Narrow Gauge on Ocean Cliffs

As a change of pace from narrow gauge clinging to ledges in the Rocky Mountains, here is a narrow gauge railroad clinging to ledges along ocean cliffs. The sea in this set of photos is the Indian Ocean, and the railroad is the 3ft 6in narrow gauge branch from George to Knysna in South Africa. In the '70 and '80s this branch featured several mixed trains each day. Locomotives were 24-class 2-8-4s based in George, sharing engine facilities with GEA and GMAM 4-8-2+2-8-4 garrats working Montagu Pass over the Outeniqua Mountains.

The most dramatic setting on the Knysna branch was the Kaimaans River bridge just beyond a series of tunnels along the rock ledge



The scene could be filled with rushing water as the tide rolled in



Or it could be smooth as silk at low tide



On the last lap into Knysna the line ran along tidal estuaries