The newly built Gautrain is featured on one of 10 new South African stamps to commemorate 150 years of railways in the country.
The Gautrain is however a break with South African tradition as it is standard gauge (about 1.4 metres) compared to the majority of the country’s railways which are 3ft 6ins gauge (about 1 metre).
The South African government wants to change the rail network to standard gauge in the long term but rail operator Transnet says such a change is unrealistic and not cost-effective because there is 14,000 miles of “Cape gauge” track which also exists in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland and Mozambique.
The new Gautrain service is worked by Derby-built four-car Electrostar multiple-unit trains supplied by Bombardier.
The stamps feature the 1954-built steam class 25 Condensor locomotives and five other steam locos, including the Red Devil.
For more information: SA150
Stamps of success
Author: Ray King - Published Wed 30 of Jun, 2010 23:30 BST - (7600 Reads)
Picture: South African Post Office