Class 24

The Class 24 is the only locomotive on the S.A.R. with a 2-8-4 wheel arrangement. One hundred were placed into service in 1948 and 1949 for use on branch lines with track as light as 40lbs. They were originally intended for service on the South West Africa system. When they were replaced by diesels they saw service in the Cape, the Transvaal and a few in the Orange Free State. North British Locomotive Co. were responsible for construction of all 100 locomotives. They have a one piece steel main frame cast integrally with the cylinders, The first time this technique was used on an S.A.R. locomotive. A Vanderbilt tender riding on six wheel Buckeye bogies were used. Tractive effort was 27,600 lbs at 75% boiler pressure.