Locomotives of Zimbabwe and Botswana

Text in englisch From the pioneering escapades of Cecil Rhodes and the first entry of the railway into Rhodesia and Bechuanaland over a century ago, the story of the locomotive stock used in those territories has been full of interest. This definitive study is the result of two decades of research and follows the development of that initially British but later much more cosmopolitan stock from those early days to the present time, and included in this eminently readable survey is much hitherto unpublished material concerning the ‘sanctions-busting’ locomotives imported to Rhodesia during the turbulent 1970s. Zimbabwe will forever be associated with the impressive Beyer-Garratt locomotives and this book contains the full story of their introduction, development and gradual demise. All the various locomotive types, be they steam, internal combustion or electric, are described in detail and the text is supplemented with copious illustrations and line drawings. Formerly an Engineering Assistant with Rhodesia Railways/NRZ, Rev Ted Hamer spent nearly two decades in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, with the occasional foray into Botswana, and used the time wisely in collating data for this book. 224 pages 210x297 mm, 380 ill in colour and b&w, hardback with dust jacket.