I ticked off a bucket list item and got to photography the ore trains on the Belfast Lydenburg line. These chrome ore trains are hauled by four Transnet Class 44 diesels built by GE (Class 44 details) The line was opened in 1910 and has steep grades with an almost continuous climb from Lydenburg (1376 m) to Belfast (2025 m). This line was one of the last stomping grounds of the class GO Garratts in the steam days.
Load of empties passing through Santa siding the highest siding in South Africa
Vermont siding on the way to Lydenburg
Almost at journey’s end approaching Belfast
Famous stone bridge just outside Santa siding
Spring has arrived with a display of wild flowers beside the line
Was really great to see diesels working hard on a proper branch line without wires. Over the weekend I was there was a early morning up train passing Santa around 06:00 am or later with the return working from Belfast leaving around mid-day definitely worth a visit if you get an opportunity.