International Railroad Discussion > South African industrial steam -- REGM

Randfontein Estates Gold Mining, located about 25 miles west of Johannsburg, was the busiest industrial steam railway in South Africa.  Founded in 1889, it closed in 1970.  In 1973 it reopened and continually expanded over the next 20 years, as new shafts were sunk.  At the peak of steam operations, it had 12 former SAR class GMAM Garratts (4-8-2+2-8-4) in reef (South African for ore) hauling service, as well as a number of conventional engines used mostly on stores and maintenance of way trains.  Alas, steam ended in June 1997, when x-SAR 31 class diesels (GE U12B) took over.   I never went back there.

The railway was extensive with most of it easily accessible from adjacent public and railroad roadways.  Being close to my usual home base in Springs made for many steam bashes.  Here are some images from 25-30 years ago.  These will be presented in four separate postings over the next few days.  They will be in chronological order, to give an idea of changing paint schemes.  The Garratts began arriving in 1983.

1.  15BR class 4-8-2 "Gloria" and 1 class 4-8-0 "Trixie" at the original shed at Millsite.  6/1983

2.  SAR GMAM 4079 awaits rebuilding at the main workshops.  May 1984

3.  Heavy work underway in the shop.   One of two GE U10B diesels, soon to be sold, is in the extreme right background.  May 1984



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/16 07:50 by masterphots.

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4.  A 4-8-2 being overhauled at the shop.  May 1984

5.  Heating a cylinder so the liner will slip in.  May 1984

6.  GMAM R-9 "Kathy" ready for work.  May 1984

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Alan,
Last shot is a killer!

Uncle Joe,Seffner,Fl.

retcsxcfm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Alan,
> Last shot is a killer!
>
> Uncle Joe,Seffner,Fl.

But I know why you took the first one! Great stuff!

Cheers,
Jack

 

africansteam Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> retcsxcfm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Alan,
> > Last shot is a killer!
> >
> > Uncle Joe,Seffner,Fl.
>
> But I know why you took the first one! Great
> stuff!
>
> Cheers,
> Jack
>
We didn't meet until 8+ years after the photo was taken   (for everyone else,  Gloria is my wife's name)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/16 17:09 by masterphots.