Railways of South Africa and Namibia - Motive Power and Trains by J A Dulez is a detailed railway reference book covering not only the motive power and trains of the South African network, namely the South African Railways (SAR), but also those of neighbouring Namibia, which experienced a lengthy period of SAR administration. In addition, selected private railway systems are featured, including special sections on the provincial Gautrain and Kei Rail systems. The book also reaches back to the period before Union in 1910, covering obsolete motive power from the Central South African Railways (CSAR), Natal Government Railways (NGR), Cape Government Railways (CGR) and the Transvaal railways (NZASM), including steam locomotive classes which no longer existed after the SAR was formed in 1910.

The book also addresses the restructuring of the state-controlled transport organisation in recent years, including the transition to Transnet, the change from Spoornet, and the later naming of the rail division as Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). It documents in substantial detail the various designs and classes of steam locomotives placed in service between 1860 and 1968, as well as electric locomotive series from 1925 and diesel locomotives from 1938. Electric multiple unit designs for high-density commuter services are also covered, an area often overlooked in earlier railway publications on South Africa. Passenger operations under PRASA, including Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe, are also noted, alongside Metrorail commuter services and reference to the Blue Train’s operation by Transnet in 2022.

Authored by Jean Dulez, a railway photographer since 1964 and video producer since the early 1980s, the book reflects more than ten years of research, image collection and information gathering. Contributions and assistance were drawn from a wide range of recognised Southern African railway authorities and photographers, together with material from the former Transnet Heritage archive collection, now under the TFR library, and other significant private collections. Presented as the 3rd edition, this volume is intended as a comprehensive technical reference covering the period from 1860 to 2021 and is well suited to railway historians, enthusiasts, collectors and modellers seeking an extensive Southern African railway library reference.

Features / Product Details:

• Manufacturer: Vidrail Productions
• Material: Printed book
• Author: J A Dulez
• Title: Railways of South Africa and Namibia - Motive Power and Trains
• Product Type: Railway reference book
• Edition: 3rd Edition
• Format: Hardback or soft cover
• Subject Coverage: South African and Namibian railways, motive power and trains

Uses:

• Suitable as a railway history and motive power reference
• Useful for collectors of Southern African railway publications
• Suitable for railway modellers requiring prototype background information
• Appropriate for general reading and research on South African and Namibian rail operations