Adventure Steam

South Africa’s 2-foot narrow gauge lines run through the constantly changing glorious scenery of the valleys. Riding onboard, passengers are truly reliving the past with the steam engine hauling the train. The magical steam world has been recreated for us thanks to enthusiasts with passion for this charming and nostalgic era.  This DVD is a compilation of two programmes celebrating the 2-foot narrow gauge.

The Avontuur Adventurer
The first narrow gauge train started its service in 1903.  In 1920 the arrival of the first Garratt locomotive on the Avontuur line heralded an era of new Garratt construction for the South African Railways.  After re-gauging the lines in Namibia, Class NG15 engines were brought to South Africa. The engine crews nicknamed them ‘Kalaharis’ and the locomotives soon became very popular. They look like toys, but don’t be fooled they were good workers puffing their way through the sugar fields, mountains and valleys.

Narrow Gauge Superpower 
A symbol of mechanical perfection, the steam locomotive is the least efficient and most romantic piece of machinery a man has ever created. Man tends to destroy other species and then put much effort to save them from extinction. It happened with elephants, rhinos and, of course, with the iron horse.  Steam enthusiasts have been able to rescue a number of abandoned and decaying locomotives and wagons and restore them to their former glory. Witness the incredible power of the Garratt locomotive with its two engines sharing one boiler and one crew. Their ability to haul immensely heavy trains over rough mountainous terrain and lightly laid track is why they were the work horse of African railways, regarded a superpower among locomotives.