Unsafe Acts on the Narrow Gauge

That picture of the brakeman standing on 488's snow plow (Stormy Cumbres turns November 23 1966) generated a number of comments in regard to safety. Since the next set of photos are far from Colorado I decided to start a new thread.

On the 2-foot gauge lines in South Africa both the NG-15 2-8-2s and the NGG-16 2-6-2 + 2-6-2s had rotating seats that allowed sitting inside the cab, as well as outside. I've paced the NGG-15s at an incredible 40 mph plus on manicured track. I don't recall if anyone was sitting outside at that speed.

Here is a train load of export apples for the cooling sheds at Port Elisabeth on the 200-mile PE - Avontuur line. The fireman is keeping pleasantly cool sitting outside with his feet dangling above the void. Safe? Everyone was doing it.



Here is driver R. Deacon sitting outside reaching thru the window to the Throttle ( Port Shepstone - Harding line, Natal)



When I visited the Welsh Highlands Railway in Wales last October, I was curious if that swing seat was still installed on their NGG-16s. They were gone - not allowed in the UK I was told by the driver.