South African locomotive history

In South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, the railways played a huge part in development and growth on nearly all terrains in the country.

Conversely, events in South Africa and its neighbours over the years had a huge influence on the development of railways.

When the articles on the locomotives of South Africa are read sequentially in the order of their years of entering railway service, much of the history of the country becomes apparent between the lines.

Likewise with the development of modern traction such as electric, gas-electric, diesel-hydraulic, electro-diesel and diesel-electric locomotives.

This article consists of links to articles on South African locomotives, arranged in the order of their years of entering service, with the links embedded in the applicable pictures.