Mailbag

Orient Express F Class Review

I would like to make some observations regarding Peter Michalak’s review of the Orient Express Reproductions SAR F class tank locomotives in AMRM Issue 333 (December 2018).

The train loads that the F class could haul were far more generous than Peter stated. On the Port line in 1954, up to seven side loading ‘dog boxes’ were scheduled, a maximum load up to 280 tons. To Marino, six cars were regularly hauled, maximum 192 tons (seven car trains were Rx hauled). To Belair up to four cars were hauled, a maximum load of 130 tons. Also of interest is that train loads were shown for F class to Reynella, outside the then suburban area. On freight trains between Dry Creek and