The Spirit of Steam – Smith, Bourne

Description

The Spirit of Steam by Smith and Bourne is a captivating celebration of South Africa’s unique position in preserving the steam locomotive, one of the last nations to operate steam-powered trains for both passenger and freight transport. The book offers a rare look into a rail system that blends industry with breathtaking natural scenery, where mines and industries maintain a private collection of locomotives that can only be found in museums elsewhere in the world.

Through stunning colour photography and an engaging narrative, the book takes readers on a journey across South Africa’s varied landscapes—from sun-scorched plains to mountains dusted with snow, and winding narrow-gauge tracks through lush forests and subtropical regions. The book not only showcases the impressive variety of locomotive types still in operation but also delves into the lives of the men who work the engines, stoking the fires and mastering the power of these steel giants.

The Spirit of Steam evokes the essence of steam travel—the billowing smoke, the smell of sulphur, and the gritty feel of cinders—as it brings to life the physical and emotional intensity of riding aboard a locomotive. This book offers armchair travelers a chance to experience the heat of the engine cab, the pulse of the locomotive in full throttle, and the excitement of hearing the wheels echo through the vast South African terrain.