the Port Elizabeth two-footer

[Wayne Laepple]

Here's a link to a wonderful site with loads of information and great photos of the South African Railways two-foot gauge line from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur. Great stuff!

https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1

[Wayne Laepple]

Here's a link to the next installment about this two-footer:

https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1/port-elizabeth---loerie-passenger-service-general-freight-fruit-traffic-and-the-apple-express

[Steve Smith]

Nice! Thanks Wayne.

[Ira Schreiber]

Teriffic reading on a two foot system.
Great reporting.
Thanks,
Ira

[Wayne Laepple]

Here's the third installment -- lots of gorgeous color photos included.

https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1/part-4-loerie-to-assegaaibos

[Keith Taylor]

Here's the third installment -- lots of gorgeous color photos included.

https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1/part-4-loerie-to-assegaaibos

In photo 13 they refer to the loco as a "Bagnall Class 40." It sure looks like a Baldwin to me!

Keith

[Bernie Perch]

I just purchased a W. G. Bagnall, Ltd catalogue.  On Page 39 is a photo of the locomotive.  Quoting the catalogue:  "Locomotive for narrow gauge railways.  Six wheels coupled, 4 wheel leading bogie and 8 wheel bogie tender.  Built with bar frames and outside cranks.  Specially designed for passenger and light goods service on the Cape Government Railways.  A very satisfactory type of engine for those preferring the American design."

Bernie

[Keith Taylor]

Hi Bernie;
I wonder of Baldwin could have sued for design infringement? They sure do look like Baldwins!
There is a Bagnall builders photo here: http://wildebeast-ontherighttrack.blogspot.com/2010/04/sar-ng7-ng8s.html
That little locomotive would look right at home here in Maine!
Keith

[Bernie Perch]

Keith,

I was out for a bit and was about to scan and send the photo to you when I saw your post.  Not all cute American styled locomotives were American built.  I agree with you that it would fit perfectly in Maine and not even a trained eye would know the difference that it was a foreign locomotive. 

Baldwin and other American builders also build some nice two footers for South America which would have looked great in Maine, too.  There are two existing Porter 2-6-2's in Brazil which I would love to bring back.

Bernie

[Keith Taylor]

Hi Bernie;
In the article at the above link it does mention that the design was based on Baldwin Moguls that were previously imported. So I don't feel too bad about mistaking them for Baldwins!
Keith

[Wayne Laepple]

Here's the next chapter:

https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1/part-7-avontuur-to-assegaaibos   “