ex SAR no: 3488 North British 27348/1954

Updated - 15th May 2006

The locomotives of Class 25 and 25NC were the last unarticulated locomotives to be built for the SAR and rank as probably the largest ever to run on 3'6" gauge. They were built to the most mechanically modern design by North British and Henschel. The first ninety were classified as 25 class and were condensing locomotives whereby the exhaust steam is recirculated back to the special condensing tender and then recycled as water to be used again in the boiler. They were designed to operate the De Aar to Touws River section of the Cape Main line where there were extreme water shortages, especially during the winter months, and very heavy traffic flows. With gradual electrification of that section and the high maintenance costs of the locos, they were converted to free steaming and reclassified 25NC.
In addition to the condensers, which were delivered in 1953 and 1954, a further fifty conventional steaming Class 25NC locomotives were also delivered in 1953. With only three condensing locos not converted to Class 25NC the ex condensers were fitted with modified condensing tenders affectionately known as "worshonds"(sausage dogs) because of their long low shape. The locos built as Class 25NC had a more conventional looking tender. As happens with similar locos these tenders have been swapped around over the years.
Whichever tender is fitted though, the overall impression of the Class 25NC is a massive locomotive. In later years the 25NC could be seen on the "Steel Kyalami" section between Kimberley and De Aar as well as the Kimberley to Bloemfontein line. They were also used exclusively in the latter years of steam on the Bloemfontein to Bethlehem line and could be seen thundering past Vailima Siding at the now Sandstone Estates.
Number 3488 was built as a condensing locomotive and converted to a Class 25NC in the late 70s. It is fitted with one of the long "worshond" tenders.
Towards the end of its active service 3488 was allocated to Kimberley's Beaconsfield Loco Shed and became the regular locomotive of British born John Gilberthorpe, a driver at the depot, who was joined as his fireman, before steam finished, by another ex pat Richard Niven. The loco was well looked after by this enthusiastic crew, and when withdrawn from service following dieselisation of the Steel Kyalami between Kimberley and De Aar, John and fellow countryman and Kimberley driver Geoff Hall bought the loco for preservation. Geoff's regular loco, which was also in good condition, ended up plinthed on Kimberley Station – Geoff was not amused!
The locomotive remained at Kimberley for some years before being transferred on loan to Sandstone in late 1998. It was returned to steam in 1999 for the Great 100 Working main line trains, no major work being required. It now awaits its next call to the main line. Some cosmetic work has been done but it is largely in as purchased condition. Number 3488 is staged at Sandstone's Ficksburg facility and has now been bought by the Sandstone Heritage Trust.
To emphasise its massive size, number 3488 weighs in at 223 tons and is nearly 108 feet (33m) long!