ZIMBABWE - LAST DAYS OF THE BEYER-GARRATTS
The Garratt locomotive is almost synonimous with Africa although Garratt locomotives were to be found in many other parts of the world including Britain.� Many of those used in Africa were built by Beyer Peacock of Manchester and so are known as Beyer-Garratts.� These articulated locomotives have two frames with their own driving wheels and cylinders surmounted by water tanks.� Separating the two chassis is another frame carrying the boiler, cab and fuel supply.�� This type of locomotive is invaluable on lightly laid track and where sharp curves need to be negotiated.
Whilst there are a considerable number of these engines preserved in South Africa, the few remaining examples in everday use are mainly to be found in the freight yards in and around Bulawayo, which is Zimbabwe's second city.�� A small number have been hired out to industrial concerns in Zimbabwe such as Hwange coal mine and the cement works at the appropriately named town of ........ Cement! Three other engines work across the border at a copper mine in Botswana.�� Bulawayo shed is perhaps the last great steam shed in the world with up to 12 engines in working order and several others in the attached works.�� Surrounding the shed area are a large number of dumped engines which serve as a reminder of the once extensive steam fleet in this former British colony.
The present economic and political situation in Zimbabwe has extended the life of these engines for a second time as the railways can not afford diesel fuel oil let alone replacement locomotives.� However travel in Zimbabwe is now more difficult with concerns for personal safety and this has also resulted in the suspension of the weekly luxury travel train to Victoria Falls.� All of the photographs on this page were taken in the happier times of August 1999. |
