A steam locomotive is a locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. The term locomotiverefers to any self-propelled vehicle. This may also include a road locomotive such as atraction engine or steam car, however when the term is used on its own, it commonly refers to a railway locomotive. Its purpose is to haul a train for freight wagons or passenger coaches along a railway track. The locomotive is usually fueled by coal, wood or oil. This fuel is burned to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine. Both fuel and water supplies are carried with the locomotive, either on the locomotive itself or in wagons pulled behind.
In South Africa an oil embargo combined with an abundance of cheap local coal and a cheap labour force, ensured steam locomotives survived into the 1990s. By 1994 almost all commercial steam locomotives were put out of service, although many of them are preserved in museums or at railway stations for public viewing. Today only a few privately owned steam locomotives are still operating in South Africa, namely the ones being used by the 5-star luxury train Rovos Rail, and the tourist trainsOuteniqua Tjoe Choo, Apple Express and (until 2008) Banana Express. (Source: wikipedia)
Unfortunately I couldn´t find out which steam locomotive is represented on the MS, so if somebody knows this please inform me too.
I was wondering what SAPDA means; well it is the abbreviation for South African Philatelic Dealers Association.
Title: SAPDA ´99 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
Date of Issue: 30 April 1999
Country: South Africa
Denominations: Standardised Mail - R5.00
Source: http://www.sapo.co.za/
Nice:)
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