All South African electric locomotives up to and including the Class 7E's were bidirectional. That came to an end with the arrival of the Class 7E1's, with a cab at one end only.
The Class 7E1's were designed by Hitachi and built by Dorbyl. The lead unit of this threesome, ready to set off to Mpumalanga with empty coal wagons, is still in its original SAR livery.
Still sporting its original SAR paint. Unlike most South African electric locomotives, the Class 7E1 has a cab at one end only. Also, the left and right sides are different in appearance.
Since the closure of the line from George to Knysna the Choo Tjoe has been running between George and Mossel Bay. Here it is departing Mossel Bay for the return trip.
The ugly duckling of South African rails.... A pair of Class 8E shunters, still in SAR livery, working in the Bayhead yard with the Bluff in the background.
End of an era..... Bar at least one modified unit that I've seen repainted in Spoornet blue, the Class 5E1's have now all been withdrawn from service and most will probably soon end up getting cu... (more)
One of the last remaining Class 5E1's awaits the scrapper's torches. One of the main distinguishing features between the 5E1's and 6E1's is the stacked set of three grilles on the sides, replaced ... (more)
The Choo Tjoe departs Mossel Bay for the trip back to George which is situated roughly straight across on the other side of the bay.
African morning. The early sun highlights the countryside south of Bethlehem on the former through line from Bethlehem to Bloemfontein.
The Choo Tjoe running from Mossel Bay back to George passes here through Outeniqua in the afternoon.
2749 steams over the level crossing at Groot Brakrivier with the Choo Tjoe behind back to George.
Two class 33s and a class 35 are working hard up the hill at sunset through Cooper.
The see is very calm today as the Choo Tjoe goes through Reebok.
The sun is setting, the glint is fading and it's time to call it a day! 15F 3016 catches the last light from the setting sun near Vailima.
What a way to end a rail tour of South Africa! On the last morning of the tour, an ALCO built 15CA class 4-8-2 charges past the photo line with the diamond mines at Cullinan in the background.
