South African Loco 3007
The largest object in Riverside. Built in Glasgow in 1945, it spent its working life in South Africa.
About this steam locomotive
This locomotive, number 3007, was built in 1944-45 in Glasgow as part of an order of 60 locomotives for the South African Railways. It was built by the North British Locomotive Company, the largest locomotive builder in Europe. The company had three works in Glasgow and exported locomotives to railway all across the globe.
In April 1945, it was shipped to South Africa, where it was in service until 1988. During this time it hauled passenger and freight trains all across the country, and towards the end of its working life it was used to shunt rolling stock in railway yards.
The railways in South Africa, like all aspects of life, were controlled by strict racial laws. Apartheid, which began in 1948, dictated that black South Africans were barred from any skilled jobs with the railways like locomotive driver or engineer. There were separate carriages for the different race groups and even separate platforms at some stations.
Details
Object type: Steam locomotive
Artist/Maker: North British Locomotive Co Ltd maker
Place associated: Scotland, Glasgow, Polmadie, Queen's Park Works (place of manufacture); South Africa (place of use)
Date: 1944 - 1945
Materials: Metal, wood, glass
Dimensions overall: 3950mm x 22500mm x 3040mm
Weight: 180 metric ton
Credit Line/Donor: Purchased with grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, 2006
ID Number: T.2008.1
Location: Riverside Museum, Main Exhibition Area