Zimbabwe - The Last Regular Working Garratt (Part 2). July 2017

The Hwange Colliery in Zimbabwe offers one of the very last regular steam operations in the world in 2017. Up until recently the coal mine had two Garratts operating but, on my recent visit in July this year, they appear to be down to the last steamable example. The colliery has numerous other Garratts (and other types) scattered around the depot, but none are in a working condition. Number 611 is a Class 16, 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 .... a truly magnificent machine .... way overpowered for the shunting and short trip working asked of it. On a normal Monday, 17th July 2017, with some security and normal working being done, the Garratt is seen shunting around the coal loading area. This, together with the hauling of loaded wagons the short distance to Thomson Junction, is the entirety of 611's work. Quite how long it will be before the diesels at TJ are allowed up to the colliery is not known at this stage. If you want to see a Garratt hauling freight, I suggest you take an African safari as soon as possible !