Service South African Class 4A 4-8-2

armoured class 4ar no. 1554, 1942

during second world war, class 4a no. 1554 equipped tempo­rary protective armour serve locomotive of armoured train. locomotive , train stationed @ mapleton camp of union defence force, sar&h brigade trained before going north middle east.

armoured boiler cladding added. cab, front , sides of smokebox enclosed , fittings on top of boiler , firebox such safety valves , top feed boxed in armour. armour plating fitted sides of running boards. picture shows locomotive , armoured train being inspected during 1942 honourable f.c. sturrock mp, south africa’s minister of transport @ time.

the last class 4ar locomotive withdrawn shunting operations on west rand in 1974 after more 60 years in service. remained working in industrial service several more years, last 1 being retired apex colliery in 1983.