A BIG THANK YOU to the folks at the BCL Mine who were so cordial and accommodating during our visit.
Selebi Phikwe: Botswana - Class 19D 4-8-2 starts to pull out with a full load just before dusk.
Fresh out of the shop from a recent rebuild, engine 12 puts on a great show as it comes from shaft #2
Another photo of 19D, engine #12, as it makes a run with recently loaded cars.
One of the few places left on earth where steam is staying strong. Diesel is too expensive, so the coal-burners need to be repaired and maintained as long as possible.
A great scene for rail fans: two steamed up engines take on water as they prepare for a work day at the BCL mine.
Sliding doors to the coal cars means that a lot of labour is needed to empty the cars.
Wheel sets wait in the back of the shops for their call to duty.
train botswana
Engine #12 waits at shaft #4 as cars are loaded for transport.
Nowhere else in the world do you get to see two 19D engines under steam and hard at work.
Engine 12 works into the night as the rail fans prepare to head back to the hotel.
Hitching a ride: one of th train crew at the BCL mine in Botswana catches a ride as engine #6 passes through the yard.
A worker prepares to do some maintenance at the Selebi Phikwe mine in Botswana while engine 5 sits cold in the background.
A few moments of down time are enjoyed by the crew of engine 6 as it sits by the shops.
Engine #6 does some shunting work in the BCL yard.
Looking like doctors going to the E.R, two workers try to open the door for the smoke box on engine 12.
A breeze kicks up the smoke and dust as a worker rakes up the coal chunks line-side.
The last rays of light strike the nose of engine #12 as it heads back to the yard with a full load.
Steam locomotive #9 pauses for a few moments of reflection =;0)
Engine 12 puts on quite a smoke show as it comes through the yard.
Locomotive 12, already loaded with coal, prepares to have a drink at the water tower.
Two 19Ds shunt in the yard as they prepare to start the day at the BCL mine in Botswana.
