Engine Power and Rolling Stock in South Africa.

Almost all the locomotives and rolling stock have been imported as that has been found most economical. There were at one time many classes of locomotives, but these are being reduced to approximately 14. There are about 200 standard goods train engines, each of approximately 41,000 lbs. tractive power (twice that of our “Ab”): Ninety-five Garratt engines up to 54,000 lbs. tractive power, and some engines of 58,000 lbs. tractive power. Main Line passenger coaches are each of approximately 35 tons tare, coupled with M.C.B. automatic couplings. It is not uncommon for 25,000 tons of coal to pass through Ladysmith in 24 hours in addition to passenger and mixed trains and this on a 3 ft. 6 in. gauge with frequent 1 in 30 grades through country similar to the King Country.