The Namaqualand Railway was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway operating between Port Nolloth and O'okiep in the Namaqualand region of the former Cape Colony in South Africa. It was originally a mule-drawn railway built to provide an outlet for the copper mines of the region. Constructed between 1869 and 1876, the railway was 93+1⁄2 miles (150 kilometres) long, with an additional 8 miles purely associated with the copper mine workings. Although owned by the Cape Copper Company, the railway always operated as a public railway.[1][2]
The railway pre-dated the construction of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) railways in South Africa. Because of the success of the Namaqualand line, 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge was strongly promoted by civil engineer R. Thomas Hall, Superintendent of the narrow gauge Redruth and Chacewater Railway in Cornwall who was involved in the construction of the Namaqualand Railway, as the primary gauge for railway construction in South Africa. The final decision was a compromise between the two recommended gauges and the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) came into existence in Africa.[1][3]
After copper mining ceased in 1928 the railway was temporarily closed until 1937 when mining activities resumed.[4]
The Namaqualand Railway finally closed in 1944.[2]
Railway Map from the early part of the line's existence, c. 1876
^ abBagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the Namaqualand Railway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. pp. 8–11. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0.
Namaqualand (Khoikhoi: "Nama-kwa" meaning Nama Khoi people's land) is an arid region of Namibia and South Africa, extending along the west coast over...
The NamaqualandRailway was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway operating between Port Nolloth and O'okiep in the Namaqualand region of the former...
to enter service on the hitherto mule-powered NamaqualandRailway between Port Nolloth and the Namaqualand copper mines around O'okiep in the Cape Colony...
Cape Copper Mining Company on its 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge NamaqualandRailway between Port Nolloth and O'okiep in the Cape Colony. They are the...
the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 0869772112. Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines...
31st December, 1909. Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0. Holland...
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius. September 4 – The first rails of the NamaqualandRailway is laid. 2 October – Mahatma Gandhi, Indian activist and politician...
NamaqualandRailway between Port Nolloth and O'okiep. Transvaal Two new Cape gauge locomotive types enter service on the Imperial Military Railways (IMR):...
Timeline 1658-present Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0. Holland...
Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 182, ref. no. 200954-13 Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines...
Each Section of Railway, Statement No. 19, p. 181, ref. no. 200954-13 Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines...
Class 8A on the SAR. Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. pp. 35–39. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0...
2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge railways are narrow gauge railways with track gauge of 2 ft 6 in (762 mm). This type of rail was promoted especially in the colonies...
Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. pp. 25–27, 40. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0. South African Railways and Harbours Locomotive...
31st December, 1909. Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. pp. 25–28. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0...
Port Nolloth is a town and small domestic seaport in the Namaqualand region on the northwestern coast of South Africa, 144 kilometres (89 mi) northwest...
World War fighter pilot, dies in an aircraft accident in France. The NamaqualandRailway line from Port Nolloth to O'okiep is closed. Statement Showing, in...
R.3125-6/9/11-1000) Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the NamaqualandRailway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0. Holland...
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