15F Loco Model
15f Loco Model LT_1962_15_d
Model of a South African Railways class 15F steam locomotive. The model was built by Sinclair Model Engineering of Glasgow for the North British Locomotive Company.
Comment by O.S.Nock, railway historian
They certainly rank as one of the really great engine designs of the steam era…
From: O.S.Nock, railway historian
Comment by Richard Niven
The 15Fs were perhaps South African Railways' best all round steam locomotives…The 15Fs were the largest fleet of any class of steam locomotive to operate on the SAR (South African Railways). They were ultra modern for their time…
From: Richard Niven
Question by Glasgow Museums
Do you remember locomotives being exported from Glasgow? Maybe you even travelled on the 15f when it was in South Africa?
Eyewitness by John Messner
The locomotive came off the ship after its long voyage from South Africa. The crane raised it from the hold and for a moment the locomotive hung in midair, 100 tonnes of metal just floating in front of me.
From: John Messner, transport and technology curator, Museum of Transport
Eyewitness by Richard Niven
Shoveling coal on one of the 15Fs on an express passenger train took great skill from the fireman and much hard work. It was not unusual for a fireman to have emptied all 14 tonnes of coal in the tender within a 200-mile journey.
From: Richard Niven, former fireman, South African Railways
Eye Witness by Andrew Howe, Conservator
When we were helping manoeuvre the loco into George square, I remember thinking how big the engine looked on the back of the lorry during the tight right-hand turn outside GoMA on Queen Street at 5.30am.
From: Andrew Howe, Conservator
Eye Witness by Richard Niven
During the busy years of steam most of the 15Fs had mechanical stokers fitted but there still remained a few that were hand fired machines.
From: Richard Niven, former fireman on South African Railways
