| South African Railways 4-8-4 Class 25NC flies north from De Aar toward Kimberly near Potfontain, in July 1977. The headboard was used on name passenger trains, and this well-oiled 4-8-4 is in charge of the famous "Orange Express". She's doing about 60 mph, and considering this is 3 foot 6 inch gauge that's doing some "Smokin". We'll get one more shot as we try to keep up on the gravel road to Krankuill, before losing the train as it heads for a service stop at Orange River. By our next visit in 1984, there were no more headboards on steam-hauled passenger trains. |