This Garrett articulating locomotive (manufactured in the UK) is a typical locomotive in service on the rail line that runs north/south through the village near where the Meerkat Family's home is.
The articulating feature is an advantage allowing for increased power in places where mountainous terrain necessitates sharp railway turns (like some of the turns north of the village)...Without the articulation where sharp curves are often encountered, the size of the locomotive would otherwise have to be greatly limited in size, thus would result in a lack of power and traction needed for pulling loads up steep mountain grades.
Sharp railway curves is another reason the rail line is narrow gauge...A narrow gauge train can negotiate sharp turns that a wider standard gauge train can not.
In the tender section is wood. Angola's steam locomotives have always been wood burners with coal use being about nonexistent.
The front section is a tank with spare water for in the event of long distance runs between facilities to refill the boiler.