#3132

South African Class GO 4-8-2+2-8-4

🇩🇪 Germany ·built by Henschel & Sohn· from 1953· Articulated steam locomotive

2 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. HGG-GO-1979-DeAar: H.G.Graser· CC BY-SA 3.0
2. South African Railways - SAR Class GO 4-8-2+2-8-4 'Beyer Garratt' type steam locomotive N° 2594 (Henschel Locomotive Works, Kassel 1953), 1067 mm: Henschel Works Photo· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class GO 4-8-2+2-8-4 of 1954 was an articulated steam locomotive. In 1954, the South African Railways placed 25 Class GO light branch line tank-and-tender Garratt articulated steam locomotives with a 4-8-2+2-8-4 Double Mountain type wheel arrangement in service. It was the last new steam locomotive type to be acquired by the Railways.

who runs it

South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 25made 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 73 years ago, in 1953.
Served for 23 years (1954–1977).

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

spec sheet

built: 1953
in service from: 1954
retired: 1977
status: retired
number built: 25
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇩🇪 Germany
builders: Henschel & Sohn
designer: South African Railways, (L.C. Grubb)
operators: South African Railways and Harbours Administration
top speed: —
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 4-8-2+2-8-4 (Double Mountain)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q7565638, Wikipedia: South African Class GO 4-8-2+2-8-4 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.