In South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, the railways played a huge part in development and growth on nearly all terrains in the country. Conversely, events in South Africa and its neighbours over the years had a huge influence on the development of railways. When the articles on the locomotives of South Africa are read sequentially in the order of their years of entering railway service, much of the history of the country becomes apparent between the lines. At the same time, the development of steam locomotives can be followed from the basic 0-4-0 to the mighty wheel arrangements, and articulated steam locomotives from the Fairlies and the Kitson-Meyer to the Mallets and ultimately to the Garratts. Likewise with the development of modern traction such as electric, gas-electric, diesel-hydraulic, electro-diesel and diesel-electric locomotives. This article consists of links to articles on South African locomotives, arranged in the order of their years of entering service, with the links embedded in the applicable pictures. In addition, the opening dates of new railway lines are shown. Railway construction In South Africa and South West Africa, where the South African Railways operated, all early mainline railway construction took place working inland from harbours and ports. Construction on these lines began in the years from 1859 to 1887 in South Africa and from 1897 to 1908 in South West Africa. Cape Western – The Cape Town–Wellington line in 1859. Namaqualand – The Port Nolloth–O'okiep line in 1869. Cape Midland – The Port Elizabeth–Uitenhage line in 1872. Cape Midland – The Swartkops–Alicedale line in 1875. Natal – The Durban–Pietermaritzburg line in 1876. Cape Eastern – The East London–King William's Town line in 1876. Kowie – The Port Alfred–Grahamstown line in 1881. Transvaal – The Delagoa Bay–Pretoria line in 1887. South West Africa Central – The Swakopmund–Windhoek line in 1897. South West Africa Northern – The Swakopmund–Otavi line in 1903. South West Africa Southern – The Lüderitz–Keetmanshoop line in 1908. 1850s 1859 On 8 September the first railway locomotive arrives in South Africa. 1860s 1860 New lines opened: Natal – Durban to Point on 26 June. 1862 New lines opened: Cape Western – Cape Town to Stellenbosch on 1 May. The first gauge locomotive arrives in South Africa when the Table Bay Harbour Board acquires a single broad gauge locomotive, builder or appearance unknown, for excavation and breakwater construction work. 1863 New lines opened: Cape Western