In the 1970s and 1980s, steam enthusiasts from all over the world flocked to South Africa to experience the thrill of big time steam on the central part of the Cape Town–Johannesburg main line, nicknamed “Steel Kyalami” after the Grand Prix circuit near Johannesburg. Here, modern 4-8-4s hauled a succession of fast heavy freights, interspersed with some passenger workings. The famous condensing class 25 ruled the Beaufort West–De Aar section until 1974, and the non-condensing 25NCs soldiered on between De Aar and Kimberley into the 1990s.
This major new book is a celebration of South African steam in outstanding photography as well as evocative text about the heavy traffic, working on the locos and chasing them. It also covers
- The construction of the main line from Cape Town towards Johannesburg, and its branches
- The railways during the second Boer War
- The development of South African steam locomotives
- The long distance passenger trains
- Chasing steam in its final years
252 large pages (23x33 cm) with good reading, illustrated with a wealth of historical photographs and great colour photos, hardbound.