South African Class 25 4-8-4

The South African Railways Class 25 4-8-4 of 1953 was a condensing steam locomotive. Between 1953 and 1955 the railways placed ninety Class 25 condensing locomotives with a 4-8-4 Northern wheel arrangement in service, alongside the Class 25NC, a non-condensing version. Condensing was meant to save water in arid regions such as the Great Karoo, and tests with a modified Class 20 saved about 90 percent of the water and 10 percent of the coal. The design is considered the ultimate South African non-articulated steam locomotive, designed under L.C. Grubb. Henschel designed the condensing apparatus and built number 3451, and the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow built the rest, numbered 3452 to 3540, delivered between 1953 and 1955. After their condensing gear was removed they served another eleven years.