Catalogue - New Works (Ficton & non-ficton)

Steam Locomotives of Rhodesia Railways: The Story of Steam 1892-1979
by Eward D. Hamer

Books of Zimbabwe, 1981
195 x 215 mm, xxiv, 194 pp., Colour frontispiece, 126 b & w photographic illus., 28 diagrams, 58 tables, l map, Foreword by Sir Roy Welensky, 5 Appendices, Bibliography.
ISBN (Std) 0 86920 221 9

Zimbabwe is one of the dwindling number of countries around the world where steam locomotives are still in operation. Despite the challenges of the diesels over more than twenty-five years, and now of electrification, the 'steamers' have more than held their own and may be expected to be around for many years yet.

Edward Hamer, a draughtsman with Rhodesia Railways during the 1970s and a steam 'buff, has produced what could be the definitive work on all types of steam locos, from Jack Tar to the giant 225-ton 20A Class Beyer-Garratts, that have served the system which extended from the Mozambique and South African borders through to the border of the former Belgian Congo. He has worked with and personally knows all the types still in service, and research into Rhodesia Railways (now National Railways of Zimbabwe) records provided the early historical material.

For reading pleasure the technical data has been separated from the narrative and is presented in tabular form. His historic collection of black and white illustrations is excellent and is supplemented by a complete range of locomotive diagrams.


"The author. . . has done enormous research into the purchase, specifications and subsequent fate of almost all steam locomotives on the system over the years.
"There are facts and technical details which only the experts will appreciate."
THE HERALD

"The narrative is very readable and provides an excellent introduction to the many and varied tables, which give the reader a/most every piece of information he might need."
NATIONAL RAIL WAYS OF ZIMBABWE MAGAZINE

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