Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #128 begins on 15 Jan 2026

Moir (Sydney M.)

TWENTY-FOUR INCHES APART:

the two-foot gauge railways of the Cape of Good Hope

Published: Janus Publishing, Kempton Park, 1981

Edition: Second edition

Reserve: $40

Approximately:

Estimate: $50

Bidding opens: 15 Jan 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 22 Jan 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 215 preview

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182 pages, [20] pages of plates: illustrations, maps. Cloth, dust wrapper.


Moir delves into the growth of railways in the Cape and explains how decisions made all over the world at the start of railway expansion had an impact on the development of those nations. The first decision saw England chose Stephenson's 4' 8 ½" gauge against Brunel's 7' gauge. Most countries adopted the 4' 8 ½", but the Cape adopted a 3' 6" gauge to cut costs. In this manner they also built two 2' gauge railways between Avontuur and Port Elizabeth and from Kalbaskraal to Hopefield via Darling. Moir points out that by 1900 about 10% of railway lines were not owned by the Cape government - a debate still ongoing in the Cape!

  • Jacket Condition: Excellent
  • Binding Condition: Excellent
  • Overall Condition: Excellent
  • Size: 22,5 x 14 cm


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