#2049

South African Class GE 2-8-2+2-8-2

🇿🇦 South Africa ·built by Beyer, Peacock and Company· from 1924· 1925 articulated steam locomotive

1 photo from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Class GE 2269 (2-8-2+2-8-2): 1930's Railway Circle (members Frank Garrison, Frank Holland, Bill Schutz and others)· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class GE 2-8-2+2-8-2 of 1925 was an articulated steam locomotive. Between 1925 and 1931, the South African Railways placed 18 Class GE Garratt articulated locomotives with a 2-8-2+2-8-2 Double Mikado type wheel arrangement in service. They were built in three batches over six years.

who runs it

Transnet Freight Rail South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 18made in total

Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.

fun facts

First built 102 years ago, in 1924.
Served for 50 years (1925–1975).

steam locomotive: Burns coal, wood or oil to boil water; the steam drives pistons that turn the wheels.

spec sheet

built: 1924–1930
in service from: 1925
retired: 1975
status: retired
number built: 18
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇿🇦 South Africa
builders: Beyer, Peacock and Company
designer: Beyer, Peacock & Company
operators: Transnet Freight Rail, South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 2-8-2+2-8-2 (Double Mikado)

From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q7565631, Wikipedia: South African Class GE 2-8-2+2-8-2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.