South African 2’ Narrow Gauge

Modeller's Photographic Reference

The purpose of this photographic website is to provide South African 2’ narrow gauge enthusiasts, and more especially active modellers, with a source of reference material gleaned from whatever remains available on the old systems around the country. Those looking for scenic portraits will be disappointed in the website as this is not the purpose – pics consist mainly of close-up and detailed views, more so in the case of rolling stock and bridges. The bulk of the photographs were taken whilst touring the Langkloof valley during August 2016, and the dilapidated and overgrown state of the stations and track will soon become evident from the pics. Bridges were especially overgrown and difficult to both access and photograph in suitable detail, and some of the stations (Patensie immediately comes to mind) are in an absolutely disgusting state. Also included are pics I have taken over the years, some going as far back as 1995 in Port Shepstone. Anyone out there who feels that they would like to contribute will be more than welcome – their contributions will be gratefully acknowledged, and hopefully this website will morph into something of not only historic value but useful as a source of reference material. Much of the wagon material was recorded at Sandstone Estates, and I personally cannot heap enough praise and thanks on Wilf Mole and his team for their restoration efforts to date. Without them, I am certain that almost all our narrow gauge heritage would have disappeared and wound up in the scrap yards. The Apple Express team are also making a valiant attempt at restoration, and it is sincerely hoped that they will be able to negotiate the use of at least a portion of the remaining line in the Eastern Cape. With Port Shepstone having been stripped of anything remotely resembling the narrow gauge, we can only look to Julian Pereira of the PCNGR to saving whatever he can from the old Natal system, and his efforts are also deserving of as much public support as possible.

Regretfully, not every existing bridge and station could be recorded as a number were simply inaccessible due to being located within private property and, in some cases, being grossly overgrown. Added to the fact that I do not have an intimate knowledge of all the lines and might quite conceivably have missed a number of bridges or other points of interest. Perhaps with the passage of time access might be arranged, or other kind souls already in possession of such knowledge and pics would be kind enough to share them through this website.

The “Links” icon will not only take the enthusiast to a number of prominent websites, but also contains a list of the limited number of publications devoted to our narrow gauge. In particular, I must make mention of Leith Paxton who possesses a wealth of information and has been very forthcoming in sharing this knowledge. He is currently preparing a publication of scale drawings of the narrow gauge rolling stock, and this will indeed be a valuable and highly accurate record of our heritage. These drawings, when combined with this photographic record, will hopefully provide the enthusiast with sufficient information to produce top class models, and the endeavours of these respective modellers will be included on the “Models” page, for those wishing to contribute.

January 2020 update: It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge RICHARD JACKSON, a major contributor to the website rhbstations.co.za, and to thank him most sincerely for his idea of creating the section titled: NARROW GAUGE IN THE UK. Richard lives in Wales, has travelled the UK extensively, and has once again kindly delved into his photographic collections to populate this section. As with the entire website, it remains a work-in-progress and will continue to expand as and when time and travels permit. Heartfelt thanks to you, Richard, for your interest and contributions.

Please enjoy this website.