Steam Safari

A detailed look at SOUTH AFRICAN STEAM POWER in the early 1980’s. Made in 1983, this 45-minute documentary takes a detailed look at a 4000 km “Steam Safari” running from Cape Town to Johannesburg. From the immaculate Class 24’s of the George-Knysna branch line, to the giant 25NC workhorses that once plied the arterial routes of the Great Karoo, “Steam Safari” introduces a feast of  different locomotives against a changing pageant of backgrounds:

· GMAM Garratts on the Outeniqua Pass and the crocodile River Gorge;
· Class 16E on a long, fast run to Kimberley;
· Class 15F at Springs Locomotive Depot;
· Class 12AR and 15AR on the Port Elizabeth line;
· Double-headed 19D’s in the Little Karoo;
· The “Apple Express” . . . . . .  and many more.

“Steam Safari” was the first railway-oriented programme produced by Frameline Television.  Although it looks a little old-fashioned by modern documentary standards, the quality from the original 16mm negative film is far superior to the video quality of the day.  We hope you enjoy this step back into the past, which was in itself an exercise in nostalgia!