Kimberley Footplate days 

That name was chosen by my driver John Gilberthorpe. Its a name that was carried on an old London & North Eastern engine as far as I remember in UK

@@Adventurescot Thanks Richard for the information

Yes Mike we had some amazing trips on that great engine. However before we got her as a regular engine she was a terribly poor steamer. We booked her over and over again to be tested and all. Finally they said she had been in a slight accident and the blastpipe alignment was out. New blastpipe fitted and she went like a dream. Just one small pipe can destroy all the performance. She is still standing in Kimberley but in terrible condition so i believe

@@Adventurescot Thanks for your reply. Amazing machines indeed and we have been very fortunate to share time with then. I remember listening to (I think they were S2 class) 0-8-0's shunting in Durban harbour as a kid. Occasionally you'd hear the staccato blast of wheelspin - then the feathering of the throttle as the driver coaxed the loco to grip. An art to bring the best out of the machine, I'm sure.

Best of it was that loco inspector Pat Abbott was told to travel with us for a few days as some miserable git driver known as Doctor Doom reported us for taking folk on the footplate. So now we have wonderful Pat with us on 3501. As we left Kimberley we saw a chap chasing us in a car and grabbing shots along the way. At Orange river he came over to the engine and got chatting. Pat then asked if he would like a cab ride to De Aar. He replied "I would love to cab ride but what about my car?" and then Pat replied "don't worry, Richard will drive that to De Aar" and so i did......just don't tell management ;-) ;-)

Hah! Funny thing is that the same "Dr. Doom" gave me a cab ride from Modder River to Kimberley...can't beat a bit of doible standards huh? I am sire it made that enthusiast's day, a footplate ride at speed on a 25NC is not something to be forgotten in a hurry.

@@struck2soon thats the best of it. He was always giving cab rides but dare anyone else do it and he would report you. Two faced git as all the other crews use to call him!!

Adventurescot I Have to say it is a regret I didn't bump into you Richard, I am sure it would have been enjoyable.

@@struck2soon perhaps we did see each other in the passing. I may have made smoke for you and your camera along the line at some point ;-)

The top management just wanted rid of steam. In 1989 they actually put steam back on a number of expresses and we easily managed the 2 x diesel timings but top management were not for it and were determined to get rid of steam. Also getting folk to work steam was a problem in itself. Too much like hard work for most

And none more suited to the task in hand. Fantastic design with an enormous grate. Why was the UK so slow to adopt these practices?... mechanical stoker, big firebox, roller bearings, outside gear etc... Don't they look great from rear-threequarters view going away?!