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The Pride of Africa

South African Railways 25NC

This is a peak into my imagination. In my mind’s eye, I often picture wheels screaming round and round, crossheads pounding back and forth, and cab rides at high speed. Thoughts of steam fill my mind at all hours of the day, and my dreams at night. These things aren't just machines. They are so much more.

Steam inspires me, but the people who worked it inspire me even more. That's why I've chosen the 25NC. I've read a bunch of stories and watched videos put out by this old South African railway man. He was there until the end of steam in the 1990s. The stories he tells provide a wonderful insight into railway life, and the strong friendships the railway men formed with one another.

Now, about the picture. This was very fun and experimental. I'm not good and conveying motion, so I want to get better at it. I think I did alright with the wheels and rods. At first, I wanted to do the front end (the "business end," some might say), but I decided to take it easy on myself and do the back end. If I had colors at my disposal, I would set the picture during the night, and have the rods barely lit by the orange glow from the firebox. Maybe another time.