During the 1980s and into the 1990s, South Africa operated one of the last great steam shows on Earth : the 235 km long double track main line between Kimberley and De Aar. This was the stage for South African Railways' finest : the mighty 4-8-4s which were the masters of this challenging route and left an indelible impression upon any steam enthusiast (and many others) fortunate enough to witness these giants of the rails handle the long and heavy trains that were regularly assigned to them. Single and doubleheaded workings were in evidence and the bulk of the work fell to the Class 25NCs, which were of two variants : those built as 'straight' 25NC and those converted to the same specification from former Class 25 Condensers. The 25NCs were not the only 4-8-4s active on the route : they were also joined by the sole surviving operable Class 25 and the only member of Class 26. These two locomotives were often active on regular service trains, not only on this main line, but also on the route east from Kimberley to Bloemfontein. However, it is for their work on the main line from Kimberley to De Aar that these mighty 4-8-4s will always be best remembered. This book showcases 'real' steam action. Locally based locomotives, on regular revenue earning service trains, both freight and passenger. Day and night, this was a railway that never slept. There are no special or charter trains to be seen here; only the real daily grind of these magnificent 4-8-4s doing what they were designed to do, and they certainly did that in impressive style. The presentation is in chronological order 1982 - 1992.