsney on 13 March and Mtwalume to North Shepstone on 27 July.
- The electric tramline in Cape Town is extended from Sea Point to Camps Bay.
CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 Wynberg Tender 
CSAR Class E 4-10-2T . 
Natal Harbour 0-6-0T Edward Innes 
Namaqualand 0-4-2ST Pioneer 
Zululand 2-6-2T, NGR Class I 
NGR Class H 4-6-2T, SAR Class C1 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6G 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6H 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6K 
CGR 6th Class 2-6-2, SAR Class 6Z 
CGR 8th Class 2-8-0, SAR Class 8X
1902
- New lines opened:
- Cape Midland – Cookhouse to Somerset East and Klipplaat to Willowmore, both on 1 August.
- Cape Western – Sir Lowry's Pass Village to Caledon on 1 August and Moorreesburg to Eendekuil on 15 November.
- Free State – Bloemfontein to Sannaspos on 1 May.
- Natal – Tugela to Mhlatuze on 18 July.
East London Harbour 0-6-0ST 
Table Bay Harbour 2-6-0ST 
CGR Type A 2-6-4T 
CGR Type C 0-4-0T Midget 
Natal Harbour 0-4-0ST Congella 
Zululand 2-6-0, NGR Class I 
NGR Class F 4-6-4T, SAR Class E 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6J 
CGR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7C 
CGR 8th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 8 
IMR 8th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 8A 
CGR tandem compound 2-8-0, SAR Class Experimental 2 
CGR Baldwin 2-6-0, SAR Class NG7
1903
- New lines opened:
- Cape Central – Swellendam to Riversdale on 19 February.
- Cape Eastern – King William's Town to Middledrift on 14 December.
- Cape Midland – Cookhouse to Adelaide and Willowmore to Le Roux, both on 14 December.
- Cape Western – Kalbaskraal to Hopefield on 28 February.
- Free State – Sannaspos to Thaba 'Nchu on 22 March and Harrismith to Aberfeldy on 1 April.
- Natal – Mhlatuze to Somkele on 17 September and Talana to Lucas Meyer on 12 November.
- Transvaal – India Junction to India Junction to Driehoek (avoiding line) on 27 April and to New Canada on 1 November.
CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 Wynberg Tender 
CGR Kitson-Meyer 0-6-0+0-6-0 . 
CGR Krauss 0-4-0T . 
CGR Krauss 0-6-0T . 
SAR Dock Shunter 0-4-0ST 
CSAR Class E 4-8-2, SAR Class H1 
CGR Karoo Class 4-6-2, SAR Class 5A 
CGR 6th Class 2-6-2, SAR Class 6Y 
CSAR Class 8-L2 4-8-0, SAR Class 8B 
CSAR Class 8-L3 4-8-0, SAR Class 8C 
CGR 8th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 8D 
CGR 8th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 8E 
CGR 8th Class 2-8-0, SAR Class 8Y 
CGR Tandem 2-8-0, SAR Class Experimental 3 
CGR 9th Class 2-8-2, SAR Class Experimental 4
1904
- New lines opened:[16]
- Cape Eastern – Indwe to Xalanga on 17 August, Amabele to Komga on 7 September and Middledrift to Adelaide on 17 October.
- Cape Midland – Le Roux to Oudtshoorn on 1 March.
- Cape Western – Maitland to Ottery on 1 February, Paarl to Franschhoek on 7 June and Ceres Road to Artois in December.
- Free State – Thaba 'Nchu to Modderpoort on 15 June and Hamilton to Tempe on 1 September.
- Natal – Pietermaritzburg to Elandskop on 3 November.
- Transvaal – Langlaagte to Vereeniging on 15 December.
Natal Harbour 0-6-0ST Sir Albert 
Namaqualand 0-4-2IST Caledonia 
GSWA Class Ha 0-6-2T . 
GSWA Class Jung 0-6-2T 
CSAR Class F 4-6-4T, SAR Class F 
NGR Class E 4-8-2T, SAR Class G 
NGR Class B 4-8-0, SAR Class 1 
CGR Karoo Class 4-6-2, SAR Class 5B 
CGR 6th Class 4-6-0, SAR Class 6L 
CGR 8th 4-8-0, SAR Class 8F 
CGR 8th Class 2-8-0, SAR Class 8Z 
CSAR Class 9 4-6-2, SAR Class 9 
CSAR Class 10 4-6-2, SAR Class 10 
CSAR Class 11 2-8-2, SAR Class 11 
CSAR Class E 4-8-0, SAR Class 13 
CSAR Class M 0-6-0+0-6-0, SAR Class KM 
CGR Type B 4-6-0, SAR Class NG8
1905
- New lines opened:[16]
- Cape Eastern – Xalanga to Elliot on 18 May, Komga to Eagle on 1 November and Aliwal North to Lady Grey on 2 November.
- Cape Midland – Humewood Road to Humansdorp on 1 November.
- Cape Western – Hutchinson to Pampoenpoort on 1 May, De Aar to Prieska on 19 September, Cape Town to Sea Point on 1 December and Van der Stel to Strand on 16 December.
- Free State – Springfontein to Jagersfontein on 1 February, Aberfeldy to Bethlehem on 1 March, Modderpoort to Ladybrand on 16 December, Marseilles to Maseru in Basutoland on 18 December, and Dover to Parys on 22 December.
- Natal – Elandskop to Donnybrook on 1 November.
- Transvaal – Rayton to Cullinan on 27 March, Klerksdorp to Vierfontein, Free State on 1 August and Springs to Breyten on 20 December.
CSAR Rack 4-6-4RT . 
Namaqualand 0-4-2T Britannia 
GSWA Class Hb 0-6-2T 
NGR Class A 4-6-2, SAR Class 2
1906
- New lines opened:[16]
- Cape Central – Riversdale to Voorbaai on 22 January.
- Cape Eastern – Elliot to Maclear on 29 August and Eagle to Butterworth on 17 December.
- Cape Midland – Port Elizabeth to Humewood Road on 1 April, Humansdorp to Misgund on 1 December and Valley Junction to Walmer on 15 December.
- Cape Western – Pampoenpoort to Carnarvon on 1 August.
- Free State – Jagersfontein to Fauresmith on 6 February and Bethlehem to Kroonstad on 21 June.
- Natal – Donnybrook to Creighton on 16 May and Ennersdale to Loskop on 1 June.
- Transvaal – Orkney to Fourteen Streams on 6 April, regauged from Pienaarsrivier to Settlers on 21 June, Apex to Witbank on 26 December, Pretoria North to Rustenburg on 27 December and Nancefield to Pimville.
CGR 0-4-0T+4 Railmotor 
NGR Class N 4-6-2T 
NGR Class B 4-8-2, SAR Class 1B 
CGR 9th Class 2-8-2, SAR Class Experimental 5 
CGR 10th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class Experimental 6
1907
- New lines opened:[17]
- Cape Midland – Knysna to Templeman on 14 July and Mosselbaai to George on 25 September.
- Cape Western – Misgund to Avontuur on 1 January and Mafeking to Buurman's Drift on 16 May.[11]
- Free State – Modderpoort to Bethlehem on 2 July.[17]
- Natal – Estcourt to Weenen on 18 April, Loskop to Winterton on 15 May and North Shepstone to South Shepstone on 2 September.
- Transvaal – Breyten to Ermelo on 13 March and Krugersdorp to Zeerust on 5 July.
File:CSAR Railmotor no. M2.jpg CSAR 0-4-0T+4 Railmotor 
GSWA O&K 2-8-0T 
GSWA Class Hc 0-6-0T 
CGR 3 Cylinder Compound, SAR Class Experimental 1 
NGR Class N 4-6-2T, SAR Class NG3
1908
- New lines opened:
- Cape Eastern – West Bank, Buffalo Harbour to Chiselhurst on 4 January.[11]
- Cape Western – Milnerton to Ascot on 28 May.[17]
- Free State – Hamilton to Beaconsfield on 8 April.
- Natal – Esperanza to Donnybrook on 3 June.
- Transvaal – Machadodorp to Breyten on 6 February.
CGR NG 4-6-2T
1909
- New lines opened:[17]
- Cape Midland – Barkly Bridge to Alexandria on 18 May.
- Natal – Creighton to Riverside in the Eastern Cape on 4 February and Vryheid East to Hlobane on 1 April.
SAR Dock Shunter 0-4-0T . 
NGR Class C 4-8-2T, SAR Class H2 
NGR Class B 4-8-2, SAR Class 3 
NGR Mallet 2-6-6-0, SAR Class MA
The 1910s
1910
- New lines opened:[17]
- Eastern Cape – By the Natal Government Railways from Riverside to Malenge in the Eastern Cape on 21 March.
- Natal – Utrecht Junction to Utrecht on 27 April.
- Transvaal – Belfast to Lydenburg on 29 April, Komatipoort to Newington on 15 May and Dunswart to Cranbourne on 4 July.
NGR Class B 4-8-0, SAR Class 1A 
NGR Class A 4-6-2, SAR Class 2C 
NGR Class B 4-8-2, SAR Class 3A 
CSAR Class 10-2 4-6-2, SAR Class 10A 
CSAR Class 10-2 4-6-2, SAR Class 10B 
CSAR Class 10-C 4-6-2, SAR Class 10C 
CSAR Class 10 4-6-2, SAR Class 10D 
NGR Mallet 2-6-6-0, SAR Class MB 
CSAR Mallet 2-6-6-2, SAR Class MD
1911
- New lines opened:[17]
- Cape – Eendekuil to Graafwater on 31 May and Lady Grey to Melk on 1 December, Hopefield to Bergrivier (Narrow gauge) on 21 August.
- Free State – Sannaspos to Jammerdrif on 4 September and Bethlehem to Reitz on 2 December.
- Natal – Umlaas Road to Mid Illovo on 13 April, Merrivale to Howick on 7 October and Port Shepstone to Paddock on 8 November.
- Transvaal – India Junction to Alberton on 1 March, Welverdiend to Lichtenburg on 11 May, Welgedag to Modderbee on 2 July, Ermelo to Piet Retief on 31 July, Pietersburg to Bandelierkop on 15 August and Coligny to Delareyville on 4 December.
- A passenger train from Port Alfred derails on Blaauwkrantz Bridge and plunges into the ravine below.[1][5][10][18]
GSWA 0-6-0 
GSWA 0-10-0 
GSWA 2-8-0 
CGR Mountain 4-8-2, SAR Class 4 
CSAR Mallet 2-6-6-2, SAR Class MF 
CSAR Mallet 2-6-6-2, SAR Class MG 
NGR Class N 4-6-2T, SAR Class NG4
1912
- New lines opened:[19]
- Cape – Wolseley to Ceres on 20 May, Malenge to Franklin on 1 August, Schoombee to Hofmeyr and Ottery to Dieprivier on 2 December, Bergrivier to Vredenburg on 16 December and Melk to Motkop on 20 December.
- Free State – Jammerdrif to Wepener on 7 February and Firham, Transvaal to Vrede on 1 May.
- Transvaal – Buurman's Drift to Ottoshoop on 15 April, Zeerust to Ottoshoop on 4 November and Newington to Tzaneen on 9 November.
- The South African Railways reclassify and renumber the rolling stock of its three constituent railways.[1][20]
GSWA Class Hd 2-8-2 
SAR Class 3B 4-8-2 
SAR Class 5 4-6-2 
SAR Class 12 4-8-2 
SAR Class MC 2-6-6-0 
SAR Class ME 2-6-6-2
1913
- New lines opened:[19]
- Cape – Butterworth to Idutywa on 15 July, George to Oudtshoorn on 6 August, Graafwater to Kleipan on 3 November, Vredenburg to Saldanha on 5 March.
- Natal – Greytown to Ahrens on 1 December and Tendeka to Piet Retief in Transvaal on 15 December.
- Free State – Arlington to Senekal on 15 May and Reitz to Marsala on 3 November.
- Transvaal – Nelspruit to Sabie on 10 November and Bandelierkop to Lilliput on 5 December.
SAR Class 4A 4-8-2 
NCCR 7th Class 4-8-0, SAR Class 7F 
SAR Class 14 4-8-2
1914
- New lines opened:[19]
- Cape – Kleipan to Birdfield on 1 January, Gamtoos to Patensie on 3 April and Caledon to Klipdale on 6 April.
- Natal – Winterton to Bergville on 5 January, Ixopo to Madonela on 2 February, Ahrens to Kranskop on 23 February and Newleigh to Estcourt deviation in September.
- Free State – Marsala to Frankfort on 4 March.
- Transvaal – Lilliput to Messina on 5 May, Sabie to Graskop on 18 May, Cranbourne to Modderbee on 25 May and Bethal to Morgenzon on 21 December.
SAR Class 14A 4-8-2 
SAR Class 15 4-8-2 
SAR Class 15A 4-8-2 
SAR Class 16 4-6-2 
SAR Class MC1 2-6-6-0 
SAR Class MJ 2-6-6-0
1915
- New lines opened:[19]
- Cape – Klipdale to Protem on 30 June, Prieska to South West Border on 1 August, Birdfield to Klawer on 15 November, Motkop to New England on 29 November and Carnarvon to Williston on 1 December.
- Free State – Westleigh to Vierfontein and Fauresmith to Koffiefontein, both on 31 May.
- Natal – Dalton to Glenside on 12 April, Paddock to Izingolweni on 16 August and Schroeders to Bruyns Hill on 5 October.
- Transvaal – Tzaneen to Soekmekaar on 4 August.
- Cape (Walvisbaai) – Walvisbaai to Swakop River on 1 August.
- The SAR purchases six Rhodesian 7th Class locomotives and designate them Class 7D and Class 7B.[21]
- Thirteen Mozambican Falcon 4-4-0 locomotives are acquired to relieve engines for service in South West Africa.[22]
SAR Class J 4-6-4T 
SAR Class 14B 4-8-2 
SAR Class 16A 4-6-2 
SAR Class MH 2-6-6-2 
SAR Class NG9 4-6-0
1916
- New lines opened:[23]
- Cape – Idutywa to Umtata on 18 September, Williston to Kootjieskolk on 2 October and Ascot to Tygerberg in November.
- Free State – Aliwal North to Zastron on 30 June and Vierfontein to Bothaville on 31 July.
- Natal – Boughton to Cedara deviation on 25 May and Donnybrook to Underberg on 24 November.
- Transvaal – Morgenzon to Amersfoort on 18 February, Volksrust to Amersfoort on 5 June and Delareyville to Pudimoe on 18 October.
SAR Class NG10 4-6-2
1917
- New lines opened:[23]
- Natal – Izingolweni to Harding on 5 March and Gingindlovu to Eshowe on 20 June.
SAR Class K 4-6-4T 
SAR Class 16B 4-6-2 
SAR Katanga Mikado 2-8-2
1918
- New lines opened:[23]
- Cape – Kootjieskolk to Calvinia on 2 February and to Sakrivier on 16 September.
SAR Class 14C 4-8-2 (1st) 
SAR Class 15B 4-8-2 
SAR Class MJ1 2-6-6-0
1919
- New lines opened:[23]
- Natal – Deviation from Umlaas Road to Pentrich on 9 January.
SAR Class 12A 4-8-2 
SAR Class 14C 4-8-2 (2nd) 
SAR Class 14C 4-8-2 (3rd) . 
SAR Class 16C 4-6-2 . 
SAR Class NG G11 2-6-0+0-6-2
The 1920s
1920
SAR Class 12B 4-8-2
1921
- New lines opened:[23]
- Transvaal – Pretoria West to Roberts Heights on 1 November.
- Natal – Booth Junction to Cato Ridge on 28 November.
SAR Class GA 2-6-0+0-6-2 
SAR Class GB 2-6-2+2-6-2
1922
- New lines opened:[23]
- South West Africa – Kolmanskop to Bogenfels on 1 April.
- The South African Railways inherits all railway in South West Africa.[24]: 117, 121
SAR Class 14C 4-8-2 (4th) 
SAR Class NG5 2-8-2
1923
- New lines opened:[23]
- Cape – Kamfersdam to Winter's Rush on 6 August and Belmont to Douglas on 9 August.
- Transvaal – Settlers to Tuinplaas on 30 October.
NCCR 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt, SAR Class GK 
SAR Dutton road-rail tractors . 
SAR Gas-electric .
1924
- New lines opened:
- Cape – Klipdale to Bredasdorp on 19 April, Pinelands to Langa on 16 June, Franklin to Kokstad on 3 November, Franklin to Matatiele on 4 November, Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp on 14 November and Touws River to Kareevlakte on 15 December.
- Free State – Wepener to Zastron on 16 April and Heilbron to Petrus Steyn on 24 July.
- South West Africa – Gobabis Junction in Windhoek to Ondekaremba on 19 September.
- Transvaal – Balfour North to Grootvlei on 1 May, Lydenburg to Steelpoort on 10 September, Naboomspruit to Singlewood on 22 September and Hercules to Schoemansville on 15 December.
SAR Class GC 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class ES1
1925
- New lines opened:[25]
- Cape – Kareevlakte to Ladismith on 19 October and Fort Beaufort to Katberg on 1 December.
- Free State – Senekal to Marquard on 14 October and Frankfort to Villiers on 26 November.
- Natal – Eshowe to Extension on 26 June.
- Transvaal – Rustenburg to Boshoek on 21 January, Magaliesburg to Schoemansville on 26 May, Ermelo to Lothair on 1 September, Elandshoek to Solarvale on 25 September and Nylstroom to Vaalwater on 1 October.
- The New Cape Central Railway and its line from Worcester to Voorbaai is taken over by the South African railways.
SAR Class 15C 4-8-2 
SAR Class 16D 4-6-2 
SAR Class FC 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class GD 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class GE 2-8-2+2-8-2 
SAR Class GG 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class 1E
1926
- New lines opened:[25]
- Cape – Upington to Kakamas on 18 August, Addo to Sunland on 1 September, Katberg to Seymour on 19 November and Klawer to Landplaas on 8 December.
- Free State – Harrismith to Warden on 7 June.
- Natal – Mtubatuba to Candover on 15 September.
- Transvaal – Villiers, Free State to Grootvlei on 18 January and Citrus to Plaston on 22 November.
SAR Class 15CA 4-8-2 
SAR Class 17 4-8-0TT 
SAR Class FD 2-6-2+2-6-2
1927
- New lines opened:[25]
- Cape – Sunland to Kirkwood on 7 January, Landplaas to Bitterfontein on 27 April and Imvani to Qamata on 14 September.
- Natal – Candover to Golela, Transvaal on 4 July.
- Transvaal – Solarvale to Mount Carmel on 10 February and Makwassie to Vermaas on 1 July.
SAR Class 18 2-10-2 
SAR Class HF 2-8-2+2-8-2 
SAR Class GCA 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class GF 4-6-2+2-6-4 
SAR Class U 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class NG G12 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class NG G13 2-6-2+2-6-2
1928
- New lines opened:[25]
- Cape – Winter's Rush to Koopmansfontein on 31 January and George to Knysna on 1 May.
- Free State – Bothaville to Wesselsbron on 18 July.
- South West Africa – Ondekaremba to Seeis on 9 July.
- Transvaal – Klerksdorp to Ottosdal on 24 February, Potchefstroom to Fochville on 14 April, Brits to Beestekraal on 11 June and Singlewood to Zebediela on 2 July.
SAR Class 16DA 4-6-2 1928 
SAR Class 19 4-8-2 . 
SAR Class GH 4-6-2+2-6-4 .
1929
- New lines opened:[25]
- Cape – Hermon to Porterville on 3 April, Ceres to Prince Alfred Hamlet on 10 April, and the line from Monument to Sea Point is uplifted on 17 April.
- Free State – Wesselsbron to Bultfontein on 16 April and Arlington to Lindley on 31 July.
- South West Africa – Seeis to Witvlei on 1 December.
- Transvaal – Boshoek to Middelwit on 12 August, Messina to Beitbridge on 31 August and Derwent to Stoffberg on 14 November.
SAR Clayton Railmotor 
SAR Class 19A 4-8-2 
SAR Class S 0-8-0 
SAR Class GDA 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class GL 4-8-2+2-8-4
The 1930s
1930
- New lines opened:[25][26]
- Cape – Fort Knokke to Woltemade no. 1 on 14 April, Koopmansfontein to Postmasburg on 1 November and New England to Barkly East on 10 December.
- Free State – Parys to Vredefort on 24 April and Petrus Steyn to Lindley on 14 May.
- Natal – Empangeni to Nkwalini on 19 September.
- South West Africa – Witvlei to Gobabis on 6 November.
SAR Class 8R 4-8-0 
SAR Class 16DA 4-6-2 1930 
SAR Class 19B 4-8-2
1931
- New lines opened:[26]
- Cape – Molteno to Jamestown on 3 June.
- Natal – Chailey to Mount Alida and Greyville Cabin to Berea Road, both on 1 July.
SAR Class NG G14 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class NG15 2-8-2 .
1934
- New lines opened:[26]
- Cape – Kleinstraat to Matroosberg on 15 October.
- Transvaal – Northam Junction to Thabazimbi on 26 February, Germiston to Elsburg on 29 July and Tuinplaas to Marble Hall on 21 September.
1935
SAR Class 15E 4-8-2 
SAR Class 16E 4-6-2 
SAR Class 19C 4-8-2 
SAR Class 20 2-10-2
1936
- New lines opened:[26]
- Cape – Palingpan to Manganore on 15 June and Postmasburg to Lohatla on 30 June.
- Natal – Point to Congella on 1 May.
SAR Class ES
1937
SAR Class 19D 4-8-2 . 
SAR Class 21 2-10-4 . 
SAR Class NG G16 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class 2E
1938
- New lines opened:[27]
- Transvaal – Midway to Bank on 6 November.
SAR Class 15F 4-8-2 
SAR Class 23 4-8-2 
SAR Class GM 4-8-2+2-8-4
1939
SAR Class DS 
SAR Class DS1
The 1940s
1940
- New lines opened:[27]
- Transvaal – Crown to Langlaagte on 12 January and Germiston to Jupiter on 2 December.
1943
- New lines opened:[27]
- Transvaal – New Canada to Phomolong on 29 January and Hercules to Koedoespoort on 7 June.
1945
- New lines opened:[27]
- Transvaal – Village Main to Faraday on 4 June.
1946
SAR Class GEA 4-8-2+2-8-4
1947
SAR Class S1 0-8-0 
SAR Class 3E
1948
- New lines opened:[27]
- Free State – Whites to Odendaalsrus on 7 June.
1949
SAR Class 24 2-8-4
The 1950s
1950
- New lines opened:[27]
- Transvaal – Vandyksdrif to Broodsnyersplaas on 2 October.
1951
- New lines opened:[27]
1952
- New lines opened:[27]
- Free State – Odendaalsrus to Allanridge on 18 December.
SAR Class S2 0-8-0 
SAR Class 4E
1953
SAR Class 25 4-8-4 
SAR Class 25NC 4-8-4
1954
SAR Class GMA 4-8-2+2-8-4 
SAR Class GO 4-8-2+2-8-4
1955
SAR Class 5E, Series 1
1957
SAR Class 5E, Series 2
1958
SAR Class 5E, Series 3 
SAR Class 31-000 (GE U12B)
1959
SAR Class 5E1, Series 1 
SAR Class 32-000 (GE U18C1) 
SAR Class 61-000 (DH 1420)
The 1960s
1963
SAR Class 5E1, Series 2
1964
SAR Class 5E1, Series 3
1965
- At least 150 are killed when a commuter train derails at the outskirts of Durban.
SAR Class 5E1, Series 4 
SAR Class 33-000 (GE U20C)
1966
SAR Class 5E1, Series 5 
SAR Class 32-200 (GE U20C1) 
SAR Class 33-200 (EMD GL26MC)
1968
SAR Class 33-400 (GE U20C)
1969
SAR Class 6E1, Series 1
The 1970s
1970
SAR Class 6E
1971
SAR Class 6E1, Series 2 
SAR Class 6E1, Series 3 
SAR Class 34-000 (GE U26C) 
SAR Class 34-200 (EMD GT26MC)
1972
SAR Class 35-000 (GE U15C)
1973
SAR Class 6E1, Series 4 
SAR Class 34-400 (GE U26C) 
SAR Class 91-000 (GE UM6B)
1974
- The Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line is opened.[24]: 140–141
SAR Class 6E1, Series 5 
SAR Class 34-500 (GE U26C) 
SAR Class 34-600 (EMD GT26MC) 
SAR Class 35-200 (EMD GT18MC)
1975
SAR Class 36-000 (GE SG10B)
1976
SAR Class 6E1, Series 6 
SAR Class 35-400 (GE U15C) 
SAR Class 35-600 (EMD GT18MC)
1977
SAR Class 6E1, Series 7
1978
- The South African Railways sets a still unbeaten world rail speed record.[24]: 128–129 [28]
SAR Class Experimental AC 
SAR Class 7E . 
SAR Class 9E, Series 1 
SAR Class 34-800 (EMD GT26MC)
1979
SAR Class 6E1, Series 8
The 1980s
1980
SAR Class 7E1 . 
SAR Class 34-900 (GE U26C) 
SAR Class 36-200 (EMD SW1002)
1981
SAR Class 26 4-8-4 . 
SAR Class 6E1, Series 9 
SAR Class 37-000 (EMD GT26M2C)
1982
SAR Class 6E1, Series 10 
SAR Class 7E2, Series 1 
SAR Class 9E, Series 2 
QR 2170 class, TFR Class 35-800 (EMD GL26C-2)
1983
SAR Class 7E2, Series 2 
SAR Class 7E3, Series 1 
SAR Class 8E 
SAR Class 12E
1984
- The South African Railways inaugurates the MetroBlitz interurban train service between Pretoria and Johannesburg.[29]
SAR Class 6E1, Series 11 
SAR Class 7E3, Series 2
1985
SAR Class 10E . 
SAR Class 11E (GM GM5FC)
1987
SAR Class 10E1, Series 1
1989
ACR Class NG G16A 2-6-2+2-6-2 
SAR Class 10E2 .
The 1990s
1990
- South African Transport Services become Transnet and the South African Rail Commuter Corporation, with Spoornet and Metrorail as respective railway operators.
Spoornet Class 10E1, Series 2 
Spoornet Class 16E
1991
Spoornet Class 14E
1992
Spoornet Class 38-000
1993
Spoornet Class 17E 
Anglo Coal Class E38
1994
Spoornet Class 14E1
1995
- A locomotive falls into a mine shaft onto an ascending cage and both plunge to the bottom of the shaft, killing 104.[30][31]
The 2000s
2000
Spoornet Class 18E, Series 1
2001
Spoornet Class 7E4
2006
Spoornet Class 39-000 (EMD GT26CU-3)
2009
TFR Class 18E, Series 2 
TFR Class 19E . 
TFR Class 39-200 (EMD GT26CU-3)
The 2010s
2010
Gautrain SGR opened in Gauteng Provence June 8 [32]
TFR Class 15E
2011
TFR Class 43-000 (GE C30ACi)
2013
TFR Class 20E
2014
TFR Class 21E 
PRASA Class Afro 4000
2015
TFR Class 22E . 
TFR Class 23E . 
TFR Class 44-000 (GE ES40ACi) 
TFR Class 45-000 .
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The South African Railways – Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the Namaqualand Railway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0.
- ^ Pioneer, Little Bess & Mliss
- ^ a b c d e Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 181, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b Heritage Portal: The Port Alfred to Grahamstown Railway Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Table Bay Harbour construction locomotives
- ^ The Cape Argus of 19 July 1870.
- ^ Grace’s Guide: Henry Hughes and Company
- ^ Dating the opening of Hughes Works
- ^ a b c Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 1: 1859–1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
- ^ a b c Report for year ending 31st December 1909, Cape Government Railways, Section VIII – Dates of Opening and the Length of the different Sections in the Cape Colony, from the Year 1873 to 31 December 1909.
- ^ Lewis, Charles; Pivnic, Les. "Soul of A Railway". System 1, Part 3: Wellington to Touws River, pp. 31–32. (Retrieved on 3 September 2016)
- ^ a b c Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 182, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b c Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 183, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 184, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b c Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 185, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b c d e f Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 186, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ The Port Alfred Kowie Railway 1883–1913
- ^ a b c d Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 187, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, Pretoria, January 1912. (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
- ^ Pattison, R.G. (1997). The Cape Seventh Class Locomotives (1st ed.). Kenilworth, Cape Town: The Railway History Group. ISBN 0958400946.
- ^ Railway Modelling Scene, South Africa, May/June 1985, article written by Neill Mardell
- ^ a b c d e f g Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 188, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b c Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 0869772112.
- ^ a b c d e f Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 189, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b c d e Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 190, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Statement Showing, in Chronological Order, the Date of Opening and the Mileage of Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 191, ref. no. 200954-13
- ^ Middleton, John N. (2002). Railways of Southern Africa Locomotive Guide - 2002 (as amended by Combined Amendment List 4, January 2009) (2nd, Dec 2002 ed.). Herts, England: Beyer-Garratt Publications. pp. 38–39, 41, 46.
- ^ Die Vaderland, Donderdag 12 Januarie 1984, p. 3
- ^ "104 miners are crushed to death when an elevator carrying gold miners plunges to the bottom of a Vaal Reef mineshaft near Orkney". South African History Online. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Locomotive crushes 105 gold miners". The Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ Fihlani, Pumza (8 June 2010). "Gautrain arrives in time for World Cup". BBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
