12/06/2026
'Locomotive Digestion'
On a cool February morning in 2026, the crew of Class 15F No. 3117 go about cleaning out the previous night's "digestion" from the mighty locomotive's firebox. Burning the low-grade, high-ash coal for which South Africa became well known often resulted in the formation of stubborn clinker - fused masses of ash and impurities that had to be painstakingly broken up and removed by hand before the next day's duties could begin. It is dirty, demanding work, but an essential part of keeping steam alive.
Wonder Steam Trains, Pretoria.
February 2026.
