Class 34 Diesel Loco

The class 34 diesel loco is used on every duty, from some shunting, passenger and goods service.  It was built to 2 basic designs, one by EMD (type GT26MC), the other by GE(type U26C).  This is also an interesting class, because of the fact that some locos where built abroad, an some locally.  As far as my records have it, the breakdown of import vs. locally built looks something like this:
 
Series Make Imorted Local
34000 GE 3 122
34200 EMD 50 0
34400 GE 0 139
34600 GM(EMD) 0 100
34800 GM(EMD) 0 58
34900 GE 0 30
  TOTAL: 53 449
Please let me know if you have different information.

I have been fortunate with photographing the class 34s.  In a single day I got pictures of the most common color schemes currently around.
 
Class 34 Diesel no. 34 434, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.  This color scheme still dates from SAR/SAS.  Spoornet made short change of this, and changed to the orange scheme quite quick.
No. 34 434, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.  This is a GE loco built in South Africa.
No 34 434, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.
No 34 481, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002. As with all series 400 34s, this is a Locally built GE.
Left click for larger image
 No 34 464, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.  This maroon and white color scheme followd on the orange scheme, but, as you might have noticed, this loco has a lower number that the orange one above.  Spoornet basically only repaints locos if they go to the shops for a major overhaul/rebuild.  The orange and brown locos above might see the rest of their service in their respective colors, or get repainted to the current scheme, which is the blue in the following pics.
No 34 464, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.
No 34 464, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.
No 34 420, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.  Another of the non-sequential number examples.  This loco was in virtually shop condition when these photos were taken.  It was most likely not used for more than a couple of days. as there were still hardly a sign of dust, diesel oro oil to be seen on it.
No 34 420, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.
No 34 420, Photographed at Millsite diesel, December 2002.  Getting ready for a refuel.  A sanding tower is visible in the left side of the pic.

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copyright Francois Kritzinger, 2003,  unless otherwise stated.
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