This series of 10-pages contains information, supplied by Mike Cottrell of the Convenor of the Railway History Society and presented to the RSSA (KZN Branch), of the early days of the railway in South Africa starting with the first ever SA loco, "Natal", that ran from Durban (Market Square) to Point Station at 11h00 26th June 1860
In fact the very first train, a freight train, ran the other way around on 23rd June 1860

Copyright exists on all pictures contained herein and thus permission must be granted by Mike before any photographs in this collection are used for any other publication. He can be contacted at mcottrell{at}mweb.co.za


Pictured above is a scale model of "Natal" that started this famous train journey.
Picture courtesy of Andy Anderson and D.S.M.E. - Virginia, KZN



The model of "Natal II " fired up and ready to go on the track at Durban Society of Model Engineers (DSME), Virginia, KZN on Sunday 27th June 2010
Pictured above Andries Keyser (seated) of Pietermaritzburg Society of Model Engineers and Mike Cottrell of the Railway History Society


Pictured above is a reconstruction of the original "Natal" loco in the concourse at Durban Station
It is based on the original chassis and wheels which were recovered in the Umzimvubu River near Port St Johns.

The NATAL came out in parts in the sailing ship Cadiz to Durban and was put together by Henry Jacobs on the site of the Market Square station. Jacobs was, as can be seen, a man of many parts, and, like most of the pioneer engine-men, a practical engineer quite capable of assembling, driving and repairing his own locomotive. [source: John R Day]

The crates, containing the components of the engine, were offloaded from the Brig "Cadiz" on May 13, 1860, and brought in open wagons to the makeshift engine shed, a timber frame covered with tarpaulins, in Pine Terrace. Here Henry Jacobs, who was not only the Chief Engineer, but also the fitter and the driver, assisted by Alexander Davidson, formerly a marine engineer, assembled the "iron horse". The bodywork of the 12-ton engine was painted green, while the four wheels and connecting rods were of a copper colour. Prominent features were the huge dome cover of polished brass, and the American design chimney, which incorporated a wire mesh to trap the sparks emanating from the firebox. Burnished copper plates, on either side of the cab, displayed the name of the engine: "NATAL"


A complete set of stamps went on sale by the South African Post Office across the country on 25th June to commemorate this historic event

Copyright South African Post Office

Painted by the famous locally based Paul Treleven this painting, for sale, forms part of a series of 12 pictures depicting 150-years of railways in South Africa

Also see here the rest of the paintings in the commemorative series


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