#1498

South African Class 1A 4-8-0

🇬🇧 United Kingdom ·built by North British Locomotive Company· from 1910· class of 21 South African 4-8-0 locomotives

5 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. SAR Class 1A (4-8-0): User:Leith Paxton· CC BY-SA 3.0
2. Class 1A 1293 (4-8-0): Col André Kritzinger· CC BY-SA 3.0
3. Class 1A 4-8-0 steam reverser: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
4. Class 1A no. 1300 & Type TL: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
5. 021. 1980-12. Germiston (SA) Locomotive Depot. Class 1A and 7A Locomotives: michelhuhardeaux· CC BY-SA 2.0

what is it?

The South African Railways Class 1A 4-8-0 of 1910 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Colony of Natal. In 1910, the Natal Government Railways placed 21 improved Class B 4-8-0 Mastodon type tender locomotives in service.

who runs it

Transnet Freight Rail Natal Government Railways South African Railways and Harbours Administration

base stats

built 21made 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 116 years ago, in 1910.
Served for 64 years (1910–1974).

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

spec sheet

built: 1910
in service from: 1910
retired: 1974
status: retired
number built: 21
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
builders: North British Locomotive Company
designer: Natal Government Railways, (D.A. Hendrie)
operators: Transnet Freight Rail, Natal 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.

Sources: Wikidata Q7565493, Wikipedia: South African Class 1A 4-8-0 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.