The 3'6" gauge railway operation at the Rustenburg Platinum Mine was of relatively little interest to photographers in South Africa until 1980, by which time most of the line work was - to all intents and purposes - handed over to a fleet of 65 year old former South African Railway locomotives. Whilst these served a useful stopgap, and at least one survived in service until 1995, it was not long before larger locomotives of Class 15CB put in an appearance, but the best was yet to come. Eventually, the core of operations was in the hands of large numbers of Classes 15CA and 15F locomotives, more than fifty eventually working here at some time or other, on hire from South African Railways.

The staff of the Rustenburg Mine Railway were proud of their locomotives, imaginative (but tasteful) colour schemes making an occasional appearance, regardless of actual ownership. Despite operating on a 24 hour, 6 day a week basis, the mine railway could often be relied upon to turn out some locomotives in commendably clean condition. Over a thirteen year timeframe, the Author visited this industrial railway on some 48 occasions, particularly in the final few years of steam activity. On some visits, there was little by way of satisfactory photographic reward, but sheer persistence and a highly detailed knowledge of the locations and gradients along this 30 km long railway system has resulted in a comprehensive archive, the best of which has been compiled to form this superb photographic tribute. The book is enhanced by a map, technical information, lively anecdotes and full caption information. NB The book is also available in a (more economical) standard landscape version - see seperate catalogue entry.