#2272

South African Class GDA 2-6-2+2-6-2

Weimarer Republik ·built by Linke-Hofmann· from 1929· 1929 articulated steam locomotive

4 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Class GDA 2255 (2-6-2+2-6-2): User:Leith Paxton· CC BY-SA 3.0
2. Class GDA 2257 (2-6-2+2-6-2): User:Robert Maidment-Wilson· CC BY-SA 3.0
3. Class GDA no. 2259: Unknown, bought on eBay with copyright· CC BY-SA 3.0
4. SAR Class GDA 2257 (2-6-2+2-6-2): Linke-Hofmann works picture· Public domain

what is it?

The South African Railways Class GDA 2-6-2+2-6-2 of 1929 was an articulated steam locomotive. In December 1929, the South African Railways placed five Class GDA Garratt articulated locomotives with a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type wheel arrangement in branch line service on the Natal North Coast line.

who runs it

Transnet Freight Rail South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 5made 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 97 years ago, in 1929.
Served for 41 years (1929–1970).

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

spec sheet

built: 1929
in service from: 1929
retired: 1970
status: retired
number built: 5
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: Weimarer Republik
builders: Linke-Hofmann
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: 2-6-2+2-6-2 (Double Prairie)

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

Sources: Wikidata Q7565628, Wikipedia: South African Class GDA 2-6-2+2-6-2 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.