RAILWAYS of SOUTHERN AFRICA

John Middleton writes:

After an absence of some 8 years, a NEW edition of RAILWAYS of SOUTHERN AFRICA has been prepared. Click here for a sample which covers surviving steam locomotives in Mozambique and Malawi.

RAILWAYS of SOUTHERN AFRICA has been the standard reference for locomotives in Southern Africa since 1984 and after many requests, it was decided to compile a new edition after the long break since 1994 when the last edition appeared. I regularly travel to Southern Africa so up-to-date data compilation has been relatively easy.

In addition to historical background information, details of operations, type details etc, the book contains listings of all existing locomotives (steam, diesel and electric) on the National Railway systems of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Mocambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Locomotives are shown with full builders details (works numbers and dates) plus depot allocations. In addition, all preserved locomotives and those sold into industry are also listed along with locomotives that have been sold or preserved outside their original countries.

The book is half-letter size (8.5" x 5.5" as it has been printed in the USA), 100 pages with 32 colour photographs and colour card covers.

Orders can be accepted by cheque or money order in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or South African Rands.

The book costs US $14.95 or Pounds Sterling GBP 9.95 or SA Rands R145 including SURFACE mail postage.

Cheques and money orders payable to John Middleton.

For international AIRMAIL postage from the US add: US $ 5 or GBP 3.30 or R50

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER : Buy two books (one for marking up, one for the bookshelf !) - US $ 24.95 or Pounds Sterling GBP 14.95 or SA Rands R 295 including SURFACE mail, For international AIRMAIL postage from the US add US $ 10 or GBP 6.60 or R100.

It is hoped to have a stock of books in both the UK and SA shortly which will enable safe surface postage in those countries.

Orders should be sent to:
John N. Middleton
1709 Valley Avenue
McLean
VA 22101
USA

Queries: e-mail: jmiddleton1@ifc.org

MALAWI

Remember that NR/MR Nyasaland/Malawi Railways (Malawi) and the TZR - Trans-Zambesia Railway (Mozambique) were co-managed with locos listed in one series. TZR was taken over by CFM in 1967.

All locos plinthed

G 57 is in Zambia (Livingstone Museum) and at least five G’s (including 59 and 60) in Mocambique

Portland Cement Co (1974) Ltd at Changalume between Nyaka and Blantyre had a 2-6-2T (HE 1485 1924 - but possibly HE 1486 which came from Nkana Copper Mines Zambia which was derelict until the mid-1990’s. However a recent report states this loco has been disposed of by being buried at the plant.

MOZAMBIQUE

CFM

Status Codes

OM Operational

Os Stored or Potentially Serviceable

D Withdrawn/Derelict

PP Preserved (Plinthed)

P Preserved (Museum/Preservation Site)

Gauge: 3’6"

Note: 14x loco is one of 141-148 (SACM 8091-95, 8152-54)

251/257 both reported at Beira, may be only one loco

259 abandoned at Km 67 just east of Goba (Maputo-Goba line) after 1978 derailment

960 overhauled ZECO 1987 and working until early 1990’s but not reported recently

Gauge: 750 mm

OTHER RAILWAYS

Compania de Sena (Sena Sugar Estates)

Marromeu Estate

Gauge: 3'6" (rebuilt from 3’0" gauge)

Gauge: 3'0"

Gauge: 600mm

* Reported to still exist and intended for preservation in Europe

# Not reported from recent visits, possibly still exist

Luabo Estate

Gauge: 600 mm

* Reported to still exist and intended for preservation in Europe

# Not reported from recent visits, possibly still exists

Buzi Sugar Estates, near Beira

There were four ex Beira Railway "Lawley" 4-4-0’s of which two were repatriated to the UK in 2000. It is not known if the other two still survive.