South African Railways in the Early 1980s Through Fascinating Photos

Rail transport in South Africa is an important element of the country’s transport infrastructure. All major cities are connected by rail, and South Africa’s railway system is the most highly developed in Africa. The South African rail industry is publicly owned.

These fascinating photos from Michel Huhardeaux were taken by his wife Nicole during their second trip to South Africa in 1980 and 1981.

Class 12A shunting at De Aar Station - South African Railways, 1980

Class 14R AIDA shunting in De Aar Station - South African Railways, 1980

Class 15F at Germiston (SA) Depot - South African Railways, 1980

Crew of an S1 Shunter at Germiston (SA) Station - South African Railways, 1980

Crew of an S1 Shunter at Germiston (SA) Station - South African Railways, 1980

De Aar Depot - South African Railways, 1980

De Aar Depot during Christmas Holiday (traffic close to zero) - Class S1 Locomotive - South African Railways, 1980

De Aar Station - South African Railways, 1980

De Aar Station - South African Railways, 1980

De Aar Station, platform 1 - South African Railways, 1980

Germinston (SA) Locomotive Depot - South African Railways, 1980

Germiston (SA) Loco Maintenance Shop - South African Railways, 1980

Germiston (SA) Loco Shed - South African Railways, 1980

Germiston (SA) Locomotive Depot - South African Railways, 1980

Germiston Loco Shed - South African Railways, 1980

Germiston SAR Yard - Class S1 Locomotive - South African Railways, 1980

Inside De Aar Loco Shed - South African Railways, 1980

Inside De Aar Loco Shed - South African Railways, 1980

Passenger train leaving De Aar - South African Railways, 1980

Shunting Operations in Noupoort for the Cape - Port Elizabeth Express - South African Railways, 1980

Class 15AR's at Sydenham Locomotive Shed - South African Railways, 1981

In a suburban train between Port Elizabeth and Swartkops - South African Railways, 1981

Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape, SA), Class 15AR on Shunting Duties - South African Railways, 1981

Port Elizabeth Station (Eastern Cape province, South Africa), 1981

Port Elizabeth Station (Eastern Cape province, South Africa), 1981

Port Elizabeth Station (Eastern Cape, South Africa), 1981

Small Station on the way to Bloemfontein - South African Railways, 1981

Small Station on the way to Bloemfontein - South African Railways, 1981

Suburban (Uitenhage-Port Elizabet) Passenger Train near Swartkops (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

Sydenham SAR Depot (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

Sydenham SAR Depot (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

Sydenham SAR Depot (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

Sydenham SAR Depot (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

Sydenham SAR Depot (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

Sydenham SAR Depot (Eastern Cape, SA) - South African Railways, 1981

(Photo © Nicole Huhardeaux-Dufrasne)