South African Class 8 4-8-0

what is it?

The South African Railways Class 8 4-8-0 of 1902 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope. In 1902 and 1903, the Cape Government Railways placed 23 8th Class steam locomotives with a 4-8-0 Mastodon type wheel arrangement in service, three on the Cape Western System, eight on the Cape Midland System and twelve on the Cape Eastern System. In 1912, when they were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered, but retained their Class 8 classification.

who runs it

Transnet Freight RailCGCape Government RailwaysSASouth African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

• built 23made 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 125 years ago, in 1901.
• ⌛Served for 70 years (1902–1972).

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

spec sheet

built

1901–1902

in service from

1902

retired

1972

status

retired

number built

23

kind

Steam

traction

steam

origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

builders

Neilson and Company

designer

Cape Government Railways, (H.M. Beatty)

operators

Transnet Freight Rail, Cape Government Railways, South African Railways and Harbours Administration

top speed

—

power

—

gauge

1,067 mm Cape gauge

wheel arrangement

4-8-0 (Mastodon)

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