the uloliwe

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THE ULOLIWE

SOUTH AFRICA – SUID-AFRIKA

A monthly railway historical and research publication

‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie

Vol 3 No 7

Un-official / Nie Amptelik - Gratis Everything to do with the

former SA Railways: i.e.

lighthouses, harbours, staff,

photos, books, RMT,

stations, tugs, SAR Police,

SAA, catering, pipelines,

stamps, models, rolling

stock, armoured trains,

diagrams, etc

Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA

[email protected]

June 2012

GMAM 4070 by R S Maidment-Wilson

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Contents

Welcome .............................................................................................................................................................7

Front Cover – Voorblad:...................................................................................................................................7

Disclaimer ..........................................................................................................................................................7

Filler: Pretoria Railway Station designed by Sir Herbert Baker .................................................................8

Editorial – Redaksioneel...................................................................................................................................8

Main Stories .......................................................................................................................................................9

SAR Class 15F No 3007 at the Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland – Bruno Martin ....................9

Troop Trains during South African Border War – Johan Jacobs (ex Marine - Benoni) .....................13

The Kruger Saloons - Ray Ellis (Australia) .............................................................................................16

Railway Philately – Stan Kantor ...............................................................................................................25

Wepener’s Perambulations ............................................................................................................................28

The silos at Hennenman .............................................................................................................................28

Gunhill yard shunt & Gunhill petrol shunt ............................................................................................29

Grasslands ....................................................................................................................................................30

New Rollingstock – Grasslands ................................................................................................................31

SAR locomotive 91d No 2682: Schweizer-Reneke ..................................................................................32

SAR archival matter: 1981 SAR Form ......................................................................................................33

Transmed ......................................................................................................................................................34

Station Name Boards ..................................................................................................................................35

Railway History of South Africa –HBH .......................................................................................................36

CGR: Neilson “4 Coupled Joys”................................................................................................................36

NGR: 6- Wheeled Coupled Tank Engine – NGR Rebuilt ......................................................................36

Cape Town Station - What has happened to Blackie? ...........................................................................37

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OVS Staatspoorwegen (OVSS) ......................................................................................................................37

- OVSS Van ...............................................................................................................................................37

- President MT Steyn’s Carriage ...............................................................................................................37

Filler: 1925 Petrus Steyn: Free State ..............................................................................................................38

NZASM.........................................................................................................................................................39

Anglo Boer War – NZASM Pretoria .............................................................................................................39

Stations– J Wepener ........................................................................................................................................40

Petrusburg ....................................................................................................................................................40

Winsorton Road ..........................................................................................................................................40

SAR Goods sheds Virginia .........................................................................................................................41

SAR and World War 2 ....................................................................................................................................42

SAR Traction and Rolling Stock ....................................................................................................................42

TransnetSA Metro Rail ...................................................................................................................................43

Longest Metro Rail Services – J & J Wepener ..........................................................................................43

Metrorail's service just won't do, says Zuma ..........................................................................................44

Treine bots in Kaapstad ..............................................................................................................................46

Gautrain ............................................................................................................................................................47

Leermeester: Jack van der Merwe .............................................................................................................47

Photographs: Robert Maidment-Wilson ......................................................................................................50

Photo reports ...................................................................................................................................................53

Accident nr Welgedag on the Amajuba power station line- Rudi Venter ..........................................53

Filler: 1936 Empire Exhibition – RMT No 335 .........................................................................................55

Natal Midlands - Jacobus Marais ..............................................................................................................56

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Youth Train ..............................................................................................................................................56

35-671 “From the Top” ...........................................................................................................................58

18-542 at the head of a “Crain-Train” ...................................................................................................59

No 15097 – Train Dynamics Test Coach ..............................................................................................59

NVLJ2 94-846-510 .....................................................................................................................................62

Old Merrivale Station .............................................................................................................................62

Cement Truck (Former fruit truck) .......................................................................................................63

Rail Engineering ......................................................................................................................................64

Bot River - Phil Beck ...................................................................................................................................64

Namibia: Aus station – Annie Lancaster .................................................................................................66

Railway People – Spoorwegmense ...............................................................................................................69

Mnr Hendrik Birkholtz: Rapport: Transnet moet 11% teruggee .........................................................69

Mr Les and Mrs Carol Pivnic and Ms Ann Smith ..................................................................................70

Mrs Carol Pivnic: “Carol” - 25NC No 3414 ............................................................................................73

Previous issues of Uloliwe .............................................................................................................................74

Rail Humour ....................................................................................................................................................74

Book Shelf .........................................................................................................................................................75

SAR’s Road Motor Transport Service [RMT] ..............................................................................................75

RMT : Passenger Motor Omnibus ............................................................................................................75

South African Airways ...................................................................................................................................76

SAA History .....................................................................................................................................................76

Harbours...........................................................................................................................................................76

Catering Division ............................................................................................................................................76

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Railway Police: Maj Beyer and Brig JB Bester, DSO ...................................................................................76

Rhodesia Railways, National Railways of Zimbabwe – J Batwell ...........................................................77

Rovos Rail - Rapport (Afrikaans Sunday paper) ........................................................................................81

Bekoor deur die wêreld se luuksste trein - Eppy Strydom ...................................................................81

Memories: Bosveld Train Safaris – HBH .....................................................................................................85

On the way to Namibia ..........................................................................................................................85

Reefsteamers: Situation Reports – Lee Gates ..............................................................................................86

Reefsteamers - Steam Locomotive Depot Open Day Confirmed - Saturday, 28th July 2012 ...........88

Umgeni Steam Railway: GMAM 4074 .......................................................................................................102

Paton’s Country Railway .............................................................................................................................102

Patons Country Railway Annual Aloe Train Trips ..........................................................................102

Filler: Specie Van No 4094 Gold Reef City – Johannes Botha .................................................................102

Umgeni Steam Railway - Ashley Peter ......................................................................................................102

RAILWAY SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA NATAL – A Peter ......................................................104

Programme Announcements : July 2012 ........................................................................................105

How to Enter ..........................................................................................................................................107

Filler: “Kobus” – Petrus Botha ............................................................................................................108

Railwayana – Hein Truter ............................................................................................................................109

Filler: GCR Paper clip – Dries van der Merwe ..................................................................................110

Friends of the Rail - Rekord Moot Pretoria ...............................................................................................110

South African Models ...................................................................................................................................112

Scalecraft: - Adrian Hill ............................................................................................................................112

In our Shed .............................................................................................................................................112

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News from the Training Room ...........................................................................................................114

Scale Tales & Tips ..................................................................................................................................115

Rail Mail .................................................................................................................................................117

Contact us ...............................................................................................................................................117

Adrian Hill says.....................................................................................................................................117

Dream Trains – Wynand Vermeulen .....................................................................................................117

Railway Modellers’ Information Group: Contact Details ...................................................................120

From the Press ...............................................................................................................................................120

Lorry hits Train ......................................................................................................................................120

Lorrie mis dongas, tref trein ................................................................................................................120

SA RAILWAY RELATED INTERNET GROUPS......................................................................................122

• Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe (sic) ......................................................122

• Yahoo: SAR-Miniatures – Adrian Hill .......................................................................................122

• Facebook: ‘RHODESIA RAILWAY’ Group - John Batwell ....................................................122

• Website for Reefsteamers: Lee Gates ..........................................................................................122

• Andre Kritzinger ...........................................................................................................................123

Filler: Boksburg Station – Johannes Botha .........................................................................................123

Filler: TransNamib – Steve Compion .................................................................................................123

Out of Africa ..................................................................................................................................................124

Map: Beira to Moatze in Mozambiqe - Bruno Martin ......................................................................124

J Beukes in Mozambiek ........................................................................................................................125

Lourenco Marques (Maputo) - Antonio Mendes......................................................................................129

Pandora’s Box ................................................................................................................................................129

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Garage doors: Believe it or not? ..........................................................................................................130

India ............................................................................................................................................................131

Mail Bag ..........................................................................................................................................................131

Les Pivnic: E1 & Railway Museum .........................................................................................................131

Col Andre H Kritzinger: Hextunnel .......................................................................................................133

J & J Wepener: Cleaning of Coaches .......................................................................................................133

Les Pivnic: Photo Coach Cleaning ..........................................................................................................137

J & J Wepener – Punctuality of the Blue Train ......................................................................................138

Lee Gates – Mr Whitehouse .....................................................................................................................138

Treintoere in Suider Afrika: JB Tours .........................................................................................................140

Stop Press .......................................................................................................................................................140

Welcome

Once again it is our honour and privilege to bid you welcome to this issue. Thank to you our reader

and all our correspondents and photographers. We did not want to exceed 100 pages! But for good

reasons this is a slightly thicker issue. Just relax, sit back and enjoy – its easy reading!

Front Cover – Voorblad:

To do justice to this cover picture, we have repeated it, go to page 50 and

enjoy this photograph of a Garratt, GMAM 4070 working its way up

Montagu Pass. Just last month I was sitting nearby eating my padkos –

lovely fish I bought in York Street, George, while enjoying the

grandstand view. The only thing missing? Yes, a few Garratts going up

and down the pass! Never the less much more enjoyable than an

expensive restaurant!

Disclaimer

We don’t like legalise, but it has to be there, so read the small print ….

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Readers and/or Viewers may use content from The Uloliwe for non-commercial purposes on condition that such material is attributed to

The Uloliwe and appropriate acknowledgement is given to the author and source. Where it is clear that any material and/or comment is

not made by The Uloliwe, this must be clearly stated.

The Uloliwe makes every reasonable attempt to screen or edit content in The Uloliwe by third parties, but does not accept any liability

for illegal, defamatory or obscene content. Readers and/or Viewers are encouraged to inform The Uloliwe of any content that may be

offensive or illegal.

Save where the views expressed are clearly those of The Uloliwe, no responsibility is accepted for the view of other contributors.

The Uloliwe does not accept any liability, nor will it be responsible for any damages howsoever arising when this information is

obtained and/or utilised in an unauthorised and/or illegal manner.

All advertisements are placed in the interest of our Readers and/or Viewers. Such advertisements are placed free of charge at the

discretion of The Uloliwe. The Uloliwe does not accept any liability nor will The Uloliwe be responsible for any damages howsoever

arising from such advertisements.

The main purpose of adverts is to be of an informative nature.

Filler: Pretoria Railway Station designed by Sir Herbert Baker

Jakaranda Stad!

Editorial – Redaksioneel

A Happy Birthday to our Patron, “Oom” Les Pivnic!

All seats please! Please sit back in your armchair and enjoy a quick rail trip through Southern Africa

and be up to date with all the “nice to know” things about railways in Southern Africa. There is

unfortunately no theme in this issue – the subjects received this month are very diverse. Regards,

Hennie Heymans.

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Main Stories

SAR Class 15F No 3007 at the Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland – Bruno

Martin

While in Glasgow recently, I visited the Riverside Museum of Transport which spreads

over two floors and houses over 3000 objects grouped into 150 separate, themed displays.

Entry is free, but cash donations are gladly accepted. There is a splendid collection of

railway locomotives, trams, models of ships and cars amongst other items on display – the

centrepiece being SAR class 15F, No 3007, which was rescued from the cutter’s torch in

Bloemfontein and shipped over to Glasgow in 2007. Loco 3007 represents one of 20,000

locomotives built in Scotland and shipped out to work overseas and one of a few that have

been brought back ‘home’ again.

Class 15F No 3007 is by far the largest object on display at the museum. The locomotive’s

great size is best appreciated when standing close up and seeing the colossus sitting on

rails that are only 1067mm apart.

After being returned to Glasgow in 2007, the locomotive was exhibited from 24 to 26

August in George Square for the launch of the Riverside Museum’s fund raising campaign.

Thereafter, the locomotive was moved to the Glasgow Museum’s Resource Centre, where

over a two-year period extensive conservation work was carried out. Although being in

overall good condition, a great deal of painstaking work was needed meet the

requirements of the Museum’s guidelines. Missing components such as copper pipes,

which were removed after the locomotive was taken out of service in the late 1980s, were

replicated. Rather than restoring the locomotive with a shiny paint finish, it was decided

not to make No 3007 look like new, but to let its matted finish reflect the hard working life

she endured over the 40 years’ service in South Africa. On the evening of 21 September

2010, SAR class 15F No 3007 was transported by road to take her place as one of the star

attractions when the Riverside Museum opened on 21 June 2011.

There is a film clip on YouTube about the ‘Train from Bloemfontein’ featuring 15F No 3007

at:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTISVynSbA

Another exhibit of interest is Highland Railway locomotive #103, designed by engineer

David Jones with the assistance of DA Hendrie in 1894. It was the most powerful

locomotive in Britain at the time, and the first to use the 4-6-0 wheel arrangement.

The South African connection is of course is that DA Hendrie took up the position of

Locomotive Superintendent with the Natal Government Railways early in January 1903.

Prior to taking up office in Durban, Hendrie had held the position of Works Manager and

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Assistant Locomotive Superintendent on the Highland Railway in Inverness, Scotland. He

went on to become the CME for South African Railways from 1910 until his retirement in

1922 and ranks as one of South Africa’s greatest locomotive engineers. During his term in

office the first class 15 locomotives took to the rails in 1914, the forerunners of one

Hendrie’s most successful steam locomotive designs.

At the museum’s shop I purchased a DVD titled “NORTH BRITISH - Locomotives for the

world’s railways” featuring old newsreel footage showing the processes involved in

manufacturing steam locomotives from start to finish at the North British Locomotive

Company Ltd, Queens Park Works in Glasgow – one of the locomotives, class 24 No 3675,

the 2000th to come off the assembly line ordered by South African Railways, receives a brief

mention.

The locomotive was named “Bartholomew Diaz”, after the first Portuguese explorer to sail

around the Cape and special name plates were cast to mark the occasion. In January 1950,

the then minister of Transport, Mr PO Sauer, unveiled the name plates at a formal handing-

over ceremony in Cape Town attended by Sir Andrew Duncan, and Mr WD Lorrimer,

director and managing director of NBL, respectively, other dignitaries, including the

Portuguese Ambassador to South Africa, members of Parliament and senior railway

officials. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newly named locomotive was put to work

a special train over Sir Lowry’s Pass while the guests were treated to lunch.

Additional information on Class 15F No 3007 can be obtained from the following links:

http://riversidemuseum.wordpress.com/tag/south-africa/

http://www.rubihorn.demon.co.uk/nblg/3007,%20Journey%20home.htm

http://www.ianclarkrestoration.com/138/SAR_15F_3007_Steam_Locomotive/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/Bl2jCmilQbyfC2xfGd7cCQ

http://www.sandstone-estates.com/index.php/railway-heritage/39-railway-heritage/784-

rn415-rescued-class-15f-number-3007

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Class_15F_4-8-2

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Troop Trains during South African Border War – Johan Jacobs (ex Marine -

Benoni)

Several readers of this railway magazine did their National Service in the South African

Defence Force in the early years from 1969 in till the nineties. They will

remember the troop trains they have taken to their various training bases and to the

Border war in SWA / Namibia. There were also numerous railroad workers on the

troop trains and although it was a military train the service was exceptional and

very professional.

I also remember the troop train I took in 1972 from Johannesburg station (photo 1) via Cape

Town station (photo 2) to Simonstown (photo 3) for my military

service in the South African Navy. We boarded the train in the evening at 9 pm

from platform 16. All the young servicemen stood around their families waiting to report

to a big guy clothed in a black uniform with yellow badges on his uniform and black

leggings around his ankles. He was a colossal figure of militarism and I

was quite startled to realise that I am now marching into the military - this was no longer

the book soldiers or the plastic soldiers in my room but the ‘real McCoy’. This

impressive guy was a Petty Officer (sergeant) and a senior instructor (photo 4). The swear

words rolled out of his mouth true to that of a sailor and we, the rookies, were

greeted with swear words which I would rather not mention here.

But what I really would like to talk about is the many troop trains that I, as a

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senior instructor, have escorted from 1978 till 1980. Young boys from Johannesburg

gathered at, formerly known as the Milnerton show grounds (photo 5), before they

travelled to their training bases in Cape Town and Saldanha.

The Army and Navy servicemen caught the same troop train that was at least 14 to 18

passenger coaches long.

The Army and Navy were each responsible for

their own servicemen and the troops of the Anti-

Aircraft Regiment of Cape Town and the Navy

troops were all in separ-

ate coaches. The doors between the

different units’ coaches were locked off for security

purposes.

For the young boys, their parents and girlfriends, it was a frightening sight to see all

the railway police men, soldiers and sailors in battle dress with assault rifles. Everywhere

among the rookies the senior officers moved around and orders were frequently barked

out. The military police with their dogs were searching luggage for drugs and alcohol.

Some of the mothers realized that this was no ‘Rambo’ movie and tears soon started rolling

down their cheeks as the goodbyes became quite an emotional experience. The instructors

on the other hand quite enjoyed observing all the nervous however aspirant troops moving

around between their families and their ‘nooientjies’ clinging to them until the very

last minute. A number of boys were very excited because it was their first train trip and

others straddled around bravely as if they were in charge among the other rookies. We

quickly spotted these guys and marked them for later on our trip we would sort them

out in front of their fellow troopers.

After final orders were given to greet the family, the boys were deployed

in the loading area and the gates closed. With the necessary inspections and paper

work completed, a cordon was formed on either side of the train by police

men, soldiers and sailors and the troops boarded the train under the watchful eyes of the

cordon of men. Nobody could now jump from the train without being seen. Once

the guidance officer was satisfied, the train departed.

The troop train was an express train that only stopped at most of the major stations on

route so that other servicemen could board the train. It also did not make use of the

Soweto line but moved on the the Krugersdorp line at a very fast speed. Every time the

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train stopped at one of the main stations, the escorting sailors and army troops jumped off

the train and formed a cordon on both sides of it in order to ward off any possible attacks.

This also prevented an opportunity for any of the new troops to escape. I

also understood that the Railways even delayed other express trains for the benefit of

troop trains.

The junior and senior instructors went from compartment to compartment and performed

their initiation rituals, focussing especially on the 'groot menere'. They especially enjoyed

observing the anxiety on the young men's faces. The tough guys were quickly sorted out

and brought down to earth in a very harsh manner and in a flood of the worst and most

unthinkable scowling and humiliating language.

In the early 1980s, the attacks from the ANC / PAC progressively started getting worse and

the intelligence agencies informed the forces that the troop trains may be targeted for

sabotage attacks. The Railway Police then had a separate electric unit travelling

approximately 500 meters ahead of the troop train to set off any explosives on the tracks

and also to secure the safety of the troop train. There was an average of five police

officers in one of these electric units while others travelled in the passenger coaches. The

Railway police looked quite terrifying in their camouflage clothing, armed to the teeth

with weapons and webbing attached to their bodies, we would refer to

them as 'Rambo's' although we ourselves must have been quite a rough

sight as well in our own combat armour. During the eighties an open

rolling stock car filled with sand bags was linked to the front of the

electric unit and the accompaniment of the troop trains became more

and more intense and conflict-orientated to cope with attacks. In the

middle of the 80’s the railway police used armour cars (photo 6) that run in few paces in

front of the troop train.

On one of these trips the train moved into the Potchefstroom station where some troops

were waiting to board the troop train, the front unit moved in first and quite fast along the

platform and police officers jumped out of the unit and took up position. They were

immediately followed by the troop train with more police officers, sailors and army men

jumping from the coaches and surrounding the train on either side. All this action almost

like a army movie from Hollywood was observed by a family accompanying a young troop

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waiting for the train – the poor Granny called out aghast “oh my child, my poor child” and

then fainted next to her as much astonished, family members.

Needles to say this caused somewhat of a commotion and the poor troop had to board in

spite of his concern about his dear fainted Granny. Fortunately he was later informed that

she was doing okay and he could then focus on his new adventure.

Besides the troop trains, I often accompanied navy men who had to attended military

camps in Durban and Cape town and had to travel by train. A number

of passenger coaches were linked to the Trans-Karoo and Trans-Natal express trains and on

these occasions the campers had easy access to alcohol beverages and other passengers.

The accompanying officers and senior NCO’s had a difficult time with the campers as a

direct result of this and had to deal with much improper behaviour on the trains. Female

passengers were harassed and many items like the green round pillows (known by the

troops as ‘kameel drolle’) in the compartments amongst other things were destroyed or

damaged. Some of these items were even thrown out by windows onto station platforms

and amongst people waiting on platforms along the line.

The Railway suffered millions of rand in damage as a result of the uncanny behaviour of

these men and it was decided that the Defence Force had to find alternative means to

transport for their members. I was also part of an investigation by the Navy at a later stage

to help establish alternative means of transport.

The passenger- and freight trains played a very important role during these years in South

Africa’s history of conflict and I have only shared with you but a small recollection out of

my military experience here. This done and said in appreciation of the SA Railways for

transporting so many service men and campers to and fro from various military bases and

serving them in such an esteemed professional manner over the many years of service.

I salute the South African Railways.

©Johan Jacobs 30/05/2012

The Kruger Saloons - Ray Ellis (Australia)

Uloliwe Vol 2 No 5 (revised) May 2011 refers

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Hi Hennie,

Hope all is ok with you. Have finally got around to printing off all issues of the Uloliwe, and what a

fine magazine it is, with much of interest.

Attached are some notes on what I call “the Kuger Saloons” which you might like to put in your

magazine when you have space. I hope you find these of interest.

Keep up the excellent work with magazine…

Best wishes,

Cheers

Ray Ellis

Hennie, you have done an excellent job of setting out the somewhat confused history of

these two magnificent saloons.

I would like to add some observations and photos, which hopefully will add to their

colourful story.

It is recorded that these two saloons were ordered from the Dutch builder, J.J. Baijnes,

Haarlem, in January 1894, and they were placed in service at the end of 1894 or early 1895

(the in service date of 1897 seems erroneous – see below). The coaches would have been

landed at Lourenco Marques / Delagoa Bay (today’s Maputo) and then railed inland to

Pretoria over the recently completed main line (1894) through Portuguese East Africa into

the South African Republic (Transvaal).

It has always surprised me that there was later confusion over which of these cars was

which! In my view the cars are clearly somewhat different. First and foremost are the roofs:

one has a distinctive overall roof, the other a clerestory roof. Kruger’s personal saloon

received a ‘second’ or double roof, which gave it a most distinctive look compared to other

NZASM carriages of the time. The second saloon retained its clerestory roof throughout its

life and still has it today. So using these distinguishing features, why the confusion with

which car is which?

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Very early in their lives it was found that the inter-connected twin 4-wheel carriages

arrangement was not going to work, and they were quickly placed on bogie under frames.

Whether these u/f’s were imported, built locally, or maybe re-cycled from two other bogie

carriages is not known (or not recorded). Both 4-wheel cars had very similar profiles at this

early stage of their lives. Both had clerestory roofs with a bellows connection between

them, but internally, whilst to the same lavish style, they were slightly different. Could the

1897 date, sometimes quoted as the ‘in service’ date for these saloons, be the date they were

placed on bogie under frames, and maybe when the ‘second’ roof was fitted to the Kruger

saloon?

It seems certain that the first saloon remained Kruger’s personal saloon until he left

southern Africa in the latter part of 1900. The second saloon seems to have been reserved

for the NZASM directors (Mr GAA Middleburg is mentioned) and important guests. As to

whether these cars were named or numbered by the NZASM seems to be unrecorded, and

photos during the pre-SAR days do not appear to show either names or numbers. Both cars

had coats of arms on the sides. Kruger’s car had that of the South African Republic

(Transvaal) and the Director’s car that of the NZASM. Ownership was retained by the State

and the NZASM railway respectively.

Kruger attended his last session of the Volksraad in May 1900 and then left Pretoria soon

after for the eastern Transvaal, in advance of the approaching British forces (Ied by Lord

Roberts). Kruger spent the next six months moving around to avoid capture. In October

1900, Kruger left the Transvaal and escaped into Portuguese East Africa, where, at

Lourenco Marques, he boarded the Dutch battleship HMS Gelderland, sent by the Dutch

Queen, Wilhelmina, to rescue him, despite a British naval blockade, and escaped to Europe.

Kruger died in Switzerland in July 1904.

The Kruger saloon remained in Lourenco Marques after Kruger left and was subsequently

returned across the border, and ended up at Waterval Onder, where it stood for some time,

and where, according to some reports, “it was looted by British troops, who carried off

some of the pictures and valuable rugs.”

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Map of the line of advance of British troops from Pretoria to Delagoa Bay in 1900.

(The crossed swords emblems show Boer War battlefields)

Kruger’s Travelling Capital

“Mr. Kruger, when he fled from Pretoria with some £2,000,000 worth of treasure, took up

his abode in the saloon carriage here depicted. From it he dated his State documents, and in

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the train, to which an engine with steam up was always attached, he is believed to have

stored much of his ‘commandeered’ treasure. At Madadodorp, at Nelspruit, and elsewhere,

he established his travelling seat of government, until, on 11th September 1900, he crossed

the frontier to Lourenco Marques.”

Note Kruger sitting very visibly in the car’s lounge, with a Staats policeman standing guard

outside. Note the State emblem on the carriage side, and the obvious ‘join’ between the two

previous 4-wheel car bodies.

“Kruger’s capital on wheels: view of the railway sidings at Machadodorp”

(See also the photos on page 14 of Uloliwe of 5/2011)

Note how cleverly the saloon has been shunted in under cover of the surrounding

embankment, away from the prying eyes of British binoculars. In the background and

behind the saloon are various NZASM carriages and vans, some of which no doubt

accompanied the saloon. Note: no sign of an ‘engine in steam’!

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As the war progressed towards its conclusion, Kruger’s saloon apparently was used by

Lord Roberts, C-in-C of the British forces, and then, after November 1900, by his successor,

General Kitchener. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that other high ranking military

officials may have used the car until the war officially ended on 31st May 1902. The

Director’s Saloon likely saw similar use.

During this period the railways in the Transvaal and Orange Free State came under British

control and were administered initially by the Imperial Military Railways (IMR), and after

July 1902, by the Central South African Railways (CSAR). The Kruger saloon was allocated

to the First Governor of the Transvaal, Sir Arthur Lawley (1902-1905), and the Director’s car

to Lt. Col. E.G.C. (Percy) Girouard, of the Royal Engineers (originally a Canadian), who

became the brilliant and eminent head of the CSAR, although it seems highly likely they

were also used by other distinguished and prominent people.

With the formation of South African Railways, on 31st May 1910, these two saloons, as has

been shown, became SAR No.17 (for Kruger’s car) and 18 (for the Director’s car) in the SAR

“saloon series” of numbers, which confirmed their continued service as important cars. In

common with all Private Cars, which were named, No. 18 received the name Bloemfonteim.

The subsequent history of these cars is ably noted on pages 17-21 of the May 2011 issues of

Uloliwe.

The Selati Railway, in north-eastern Transvaal, has a colourful history which has been told

elsewhere.

The line in its original state was 192 miles long, and stretched north-west from Komati

Poort, in the eastern Transvaal, on the line to Delagoa Bay / Lourenco Marques, to

eventually reach Leysdorp, in a gold mining region.

The famous railway construction contractors, George Pauling & Co., (noted for building

lines in South Africa, Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo) built the last 140 miles. This was

completed in 1912. Later it became well known as it passed through the famous Kruger

National Park.

23

Guests at the opening of the Olifants River Bridge, in north-eastern Transvaal, in 1912.

These guests are travelling at the rear of the train in Saloon SAR No.18. The rest of the train

appears to be ordinary SAR balcony main line coaches. (Does anyone know the actual

date?)

As this photo appears in the Pauling book (mentioned in the references) it is likely Pauling

and his family may be in the photo, although nobody is identified.

There appears to be no notes on what these two cars were up to in the 1920s and 1930s, and

I would surmise their use was probably limited. They come back on the focus again in the

1950s when the true significance of the cars became known and acknowledged, probably as

a direct result of Dr. Loubser’s investigations. No. 18 continued to lead a fairly active life in

celebrations and on display at special events.

Car No. 17 was moved to display at the back of the Kruger House in Church Street,

Pretoria in 1952 after it had been ‘restored.’ No. 18 was restored to its two-body

configuration on its bogie under frame and placed on display at Pretoria Station with

NZAM “46-Tonner” 0-6-4T No. 242. In 1990 it was removed from the platform, restored to

running order, and took part in the Rand Tram Centenary Celebrations.

After that it was transferred to the Transnet Museum in George, where it can be seen on

display today.

SAR No. 17, the Kruger Saloon, on display, under cover, at the Kruger House in Pretoria.

This is an unusual angle, but shows features not normally shown in photos (which are

usually taken from the observation platform end): the stores compartment on the rear

platform, and note the vents in the end of the second roof covering.

Checking underneath is now almost impossible with the brick viewing platform both sides

of the car! At this stage, it appears no attempt has been made to restore the car to its

original livery.

24

References

• With the Flag to Pretoria by H.W. Wilson, 1900 (2 volumes)

• After Pretoria: The Guerrilla War by H.W. Wilson, 1902 (2 volumes)

These four volumes contain much information and photos to those with an interest in

railways in the Boer War.

• The Chronicles of a Contractor – Being the Autobiography of the Late George

Pauling, edited by David Buchan, 1926, Books of Rhodesia Reprint, 1969. An

interesting account of this man, his achievements, and his family.

• Wikipedia – Entry on Paul Kruger

25

Railway Philately – Stan Kantor

A popular and less expensive way of collecting stamps is

choosing a theme – flowers, animals, aero planes or railway

locomotives etc. Known as Thematic collections, they are found

amongst country collections at annual stamp exhibition

competitions. The 9d Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

stamp illustrated here was released on 15th

May, 1962 and was

withdrawn by 19th

February, 1963 with the dissolution of the

Federation – a nine-month period of circulation. This has

resulted in a shortage of this value for both country and thematic

collectors. In 2009 the catalogue value of this stamp was R100,00

for a mint stamp and R35,00 for a used stamp.

The following information is extracted from “Rhodesia – A Postal History by R.C. Smith –

1967”

26

For some inexplicable reason the 9d value was omitted from the second definitive set of

Federal postage stamps. This gave rise to difficulties in extending the validity of postal

orders beyond 10d with the maximum of two stamps being permitted for this purpose.

There was also a need for this value on aerogrammes addressed to Europe and other

places.

The Philatelic Advisory Committee decided that the new 9d stamps should depict the

Rhodesia Railways. Mr Kinsella provided a number of sketches from which the final

design was ultimately chosen. The design depicted two passing trains; one a steam-hauled

goods train, and the other a diesel-electric hauled passenger train on the outskirts of

Bulawayo. The size of the stamp was 30x26 mm in a horizontal format, and was produced

by the recess engraved process.

An initial order for 2,000,000 stamps was placed with Thomas de la Rue and Co. Ltd. of

London.

First day covers were not supplied by the Post Office but arrangements were made for the

public to have their own covers stamped at Post Offices. The stamp was issued on 15th

May,

1962, almost three years after the stamps of this issue were first placed on sale.

It was the intention that this stamp should publicize the railways and an information sheet

was issued by the Post Office giving a short history of the Rhodesia Railways, which were

originally operated by a group of British-owned companies under the direction of Cecil

John Rhodes. The first line was constructed from Vryburg in British Bechuanaland and

reached Bulawayo in November 1897. A railway was also constructed from the East Coast

to connect Rhodesia with Beira. This line reached Salisbury in 1899 and was finally

connected to Bulawayo in 1902. The railways continued to expand and reached Victoria

Falls in June 1903 and Broken Hill in September 1906. Today Rhodesia Railways operate

some 2,600 route miles of main and branch lines, with through passenger and goods

services to Beira, Lourenco Marques, South Africa and Katanga.

27

The Rhodesia Railways were taken over by the S Rhodesia Government in 1947, and

operated as a public utility corporation. After the dissolution of the Federation they became

jointly owned by the Zambian and Rhodesian Governments, but efforts are now being

made to have the railways Split and operated independently by each territory. The target

date for their dissolution is 30th June, 1967.

The second definitive set remained on sale until the Federation was dissolved, but the

territories continued to use the Federal stamps until they were able to replace them with

those of their own.

28

Wepener’s Perambulations

The silos at Hennenman

29

Gunhill yard shunt & Gunhill petrol shunt

30

Grasslands

31

New Rollingstock – Grasslands

32

SAR locomotive 91d No 2682: Schweizer-Reneke

This locomotive has been painted and is generally in a good condition, but the numbers

plates were not on when the photograph was taken.

Schweizer-Reneke, sometimes referred

to as “Schweizer” is a town of

approximately 33,000 people in the

North West Province of South Africa. It

is the administrative centre of Mamusa

Local Municipality.

33

SAR archival matter: 1981 SAR Form

Jacque photographed this truck card yesterday

morning at Bloemhof on a long load of ore.

What is very interesting is that the blue card is

still marked SAS – SAR.

The good old SAS – SAR disappeared in 1981

and was replaced by SAVD – SATS. In the

museum (at Riebeeckstad) we have a lot of

printing work still marked SATS – SATS.

So the mine must have had received a large

stock truck cards from the local station master.

On the other hand it could have been self-

printed and the “SAS – SAR” was never

changed. The card feels thinner than the thick

hard paper that the old SAS – S.A.R. used –

John Wepener

(Rough translation by HBH)

Jacque die trok kaart gister oggend by

Bloemhof afgeneem op lang vrag erts. Wat

baie interessant is, is dat die blou kaart nog

SAS – SAR gemerk is.

Die goeie ou SAS – SAR het in 1981 verdwyn

en is met SAVD – SATS vervang. Ons het in

die Museum nog baie drukwerk met SAVD –

SATS daarop.

Dus moes die myn ‘n groot voorraad

trokkaarte by die stasiemeester gekry het en

nog op hande het, of self laat druk en nooit

SAS – SAR verander nie.

Die kaart voel baie dunner as die dik harde

papier wat die ou SAS – SAR gebruik het –

John Wepener

34

Transmed

35

Station Name Boards

All photos by J & J Wepener carry their copyright.

36

Railway History of South Africa –HBH

CGR: Neilson “4 Coupled Joys”

NGR: 6- Wheeled Coupled Tank Engine – NGR Rebuilt

37

Cape Town Station - What has happened to Blackie?

Is there anybody out there who could give us a situation report on Blackie? When will she

be plinthed in the forecourt at Cape Town Station. Apparently she was stored somewhere

for safe keeping – HBH

OVS Staatspoorwegen (OVSS)

- OVSS Van

- President MT Steyn’s Carriage

I have sent a reminder to the Oorlogsmuseum in Bloemfontein – HBH

38

Filler: 1925 Petrus Steyn: Free State

One day I, in the Free State,

walked into a shop and found The

Riemlander there and I filed this

cutting about SAR Petrus Steyn.

[Riemland? The early settlers shot

game and made “riems” (ropes of

hide) for sale to others] – HBH.

Below is a precious little bit of early SAR history:

Allow me to make a comment please: The author of the article says that 23 gates on the

road between Arlington and Petrus Steyn had to be opened and closed! This is

something we tend to forget. Gates!? Now we think of Toll Gates! In our promtion

exams from Constable to Sergeant (1967) we had, amongst other statutes, to learn the

Fencing Act (Omheiningswet) and there was a section we had to learn of by heart: “Any

person who goes through a gate on a public road and fails to close it, or finds it open,

goes through and fails to close it could be charged and could be found guilty .... “

39

NZASM

NZASM Logo – Salvokop (or is it Time Ball Hill?)

Anglo Boer War – NZASM Pretoria

Early days: British POW’s arriving in Pretoria...

40

Stations– J Wepener

Petrusburg

Note the Station Master’s “pulpit” - HBH

Winsorton Road

41

SAR Goods sheds Virginia

42

Patron

Our patron is Les Pivnic. He is a renowned railway photographer and author. His book

on SAR Dining Cars is a classic book and by now Africana. He was assistant- curator at

the old SAR museum in Johannesburg. He is one of the experts on the SA Railways as

he has a lifelong interest in railways.

SAR and World War 2

-

SAR Traction and Rolling Stock

-

43

TransnetSA Metro Rail

Longest Metro Rail Services – J & J Wepener

Hi Hennie,

Ashley het onlangs gemeld dat die huidige Kaapstad na Worcester Voorstedelike trein die

langste in die RSA is. Hy is korrek met n’ afstand van 175km.

Volgens die laaste gepubliseerde SAS Afstand boek nommer 4 van 1971 is die volgende

amptelike afstande bekom.

• Langste voorstedelike rit Vrydae: Johannesburg na Welkom, 284km, “Spoednik”,

aangesien trein slegs by paar stasies gestop het. Trein met leë rytuie terug na

Braamfontein, loods tussen Vereeniging – Kroonstad - Welkom.

• 2de Kaapstad na Touwsrivier oor Hekspas 258km, [deur Heks tonnels x 4, 220km].

• 3de Johannesburg na Klerksdorp, 234km.

• 4de Durban na Port Shepstone 118km.

• 5de Durban na Pietermaritzburg 104km.

• 6de Springs na Randfontein 90km.

Jy kan miskien die item as ‘n vuller gebruik.

Voorstedelike groete,

John en Jacque.

English Synopsis:

• Fridays the “Sputnik” – Johannesburg - Welkom, 284 km.

• Capetown - Touws River, 258 km; via Hexton, 220 km

44

• Johannesburg – Klerksdorp, 234 km

• Durban - Port Shepstone, 118km

• Durban – Pietermaritzburg, 104 km

• Springs – Randfontein, 90km

Metrorail's service just won't do, says Zuma

14 Jun 2012 13:21 - Jonisayi Maromo

Problems at the passenger train service Metrorail are detrimental to South Africa's

economic growth and development, says President Jacob Zuma.

The president told reporters on Thursday during a tour of Gauteng’s public transport

infrastructure he had experienced first-hand what thousands of commuters endure daily.

“I have experienced [it] for myself. I have spoken to the workers on the Metrorail trains.




45




“When I used the Gautrain it was a different experience altogether – [it is] efficient, quick

and makes people certain about their business. This is the kind of development South

Africa needs, though some were criticising the [Gautrain] development”.

Zuma said public transport systems in the country had to change.

“Commuters were complaining. I have been told that the trains are not reliable, there is no

security and at times they [the trains] just stop in the middle of nowhere. Workers are

struggling to get to work, that is not good for the economy,” he told reporters.

“I am more convinced now that we need faster and [more] secure trains.”

‘The president’s monitoring visit’

His tour on Thursday, dubbed “The president’s monitoring visit 2012” was organised for

him to get a personal taste of public transport in Gauteng during rush hour.

It started off with Zuma arriving at around 7am at Pretoria’s main Bosman train station to

take a Metrorail train ride.

He went to buy his own train ticket.

Early morning commuters in Pretoria stopped and stared with surprise at the huge

contingent of police officers, Metrorail staff and numerous news crews.

On the train, commuters spoke emotionally about the “poor” train service.

“We are struggling, president. The trains are always overloaded like this – this is how we

survive,” said one commuter.

Restraint

46

In Kempton Park, dozens of schoolchildren rushed to see the president as he embarked

from a Metrorail train at the Rhodesfield station. Presidential bodyguards pushed away the

schoolchildren, restraining them from getting close to the president.

The evidently excited minors burst into a chorus of Zuma’s signature song Umshini wami,

while dancing. Zuma and his massive entourage, including ministers, disembarked from

the train and went to the upper platform to board the Gautrain to Sandton. South African

National Defence Force and South African Police Service helicopters hovered over the train

station and followed the Gautrain. From Sandton the delegation headed for Park Station.

Celebrity status

The president and his entourage arrived to wild celebrations and cheering at South Africa’s

main public transport hub. Zuma walked around the complex station, greeting and waving

at the people who jostled to catch a glimpse of the president. Shop owners looked equally

surprised, many of them standing at entrances and taking photographs of the large crew.

He then proceeded to the adjacent Wanderers Street taxi rank, where he spoke to several

taxi drivers and passengers. Many passengers complained about the rising costs of public

transport. Most passengers appealed to the president to intervene and arrest the run-away

transport costs.

At the taxi platform for mini-buses heading to Nkandla (Zuma’s hometown) some

commuters offered the president a choice seat to travel next to them. But Zuma led his

entourage to the Rea Vaya bus system, where he bought his ticket to Soweto. The delegates

arrived in Soweto after 11am. – Sapa

http://mg.co.za/article/2012-06-14-metrorails-service-just-wont-do-says-zuma

Treine bots in Kaapstad

2012-06-19 21:03

Kaapstad – ‘n Trein wat op pad was van Kaapstad na Malmesbury het Dinsdagmiddag

teen ‘n stilstaande goederetrein naby Fisantekraal, Durbanville, gebots, het Kaapstad se

rampbestuursentrum gesê.

Niemand is ernstig beseer in die ongeluk nie.

47

“Volgens paramedici het slegs een volwasse man ligte beserings opgedoen en geen sterftes

is aangemeld nie. Daar was ongeveer 500 passasiers op die trein,” het Wilfred Solomons-

Johannes, woordvoerder, in ‘n verklaring gesê.

“Die paramedici sal al die passasiers wat aan boord van die trein was assesseer vir

moontlike beserings. Die situasie is onder beheer en geen verdere hulpbronne of

rampbestuurspanne word benodig nie."

Busse sal passasiers na hul bestemmings neem.

http://afrikaans.news24.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Treine-bots-in-Kaapstad-20120619

Gautrain

A new heading in this magazine will be the Gautrain. The line is now complete from Hatfield –

Pretoria – Johannesburg and to the OT Airport. The other day I went to a braai and took the train

from Hatfield to Rhodesfield and return. It was a pure pleasure. Our driver on the morning trip

was Andre. He introduced himself over the intercom and told us that we were doing an easy 160

km/h. A pleasant and safe trip. The Metro could learn from the Gautrain’s security measures.

Stations, trains, parking areas are safe.

Leermeester: Jack van der Merwe

2012-06-09 11:37 - Foto: Rob Till & geskryf deur Cherice Smith

Hy’s die grootbaas van die Gautrein en nou besig met ’n meestervervoerplan vir Gauteng.

Maar vra jy Jack van der Merwe wat’s sy passie is dit die Blou Bulle…

48

Wat was jou beroepsdroom?

Om ’n goeie ingenieur te wees. Ek het siviele

ingenieurs-wese by Tukkies studeer en ’n

senior bestuursprogram by Harvard-

universiteit gedoen. Jy moet altyd bereid wees

om nóg te leer – ek leer elke dag iets nuuts.

Watter soort baas is jy?

Ek het ’n oopdeurbeleid en volle vertroue in

my personeel se vermoëns. Almal het ’n

bydrae om te maak, dus is almal se insette

belangrik, maar daar moet uiteindelik ’n

besluit geneem word en dan ook eienaarskap

van daardie besluit geneem word.

Die Gautrein is ’n groot sukses. Hoe laat dit

jou voel?

Dit is ’n onteenseglike bewys dat Suid-

Afrikaners die vermoë en deursettingsvermoë het om ’n wêreldklas-projek deur te voer.

Dit was nogal spesiaal om die Gautrein drie dae voor die afskop van die wêreldbeker-

sokkertoernooi in bedryf te stel.

Jy’s nou besig met ’n vervoerplan vir Gauteng. Wat behels dit?

Die 25 jaar Geïntegreerde Vervoermeesterplan vir Gauteng kyk na ’n raamwerk om in die

volgende 25 jaar ’n geïntegreerde vervoerstelsel, met die klem op openbare vervoer, in te

stel. Dit moet ekonomiese groei, werkskepping en ontwikkeling moontlik maak.

Hoe bly jy by in so ’n vinnig ontwikkelende bedryf?

Interaksie met internasionale en plaaslike kundiges. Ek is ook die Afrikapresident van die

Afrika Vereniging van Openbare Vervoer en ’n visepresident van die Internasionale

Vereniging van Openbare Vervoer. So kry ek op ’n internasionale vlak blootstelling aan

tendense en beleidsbesluite wat wêreldwyd geneem word oor openbare vervoer.

En hoekom geniet jy dit?

49

Ek glo ek maak ’n verskil in ons land.

Wat is jou belangrikste sakebeginsels?

Integriteit en die besef dat ek ’n beskermheer van die belastingbetaler se geld is.

Jou eerste groot uitdaging?

Toe ek op ’n jong ouderdom aangestel is as hoof van die Departement Paaie en Openbare

Vervoer in Gauteng en ewe skielik verantwoordelik was vir 6 000 mense én ’n groot

begroting.

En die les wat jy daaruit geleer het?

Dat die wêreld uit meer as net die koue wetenskap bestaan en dat dit baie belang-riker en

moeiliker is om mense te bestuur.

Wat is jou beste raad aan ’n jong werknemer?

Kry maksimum ervaring en blootstelling in jou eerste vyf jaar – vergeet eers van ’n groot

salaris, dit sal later kom.

Hoe behou jy ’n gebalanseerde leefstyl?

Deur te besef dat jou professionele loopbaan in ’n stadium klaarmaak, maar dat jou

gesinslewe altyd daar gaan wees. Jy moet probeer om gehaltetyd saam met jou gesin deur

te bring. Ek’s gelukkig getroud met Lizette en ons het drie kinders, Jacques (34), Melandri

(18) en Niel (16).

Ten slotte

Watter (werk)oomblik sal jou bybly?

’n Koue, nat oggend in Derby, Engeland. Ons was daar om die eerste Gautrein te ontvang.

Ek het moeg ná ’n nagvlug en nog ’n paar uur op die pad in Derby aangekom, om ’n hoek

geloop en gesien hoe hulle die eerste trein op die toetsbaan ondersoek. In daardie grou lug

het daai goue trein soos iets uit ’n droom gelyk!

http://www.rapport.co.za/MyTyd/Nuus/LEERMEESTER-JACK-VAN-DER-MERWE-

20120608

50

Photographs: Robert Maidment-Wilson

51

19C 2439

52

Above 3693 & 2753. Below: GMAM 4070

53

Photo reports

Accident nr Welgedag on the Amajuba power station line- Rudi Venter

55

Filler: 1936 Empire Exhibition – RMT No 335

South African Railways & Harbours

Magazine: 1936-02-1367

56

Natal Midlands - Jacobus Marais

Jacobus Marais has been lucky this month and a few spectacular trains have passed his way in the

Natal Midlands. Here are some of his photogrpahs:

Youth Train

57

[Comment: I think these guards vans would like nice with three yellow stripes at the back.

58

35-671 “From the Top”

59

18-542 at the head of a “Crain-Train”

No 15097 – Train Dynamics Test Coach

62

NVLJ2 94-846-510

Old Merrivale Station

63

Cement Truck (Former fruit truck)

64

Rail Engineering

Bot River - Phil Beck

65

Photographs displayed at the museum at Bot River:

Old Memories!

66

Namibia: Aus station – Annie Lancaster

Good service turns the wheels!

69

Railway People – Spoorwegmense

Mnr Hendrik Birkholtz: Rapport: Transnet moet 11% teruggee

2012-06-23 23:56 - Carien Kruger in Pretoria

Foto: Mnr Hendrik Birkholtz

Die Transnet-pensioenfonds moet aan 850

oudwerknemers van Transnet die 11%

terugbetaal wat in die 1990’s sonder hul wete

van hul eenmalige pensioenuitbetalings

afgetrek is.

Regter Phillip Boruchowitz het Vrydag in die

hooggeregshof in Johannesburg beslis die fonds

moet dié bedrag, insluitende enkelvoudige

rente van 15,5% per jaar, asook die regskoste

van die saak betaal.

Hendrik Birkholtz (74), ’n voormalige

hoofbestuurder van die destydse Spoorweë, en

356 ander oudwerknemers het in 2009 met

regstappe teen die fonds begin.

Hy het aan Rapport gesê nog oudwerknemers

het mettertyd deel geword van die saak.

Volgens Birkholtz, wat nou in Kaapstad woon, het 1 800 ander oudwerknemers in 2006 ’n

saak gewen om hul 11% terug te kry en ’n vertroulike skikking met die fonds aangegaan.

Toe hy die fonds skriftelik om dieselfde behandeling vra, is dit geweier omdat hy nie deel

was van die betrokke klasaksie nie.

“Weerlose lede se geld is gevat sonder om hulle daarvan te sê. Dit het my die josie in

gemaak.”

Luidens Boruchowitz se uitspraak is die eisers mense wat van 1997 tot 1999 uit diens gestel

is of vroeg afgetree het.

70

In 1996 het ’n aktuaris bevind die pensioenfonds is ondergefinansier en op grond van sy

aanbeveling het die fonds 11% minder betaal aan werknemers wat hul pensioen in die

daaropvolgende jare laat uitbetaal het.

Boruchowitz het die vorige hofuitspraak bekragtig. Voorts sê Boruchowitz die fonds is nog

altyd as ’n vastevoordeel-fonds bedryf.

Lede van sulke fondse is geregtig op ’n voorafbepaalde voordeel wat nie kan verander op

grond van die fonds se finansiële gesondheid nie.

Verw: http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Transnet-moet-11-teruggee-20120623

Mr Les and Mrs Carol Pivnic and Ms Ann Smith

Hello Hennie,

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Regarding photographs requested, I have sent under separate cover, a photo of 25NC 3414

- the engine that was named after Carol in 1972.

The photos with this email are:-

1. Carol and myself in front of 16E 857 Ann Smith - Bloemfontein Queen - on the day in

September 1975 when she was ceremoniously brought to her "final" resting place in front of

Bloemfontein Station. It was a memorable day with Ann Smith herself present at the

function which was chaired by System Manager DK Morkel. A brilliant local cadet band

provided a military atmosphere to the day's proceedings.

Some 15 years later, 857 was back on the metals - having been removed from her plinth and

restored to working order for use on special steam tour trains.

72

2. This photograph was taken by my late daughter Alice at De Aar Loco also in September

1972. It shows from the left - Loco Foreman Alec Watson, myself, younger daughter Gillian

and Carol.

I was born in Johannesburg in 1935 - I'm the same age as the class 16Es - 77 years old.

I feel privileged to have lived through an era of great railway activity - an era when

railways and the SAR in particular, was well managed by highly-skilled people in the

various fields of employment. From shunters to the General Manager, the staff were proud

to be known as railwaymen! The SAR was blessed with a fine succession of skilled

mechanical engineers who produced some of the world's finest steam locomotives. The

SAR Catering Department became world-renowned through "Round-in-14-Tours" and had

chefs that cooked for Royalty as and when required.

Sadly, I was to witness the massive decline of the SAR Administration - brought on by the

inevitable change in the political climate in South Africa.

Today, I find myself 6000 miles away from the land of my birth - not by choice but because

of wanting to be close to my immediate family who had earlier through intolerable crime,

emigrated to Australia.

73

Over the centuries, empires have risen to great heights only to fall again with the passage

of time!

For me, the SAR was my empire and to witness its massive decline was a very bitter pill to

swallow. This bitter pill was exacerbated by the fact that even the SAR's illustrious history

in the form of a humble luggage label to a full size steam locomotive has been largely if not

entirely dumped in official railway circles!

If it were not for some valiant work done by private enterprise and enthusiast groups, there

would be nothing left! I'm pleased that I am no longer in South Africa to see all the

degradation of a once-proud railway system.

Regards

Les

Mrs Carol Pivnic: “Carol” - 25NC No 3414

Dear Hennie,

74

Here is class 25NC no. 3414 named Carol on the 8th of January 1972. 3414 was booked to

work the Orange Express to Kimberley on that day. Driver Harmse had 3414 as his regular

engine. 3414 also worked the last trip of the old Blue Train on 31 August 1972 from De Aar

to Kimberley.

Regards

Les

Water Police -

Previous issues of Uloliwe

Here is the link to the previous issue: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/3_no_6_uloliwe

It had 273 “readers.”

For previous all previous issues of Uloliwe click on: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs

Filler

75

Rail Humour

Book Shelf

SAR’s Road Motor Transport Service [RMT]

South African Railways & Harbours Magazine 1938-07-868

RMT : Passenger Motor Omnibus

South African Railways & Harbours Magazine 1923-02-159

76

South African Airways

-

SAA History

-

Harbours

-

Catering Division

-

Railway Police: Maj Beyer and Brig JB Bester, DSO

Left 1937 and right 1946: Brig JB Bester, DSO.

77

Rhodesia Railways, National Railways of Zimbabwe – J Batwell

78

Class 15 No 372 lifts its load out of Thomson headed Up Line for Victoria Falls, July1992.

Photo: J M Batwell.

Blue-liveried class 15 No 419 is pictured making easy work of the Bulawayo-Lobatsi slow

passenger on the line to Plumtree, 1990. Photo: J M Batwell.

79

From the Baobab Hotel at Hwange,“Up Line” goods is pictured heading for Thomson Junction

behind a class 15 Garratt, July 1992.

Heading Down Line towards Dete from Thomson through wild baobab country, class

15 No 389 with a heavy coal train, July 1992. Photo: J M Batwell

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Almost forty

years ago, two

class 15 Garratts

on caboose

working effect a

crossing at

Ramatlhabama

on the Bula-

wayo-Mafeking

run, April 1973.

Photo GE

Cooke.

81

Rovos Rail - Rapport (Afrikaans Sunday paper)

Bekoor deur die wêreld se luuksste trein - Eppy Strydom

2012-06-23

Wat begin het as ’n idee om vir sy gesin ’n

hotel op ysterwiele te bou wat oral sou kon ry

waar daar treinspore in Suid-Afrika lê, is

vandag nie net die luuksste passasierstreine in

Afrika nie, maar ook die wêreld.

Rohan Vos, die skepper van Rovos Rail (RVR),

het 26 jaar gelede ’n vriend gehelp om

stoomtreine op veilings te koop toe sy

verbeelding ’n ander koers inslaan. Wat as hy

sy eie trein bou, met so drie vintage waens, en

toestemming van die ou Suid-Afrikaanse

Spoorweë (SAS) kry om hul spoorlyne te

gebruik? Die toestemming is gegee, maar die

buitensporige koste vir die gebruik van die

spore het dié idee gekelder. Die SAS het

voorgestel hy verkoop kaartjies op sy trein en

Rohan het toe in alle erns begin om waens wat van die vroeë 20ste eeu dateer aan te koop

en te restoureer.

Die eerste trein, met sy 13 gerestoureerde waens, het in 1989 een keer per maand tussen

Pretoria en die Krugerwildtuin gependel. Vandag spog RVR met 95 waens en 16

lokomotiewe, waarvan sewe stoomtreine is, en reisigers kom van al die vastelande om ’n

rit op die Pride of Africa mee te maak.

Toe ek skuins ná nege op ’n Vrydagoggend by RVR se private stasie by Capital Park in

Pretoria aankom, sit die meeste van die 42 gaste wat die treintog van drie dae na Durban

gaan meemaak reeds in die sitkamer en teug aan tee of vonkelwyn. Kelners in sjiek

uniforms bedien keurige southappies en Engelse toebroodjies sonder korsies. Die lug is

gevul met afwagting en geselsies op ’n klankbaan van sagte klassieke musiek.

Buiten die swierige tog na Durban, wag ’n wildrit in die Nambiti- private wildreservaat, ’n

besoek aan die slagvelde in Estcourt se wêreld en ’n besoek aan Ardmore Caversham, ’n

keramiek-ateljee in die Kwa-Zulu-Natalse Middellande.

82

Buite langs die perron blaas ’n pragtige ou lokomotief stoomwolke die lug in en knars ’n

rukkie later vorentoe om plek te maak vir die meer moderne elektriese trein wat die 17

treinwaens op ons safari na Durban gaan trek. Omdat stoomenjins “so laas eeu” is, is daar

maar min plekke in die land oor wat geriewe het vir water en steenkool om dié ysters aan

die rol te hou.

Rovos Rail se slagspreuk is “Die weelderigste trein ter wêreld” en dít verwys na die trein se

ruim suites. Die meeste van die waens huisves elk drie weelderige suites en sommige twee,

wat volgens Rohan uitspattig is vergeleke met ander luukse treine soos die Oriental

Express. Daarby stel die Franse cuisine, die premium-wynlys en die professionele diens

van die personeel ’n internasionale standaard.

Die Bloutrein en die Oriental gebruik wel meer gevorderde tegniese toerusting, maar dit is

iets waarmee RVR nie wíl meeding nie. Die sjarme van die Pride of Africa met sy

houtwaens en Edwardiaanse detail is juis die gevoel dat ’n mens jou meteens in ’n ander

tyd bevind.

Daar is drie verblyfopsies: Die rojale koninklike suites van om en by 16m2; die luukse suites

van sowat 11m2; en die Pullman-suites van sowat 7m2. Benewens die groter ruimte, is die

badkamer die enigste verskil tussen die koninklike en luukse suites. Die koninklike suite

spog met ’n groter badkamer wat ’n stort én ’n Victoriaanse bad insluit. In die res van die

suites lyk die badkamers eenders, met ’n toilet, wasbak en stort.

In die Pullman-suites kan ’n mens kies of jy ’n dubbelbed of enkel-stapelbedjies wil hê.

Wanneer jy ná ontbyt weer in jou suite kom, is die beddens omskep in ’n sofa.

Net ná tien bestyg ons Pride of Africa waar ons bagasie reeds in ons suites wag. Ek gaan

tuis in die luukse suite Etosha. Innocentia, die personeellid wat vir ons wa verantwoordelik

is, wys my al die geriewe in die suite.

Benewens lugversorging, ’n haardroër en ’n hele reeks ligverstellings, is daar ’n mini-

kroeg, ’n skatkis van verskillende soorte tee, asook koffie en warmsjokolade, pakkies neute

en nougat en aandenkings soos die RVR-reisboek Journeys en ’n badkamertassie met alles

van seep en sneesdoekies tot Rennies en hoofpynpille.

Jy kan die staalstrukture voor die vensters laat sak en die vensters afskuif om die buitelug

in te laat. Ek verkies die oop vensters bo die lugverkoeling, maar ek kan my indink dat ’n

koel kompartement uiters gerieflik moet wees wanneer ’n mens die tog van 14 dae na Dar

es Salaam in Tanzanië aandurf.

83

Die trein kom met ’n effense ruk uit die blokke en ons begin stadig om Pretoria seil. Dis

nog een van die plesiere van die Pride of Africa: Dit ry nooit vinniger as 60 km/h nie.

Danksy die groot vensters in al die waens, sommige nog versier met die ou

Springbokkoppie van die SAS, is dit die stylvolste manier om Afrika se dramatiese

landskappe te bewonder.

Dit is nie lank voordat die koperklok wat in die gange ghong middagete inlui nie. In die

eetsaal glinster die son op die kristalglase en die silwerware. Alles dra die RVR-kenteken.

Aubrey, die kelner wat my bedien, skink ’n uitsoek- Suid-Afrikaanse wyn saam met elk

van die vier gange wat vir middagete voorgesit word. Die kos is delikaat en uitsonderlik en

ek geniet dit tydsaam: Vinkel gesmoor in saffraan, sitrussap, knoffel, lourierblare, olyfolie

en asyn met gerookte salm bo-op; ’n quiche van bloukaas, ui en peer op spinasie en

peerskywe; en umcimbi-kaas wat saam met spanspekkonfyt en pikante stukkies appel

bedien word.

Die gesprekke tussen paartjies is gedemp. Hier is nie net Suid-Afrikaners nie, maar ook

Britte, Amerikaners, Duitsers, Kanadese en Chinese.

Die agtergrond het intussen verander van die stadsgedruis na die geelbruin lande van die

Hoëveld in die Suikerbosrand se wêreld.

Vanaand gaan ons Majuba oorsteek waar die Boere die Britte op 27 Februarie 1881 in die

beslissende veldslag van die Eerste Vryheidsoorlog verslaan het. Op 2 146m is dit die

hoogste punt van ons reis.

Daar is twee sitkamers ingerig waar ’n mens op leersofas kan sit en gesels of die

fassinerende koffietafelboeke oor koloniale safari’s in Afrika kan deurblaai. Die personeel

staan deurentyd nader om versnaperinge of drankies aan te bied. Alles is by die

kaartjieprys ingesluit, wat die hoofpynpille in die badtassie verklaar. Die heel agterste wa

met sy gemaklike houtbanke en oop agterkant bied die beste uitsig op die omgewing.

Wat kleredrag betref, kan ’n mens deur die dag met ’n T-hemp en jeans wegkom, maar

aandete is ’n formele okkasie. Mans moet ’n baadjie en das dra en vroue aandrokke of -

pakke. Deur die walms van parfuum, haarsproei en lyfroom sit ek aan by my tafel waar

kerslig met die vroue se juwele speel. Ek sterf ’n paar klein dode tydens die viergangmaal,

wat ’n geurige rooi-ui-en-crème fraîche-tertjie en vars lynvis insluit. Die nasmaak in my

mond is só heerlik dat ek nie kans sien om dit met dié van Keniaanse koffie te vervang nie.

84

Terug in my suite lyk my bed nou heelwat anders as deur die dag. Die deken is afgehaal en

’n spierwit duvet nooi my om te kom slaap. Die trein wieg my koesterend na droomland.

Ek slaap voordat die trein by Elandslaagte intrek om die nag daar te vertoef.

Die drie uiteenlopende uitstappies van die Durban-safari is ’n besoek werd al reis jy nie

met RVR nie. Ek vind die geskiedenispraatjie deur die raconteur Raymond Heron, die

eienaar van Spionkop Lodge (op die ou Nederlandse spelling) die opwindendste.

Raymond gaan haal die verhaal voor die groot trek van die Nguni-stamme na die suide

van Afrika en laat die gebeure dramaties en in detail ontvou. Die Bonnie Ntshalintshali-

museum by Fée Halsted se Ardmore-kunsateljee tussen Tweedie en Mooirivier is eweneens

’n belewenis.

Wanneer die trein langsaam deur die Vallei van ’n Duisend Heuwels kronkel, is dit tyd om

te begin afskeid neem van nuwe vriende. Ná Cato Ridge se huisies teen die heuwels bereik

ons Durban se gedruis en klim uit in ’n nuwe millennium.

Goed om te weet

• Al die uitstappies, etes en drankies in die trein is ingesluit.

• Onthou sonbrandroom, ’n hoed en iets warms vir die uitstappies.

* RVR laat kinders toe in die trein, maar vra dat ouers die volwasse atmosfeer in die

trein eerbiedig. Daar is geen kinderoppassers of aktiwiteite vir kinders op die Pride

of Africa nie.

• Die nou gange van die trein is nie geskik vir mense in rolstoele nie.

RVR bied verskeie reise aan wat wissel van ’n paar ure tot 14 dae. Die epiese Kaap-

tot-Kaïro-tog, wat vlugte in ’n klein gehuurde vliegtuigie insluit, duur 28 dae.

Besoek die webwerf www.rovos.com vir die hele reeks roete-opsies.

• Kort ritte soos ’n sirkelroete om Pretoria duur sowat drie uur en is ideaal vir ’n

manjifieke middagete.

Verw: http://www.rapport.co.za/Reis/Nuus/Bekoor-deur-die-wereld-se-luuksste-trein-

20120623

85

Memories: Bosveld Train Safaris – HBH

On the way to Namibia

Class 33-491 during 2002 at Upington – Hennie Heymans.

Kranzberg and Holoog. We had a few sumptuous breakfasts at Holoog in the desert.

86

Reefsteamers: Situation Reports – Lee Gates

Dear Reefsteamers and Friends of Steam,

We will be having another Class 15F No.2914 Locomotive work-sesh at the Reefsteamers

depot this Saturday, 23 June. The game plan is to continue with de-rusting and sanding of

the recently exposed boiler shell, and to start applying the red oxide primer. The primer

will provide valuable long term protection of the boiler once the new thermal lagging and

the cladding plates are fitted, and the boiler surfaces are hidden and inaccessible for the

next 20 years!

At the front end of the locomotive, on the right side of the smokebox, we have discovered

that there is a crooked patch that need to be repaired. It seems as if 15F No 2914 may have

had a ‘bit of a bump’ in the past. The patch was so badly made that it was sealed with

window putty and is now causing air leaks. Maybe the crew that bumped the locomotive

‘sneaked in’ a quick repair job in a quiet corner of a yard somewhere? Air leaks into a

locomotive's smoke box destroy the vacuum therein and are very detrimental to the

performance of the locomotive, as she then cannot maintain a hot enough fire to raise

sufficient steam for the work she is doing. So the smokebox front cover plate (and door)

will need to be removed as well, which will entail some winching work.

Poor old No.2914 wasn’t a favoured locomotive in the ‘golden years’ of SAR steam

preservation. It was partially because of her degraded paint job, partially for the need of

hand firing, but mainly because of the performance issues. And we are finding that it is

mainly just poor quality repair work. Apart from the firebox issues, No.2914 is basically

sound. And the thinned firebox corner and the cracked foundation ring issues are

‘symptomless faults’ that don’t actually affect the performance of the boiler until they

finally fail. Reefsteamers has already experienced that simple, stupid faults that effect the

locomotive’s draft (Like that patch), or impede the exhaust path, can have quite a profound

effect on the performance.

What all that guff means is that ol’ No.2914 should turn out to be a good locomotive! She

needs good quality repair work on the bodge jobs of the past, as well as those safety-critical

repairs on the firebox, and numerous small repair and optimization jobs. When she’s done,

and the new, painted cladding and cab is fitted, she’s going to be a stunner of a runner!

All are welcome to come along on Saturday. A lot of the work will involve sanding,

descaling and hopefully, painting. Although there is a lot of area to cover, it won't be

excessively hard work and doesn't require technical fitting skills. And you don’t need to be

87

there for the whole day. A couple of hours is fine. Come and join in and help us to get

another Reefsteamers locomotive back onto the rails! It is high time that we Reefsteamers

get another 14-wheeled stew-pot bunted out of the 15M workshops and back onto the high-

line!

There is a new depot report that has just been completed. It needs to be proofed and will

be coming out tonight or tomorrow morning, depending on my day’s work load. If you

want to forward me email addresses of people who would be interested in reading the

report, please do so. We are doing quite well on the 2914 donations drive. The Depot

Report will have the latest figures and updates.

This 2914 project is to feature as a picture-article in this month’s SA Rail, as well as the

monthly Uloliwe on-line magazine.

A special thank you for all those who have donated thus far and to those are participating

in this project.

88

Reefsteamers - Steam Locomotive Depot Open Day Confirmed - Saturday,

28th July 2012


We have finally had confirmation for our plans for the Reefsteamers Steam

Locomotive Depot Open Day and can thus release an official brochure for the event.

Because of the unavoidable delays in getting the arrangements made, the Open Day

has been moved back from Sat. 14th July to Sat. 28th July for the sake of the logistics.

We do hope the changed date won’t prevent interested parties in coming along to

spend the day with us. The event will be from roughly 9am to 3pm at the depot. One

big difference for this year’s mid-winter event is that we have secured the usage of

Gautrain’s Rhodesfield parking for our visitors.

We will be running four steam trains through to the Rhodesfield PRASA station and

will be taking people to our Germiston-based Depot (and return) by a real main-line

steam train.

This means that our visitors can park their own car at Gautrain Rhodesfield and

walk directly to the PRASA Rhodesfield station, where they can pay for their ticket

and catch the steam train to our depot. Or our visitors can catch the Gautrain to

Rhodesfield from a more conveniently local Gautrain station, and then transfer to the

PRASA station at Rhodesfield.

Our steam train departs from Rhodesfield at 08H50 & 10H50; and returns at 13H05

& 15H00. You will be able to purchase your Depot Day tickets from our stand at the

PRASA Rhodesfield station.

Please refer to www.gautrain.co.za for the Gautrain schedules and fares. All

89

Gautrain-related costs are to your own account. Please be aware that there will be

no visitor’s parking available at the Germiston Depot this year and the gates will not

be open, except for passage of the trains. Reefsteamers Members who are not

rostered for duty on the Open Day are also requested not to park at the Reefsteamers

Depot, should they come for a visit.

For the steam enthusiasts, we expect to have the Class 25NC 3472, GMA/M 4079 and

the 15F 3046 in steam. This event is to be advertised on radio on SAFM Travel with

Karen Key, which will be aired on 25th July at 9pm. Remember to tune in folks and

hear all about our Open Day.

We will send out a reminder prior to the event.

Please assist us in making this event a success by informing friends, family and

colleagues.

Please address all queries ONLY to [email protected]

Lee Gates

Preserving South Africa’s Steam Heritage for all to enjoy.

Website = http://www.reefsteamers.com

Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/reefsteamers/

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Reefsteamers Class 15F No.2914 Restoration Project :

The Class 15F locomotive No.2914 is taken care of by Reefsteamers and is unique in

being the last intact coal-fired ‘hand bomber’ Class 15F locomotive in South Africa.

Our 14-wheeled-Fraulein was ‘born’ in Germany in 1938, the 5th of 14 15Fs built by

Henschel and Sohn. At an eventual 255 in number, the Class15F were once the most

numerous locomotive class on the South African Railways. They were a very

successful and versatile heavy mixed-traffic design, which soon became legendary

around the world.No.2914 was never built or retro fitted with a mechanical stoker.

Class 15F No.2914 was never allowed to go derelict towards the end of steam.

Unfortunately for this machine, crews at the time found her mechanically-stoked

sisters to be easier to use on the longer distance trips then operated for steam

enthusiasts and tourists. No.2914 fell into some decline – although kept functional and

receiving the essential maintenance required, she became somewhat shabby looking

and received numerous bodged repair jobs.

Those poorly executed repair jobs affected the locomotive’s steaming ability, making

her even less popular – she even ran with the name ‘The Ugly Duckling’ for a while.

Reefsteamers last ran this locomotive in October 2007, to make use of the remaining

time then available on the 3-year boiler certificate. She distinguished herself by

blasting chunks of concrete from the chimney stack on the way home and the fire just

would not burn thereafter. Although she made it home, she wasquietly laid aside into

safe storage, as there were more important projects to be done at the time. An

examination by our Engineering Manager determined that the rear firebox corners had

thinned, which is a known weak point on the old 15F’s.

Thus, the tired old locomotive has been stored and out of use for over 4 years.

92

In the meantime, Reefsteamers gained an enthusiastic young fireman called George

Hoddinott (aka ‘Hoddi’ or ‘Hott-Nutts’) – who has distinguished himself by preferring

to hand-fire rather than use a mechanical stoker. He has, in fact, hand-fired the

mechanically stoked 15F 3046 from Ficksburg through to Bethlehem, with a

constrained firing portal that is known to be awkward even with the locomotive

quiescent at standstill. Not only did he keep the locomotive in steam, but we made it

through to our destination at a cracking good pace and yet with a notable saving of

coal. Anything we can do to save money is of interest to Reefsteamers and we had

already started focussing on the smaller engines as a long term business plan, rather

than the glamorous but hungry 15Fs and 25NCs.

Under the guidance of the Reefsteamers Engineering Manager, Andrew King, George

took it upon himself to see No.2914 properly repaired and put back into steam as a

representative of a large hand-fired SAR locomotive. With careful examination, only

one firebox corner proved to be too wasted for safe service. With a donation of the

properly graded steel and the anticipated coal savings, the job became a lot more

financially viable.

Work started on the locomotive in January 2012. The project has since gained

momentum and a team of young men, none of them originally from the railways, have

been steadily stripping and working on the locomotive. George has a technical

background but is working with the Engineering Manager anyway, and all the

documentation, drawings and procedures required by the Boiler Inspector are being

adhered to.

Because of the awkward position of the new patch that would be required, the

locomotive’s cab needed to be removed. And the boiler cladding needed to be

removed from the boiler to check for suspected weeping points and other possible

failures. Thus, the locomotive is getting a jolly good above-walkways strip-down and

the opportunity is being taken to de-rust and seal the boiler barrel, replace all the aged

thermal lagging and put on brand new cladding with top quality duco paint. She is

basically getting the restoration to which she should have been treated decades ago!

When the damaged area was cut away within the firebox, cracks were found in the

foundation ring, which have slowed the project down a bit. But the rest of the boiler

93

has been visually inspected and appears to be sound. The smokebox had some

surprises for us, including a patched cover plate sealed with window putty. The

various failed seals at the draft-end account for the locomotive’s poor performance.

Certified welders are being sought and quotes made for the welding repairs on the

firebox. Meanwhile the entire boiler shell has been exposed and is being prepared for

a good quality undercoat. We are about to open up the smokebox to investigate the

various leaks and failed seals. Mechanically, the locomotive is in fair condition,

although we will likely replace the valve motion bearings with Vesconite, a practice

that we have found to be very successful on our other locomotives.

When this 15F is put back together and is in steam again, she is going to be a stunner

and can finally leave the hateful ‘Ugly Ducking’ name behind. Just wait until we get

her going, double-headed with our equally good looking Class 15F No.3046 – doubled

headed F’s will again grace South Africa’s rails!

Due to financial constraints, this project is being funded entirely by donations. A fact

probably not realized by many steam enthusiasts is that the hire of the certified

welders and the use of the Boiler Inspector’s services often cost more than the materials

consumed. If you would like to donate some funds and be a part of this exciting

project, you may can deposit funds into our bank account at :

Account Name = Reefsteamers Association

Bank Name = First National Bank

Branch Location = East Rand Mall

Branch No. = 253 442

Account No. = 621 280 068 23

SWIFT = FIRNZAJJ

Reference = 15F-2914 - <Initial and

Surname>

All donations will be credited. The funds given are ring-fenced for the use of 15F

No.2914 only. Although we will confirm with the bank statements, if you choose to

make a donation, please notify Lee Gates at [email protected]

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Reefsteamers has a Facebook Page dedicated to this locomotive’s restoration at

www.facebook.com/groups/387773301244867/ and our main website is

www.reefsteamers.com

This project is also covered in Reefsteamers’ depot reports and articles which are

distributed for free via bulk email. If you wish to be included on the Reefsteamers’

Guest Emailing list, please contact Lee Gates at [email protected].

Reefsteamers Association NPC is a volunteer-operated non-profit company

incorporated under New Companies Act 71 of 2008. Reefsteamers Association is self-

funding and receives no subsidy from government or the railways. All profits are put

back into steam railway heritage preservation. Company Registration =

1995/002590/08.

1. Class 15F No.2914 in steam, then named Elize. (Picture – Aidan McCarthy.)

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2. At the start of the job, after stripping the fire arch and the grates for inspection, the

cab had to be removed to provide access to the firebox’s corner. Here, seen through

the driver’s window of the disembodied cab, the strip-down gang is planning their

first angle of attack. (Which would be the firebox throat plate covers – Aidan

McCarthy had already exposed the firebox’s flanks during the previous weeks.)

3. This is a view of the RHS rear firebox corner with the thinned section already cut

away. Visible against the white paint are two of three revealed cracks in the

foundation ring. A new plate of certified steel has been procured and has just been

forged to fit the corner. It now needs to be recertified to confirm that the heating

required for the forging has not degraded the metallurgical properties of the patch.

Meanwhile, we are seeking quotes for certified welders to grind and weld those

cracks closed and later, to install the patch for us. The staying and riveting work

will be done by us.

2 3

4. A busy workshop scene – 23 June. It was the thinned firebox corner that precluded

getting a new boiler inspection back in 2007. (We assumed that both corners were

‘wasted’, but only one was too worn for further service.) But on her last run, the

locomotive was firing chunks of concrete out the chimney and barely drawing a

draft. The saddle seal had been made with ordinary concrete, and the front plate

was leaking badly. Notice that the locomotive’s cab has been removed – and a part

of the cab floor framing and the ashpan had to be cut away to access that firebox

corner.

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5. The locomotive was known to be full of half-baked repair jobs. We found that

several of the boiler cladding sheets had been incorrectly tack-welded together at

the bottom edges, as well as being incorrectly bolted, riveted and welded in other

areas. It had all been forced together. Here, ‘Hott-Nutts’ is pictured cutting extra

spot welds in the confined (and gritty) space under the second course of the boiler.

4 5

6. George’s other end in a MOST uncomfortable position. In theory, the cladding

plates should be ‘floating’ after a few fasteners are removed from the crinoline rings

and the cover bands. In practice, on a half century old locomotive, those fasteners

are likely to been rusted solid, riveted, missing or welded – and we found all

fourissues on this rusty old grommet. What puzzled us was how awkward those

welds were to get at in the first place. It looks as though those plates had been

removed before and were too distorted to be retained in shape with the fasteners

and the boiler bands.

7. The stubborn sheet-steel boiler cladding is being winched off via one of the

conveniently placed brackets of the smoke deflector. The metal work is a bit scruffy

but not too rusty. But it needed to come away to reveal the boiler for an good

visual inspection during the coming boiler testing phase. The boiler was known to

be prone to external leaks. We suspect that we have found already some in the

flank stays of the firebox, because of the previously hidden lime scale traces that

were there.

97

6 7

8. With his head ‘framed’ by the smoke deflector’srear hangar, Robert Cousins is

doing the first pass of pneumatic-powered wire brushing of that exposed boiler

shell. It is a LOT of area to cover and at all sorts of awkward angles too. The face

mask is more for the remains of the fibrous thermal lagging than for the rust. When

the boiler is cleaned, it is to be externally visually inspected and then coated with a

good quality primer coat. The thermal lagging is to be replaced and new cladding

sheets are to be made up – and sprayed with proper duco paint. We don’t want to

have to look at that boiler shell against for the next 20 years!

9. This is some of the boiler fitting detail that is revealed when the obstructive

cladding and the thermal lagging is removed. This is the left side clack-valve

mounting pad. Notice that the washout plugs have been cleaned, revealing their

natural bronze colour. (Usually just an grubby oxidised black) These mounting

pads always need checking as they can crack. The threaded studs are worn here

and need to be replaced.

98

8 9

10. Here is a close up of some of the recently cleaned rivets at a lapped joint at a boiler

course. You can still see the indented circumferential marks from the riveter guns

from so long ago. It would seem that the thick platework used in a loco boiler

could never rust out – but deep localized pitting on a neglected locomotive can

render a boiler unusable. That’s one reason why we have to thoroughly sandblast

and externally check the Class 12R No.1947’s (Rosie) boiler – just for the rust that

developed on an unprotected boiler shell under neglected cladding and water-

absorbent thermal lagging.

11. Here is the class 15F all stripped down with a ‘poodle cut’, with the exposed boiler

glowing in the late afternoon sun. That smokebox front plate and door needs to

come off to resolve a leak situation. But we found yet another bodge job in the

recce for the process – the headlamp is WELDED into position. The final product is

to be spray-painted in duco-based gloss black, with no white trimming or lining.

She will run with a black etching-primer smokebox above a red buffer beam, and

with bare steel wheel rims around black wheel centres. She will also permanently

display a commemorative plaque to credit those who donated towards the

restoration.

The front buffer beam looks oddly pale because the endless layers of red paint are

being chipped off.

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10 11

12. All that rust has to go somewhere and a lot of it just sifted down onto the running

boards. A whole lot of rust came off that boiler and it wasn’t considered to be ‘all

that rusty’as steam loco boilers go.

13. 15F No.2914 has a sullied reputation for being a poor steamer under load, although

she usually fires up and steams-up OK at standstill. During the stripping work, we

found that the smokebox front plate doesn’t lie flat and the gap was sealed with

what looks like window putty! No conventional steam locomotive will run well

with a reduced vacuum in the smokebox, irrespective of the boiler’s internal

condition or the skill of the coal-cat at the other end. Incidentally, this shows one

reason why Reefsteamers is eliminating the traditional heat-resistant graphite paint

from our fleet. When thickly applied, it can cover a multitude of sins!

12 13

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14. Simon Bennett is pictured using a ratchet winch to drag that piece of cladding out –

even though the extra belly welds had already been cut away. Note that this sheet

is properly marked ‘L1’ for ‘First Course – Left’ You can see how the rear side of

the sheeting has started to rust. The strange looking protruding cylinders are

‘inside-out’ sleeves for the washout plug pockets.

15. Adjoining locomotives form great anchor points for winching and the Class 15CA

No.2056 ‘Dorothy’ serves in that role here.

14 15

16. Standing safely out of the way of straining webbing and watching the fun!

17. McCarthy’s law of locomotive repair came firmly into play and the loose bits were

filling up both aisles and washing up against the wheels. (McCarthy’s law says that

removed pieces of locomotive, and the tools used to remove them, will

automatically spread out evenly to fill all the available working area until a solid

obstacle is reached.)

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16 17

18. The plates on the right side of the locomotive came off a lot easier as the welds had

been removed. But the front two plates still needed to be winched to get over the

obstruction presented by the reverser.

Let’s give them some support, Chaps! - HBH

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Umgeni Steam Railway: GMAM 4074

Paton’s Country Railway

Patons Country Railway Annual Aloe Train Trips

Filler: Specie Van No 4094 Gold Reef City – Johannes Botha

Umgeni Steam Railway - Ashley Peter

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CLASS 3BR 1486 “MAUREEN” - BOILER & RUNNING REPAIR APPEAL1

1912 2012

100 years

RAILWAY SLEEPER NO.:……………(USR allocates this number)

HELP UMGENI STEAM RAILWAY (USR), RETURN TO WORKING ORDER OUR CLASS

CLASS 3 BR “MAUREEN”.

SPONSOR A SLEEPER @ R100.00 PER SLEEPER

TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF BOILER TUBES AND BOILER STAYS FOR 3BR 1486

AND OTHER PROJECTS AT USR.

CLASS 3BR No. 1486 was built in 1912 by NORTH BRITISH LOCOMOTIVE WORKS and

weighs in at 124 TONS in working order,including her coal tender and, when new, worked

on the upper end of the Natal Main Line in her earlier years with the THE SOUTH

AFRICAN RAILWAYS. Later the class was sent to the EASTERN CAPE and finally to

SALT RIVER, CAPE TOWN where she worked as a shunting engine until withdrawn in

1974. She was finally sold into the MINING INDUSTRY. UMGENI STEAM RAILWAY was

fortunate to have been donated the Locomotive by the UMGALA COLLIERY AT

UTRECHT, KZN NATAL in 1995.The Locomotive is now in the USR TRUST and is

preserved for future generations to enjoy the THE AGE OF STEAM.

AND WIN!

SPONSORS OF TRACK SLEEPERS WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE GRAND PRIZE

DRAW WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF FEBRUARY 2013*

1 Ashely unfortunately I could not copy the “Heading of your Letter” - HBH

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GRAND PRIZE: Trip for two adults departing on MSC Sinfonia from Durban on 12 April

2013 to Cape Town. Accomodation in Cape Town, then boarding ROVOS RAIL’S

“Most Luxurious Train in the World” for 3 days travel to Pretoria.

Your air flight home is included in the Grand Prize where applicable.

CHEQUES, CASH DEPOSITS or EFT to UMGENI STEAM RAILWAY

REFERENCE: 3BR 1486 BOILER FUND

NEDBANK BRANCH CODE: 130126

ACC. NO.: 1301259314 SWIFT ADVICE CODE: SZAJJ

FAX DEPOSIT SLIP / EFT PAYMENT AND ENTRY FORM (Page 2) TO 0866201988

Or E-MAIL TO: [email protected]

Sponsors’ Certificates (Competition Tickets) will be posted to Entrants where applicable.

Winner/s will be announced by e-mail, Facebook, in local press.

*As this project will be on going to raise funds for Umgeni Steam Railway’s other

numerous restoration & maintenance projects, should sponsors not be a winner in the first

draw, sponsors will remain in the draw for future chances to win one of many other prizes

we have in line for sponsors of our Projects at Umgeni Steam Railway. There IS no limit to

the number of sleepers you may wish to sponsor.

RAILWAY SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA NATAL – A Peter

RAILWAY SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

NATAL

Founded 1960

P. O. BOX/POSBUS 33202,

MONTCLAIR, 4061

SPOORWEGVERENIGING VAN SUIDELIKE AFRIKA

NATAL

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Programme Announcements : July 2012

Monthly Meeting:-

Date & Time: Wednesday, 18 July 2012. 7.00 p.m. for 7.30.

Venue: Musketeer German Club, 7 Barham Road, WESTVILLE

Feature: Member Peter Field will be entertaining us with a selection of his slides

covering, amongst others steam in what used to be the Orange Free State, including

Bethlehem – Bloemfontein; KZN and specifically Mason’s Mill up to the days of USR

occupation. There will also be coverage of the Apple Express and George – Knysna

operations, both of which alas, are no more. The presentation will then move into

international territory, with pics of various US, Canadian, British and German

locomotives, including the mammoth “Big Boy” mallet in the USA. Finally, he will

show some photos of his first SAR model layout.

Next Month’s Programme:-

Wednesday, 15 August 2012:- As many members have indicated that their interest in

railways also extends to harbours – and the contents thereof (!), we will be departing

from our usual railway theme for once and will be showing some extremely historic

SABC footage from the 1960’s and ‘70’s of the Union Castle mailship service between

Britain and South Africa, with a specific focus on the Windsor Castle.

(website address: www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za)

Although train operations remain suspended – probably until the latter half of the year –

work on Class 19D no. 2685 continues. Depending upon how well the repair work

progresses, trains could be back in operation by the end of August, but keep a look-out

for further updates. Breakfast and morning teas are served at Inchanga station from

09:00 on Sundays, followed by lunch between 12:00 and 14:00, with funds in aid of USR’s

Class 3BR “Maureen” restoration. For reservations please contact Bev on 083-226 1024

or on-line booking www.bevelart.net.

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Work-parties take place at Inchanga most weekends – usually on Saturdays. Coaching –

Clem Robins (031-783 4865) projects currently underway include the refurbishment of

suburban coach no. 7390; Locos – Simon Anderson (082-820 9337) Class 19D 2685 is

undergoing major boiler and axle-box repairs. For all enquiries about the running of U.S.R.

trains, please call Rob Macgregor on 031-303 3003; 082-353 6003 or 087-808 7715.

For details of USR’s recently launched fundraising competition that features fantastic

prizes such as a free trip on Rovos Rail and a Starlight Cruise, contact Andy Anderson

on 071-146 6160 or visit the USR website.

Railway History Society:- The RHS meeting will now take place on Wednesday, 1 August

2012 at Mike Cottrell’s residence, 8 Old New Germany Road, Westville. Combined

Library/Museum sessions: 11:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays, 21 July and 18 August 2012 at Inchanga

station. Willing hands are desperately needed at the library and museum, especially in the

archive section which seems to grow by the month! Coffee available at 11 and “bring & braai” at

1pm.

D.S.M.E.:- Durban Society of Model Engineers operates miniature live steam trains for

the public on the second Sunday of each month at Kellaway Park, Hinton Grove,

VIRGINIA. Contact Alf Farr on 031-564 7066.

P.M.E.S.:- Pietermaritzburg Model Engineering Society operates miniature live steam

trains for the public on the first Sunday of each month at Bisley in

PIETERMARITZBURG. Contact Andries Keyser on 082-557 2119.

Appeal for assistance on behalf of RSSA National:- Can anyone help with shelving

materials (even SA Pine would be good) to accommodate the Society’s extensive

collection of SA Rail magazine back-copies?

Branch Scribe:- As mentioned above, we will soon be losing our Branch Scribe, who

faithfully keeps a record of the happenings at monthly meetings for inclusion in Natal

Newsletter. This is an appeal for another volunteer to step in to this position which, I’m

sure James will confirm, is not a particularly onerous one.

Photographic Section:- James also took care of the Photographic Competition, so this

once-a-year function is also looking for a new owner. Please contact me if you are able

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to assist.

How to Enter

Page 2

How to enter?

To win just answer the simple question below

How old is “Maureen” our Ex SAR Class 3BR No. 1486 Locomotive?

Answer: * A) 25 yrs B) 45 yrs C) 100 yrs

First Name: *

Surname: *

Address: *

Email Address: *

Telephone Number: *

: Tick this box if you wish to receive more amazing

competitions and fantastic prizes from Umgeni Steam

Railway in the future.

Terms and conditions: * I have read and accept the full terms and conditions.

* required

1. All entries received before Friday 22 February 2013 will be entered into the

competition.

2. Entries from World Wide entrants will be eligible for the competition. The

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winner / s must have valid Passport / s & necessary Visa / s in place by 31 March

2013. Failing which the prize will be redrawn and allocated to a local South

African Resident.

3. The winner will be the first entry drawn on Sunday 24 February 2013 by Umgeni

Steam Railway at Inchanga Station, KZN Natal Republic of South Africa.

4. Acknowledgement of the prize must be received by 01 March 2013.

5. Every reasonable effort will be made to contact the winner. If a winner cannot be

contacted within 14 days of the close of the competition, the prize may be

awarded to another entrant.

6. The prize is a trip for 2 adults on MSC Sinfonia, & Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa

Luxury Train and accommodation in Cape Town as applicable.

7. The prize does not include travel to the RSA departure station or airport, travel

insurance, accommodation prior to and after arrival at first & last points of

departure, or other miscellaneous holiday expenditure.

8. The prize must be confirmed before 31 March 2013. There is no cash alternative

or exchange.

9. The prize is non-transferable.

10. This competition is only valid for those aged 18 or over.

11. Umgeni Steam Railway reserves the right to change or withdraw the competition

and/or prizes at anytime.

12. There will be one winner and one prize per prize draw for prize/s offered

13. The Judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Filler: “Kobus” – Petrus Botha

Former SAR Police vehicle now used by Metro

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Railwayana – Hein Truter

Hein Truter has wet our appetite with this exhibition. [ I know somebody who is looking for a

water bottle!]

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Filler: GCR Paper clip – Dries van der Merwe

Friends of the Rail - Rekord Moot Pretoria

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South African Models

Scalecraft: - Adrian Hill

As you may or may not be aware, Scalecraft is the leading manufacturer of SAR model

railway goodies in the world. You name it, we make it...well ok, we try to anyway! As it

goes in small business, things take longer than one anticipates but then, we would rather

deliver a quality product late than a crappy product early.

The time has come to speak about the little things in life. No, I don't mean giving the wife

chocolates or flowers, I mean the really important stuff, model trains. We will be presenting

a monthly modeling column in the magazine, courtesy of Hennie.

In our Shed

Our range is growing on a daily basis. We have spent so much time to perfect our

manufacturing methods that it is fairly simple to add new model to the range. A lot of the

parts are laser cut and we've already built up a vast library of designs. We have some weird

and wonderful models too....

Premier Classe sleeper coach

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Steam car

ROVOS Rail sleeper coach

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XPJ-12 Jet fuel tanker

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to receive a catalog of our products.

News from the Training Room

The Training Room i.e. Workshop is full of 15F's at the moment. We are building furiously

to stay ahead of demand. The 15F is such a stunning locomotive and each model is hand

built. Each model becomes almost like a child, having its own character and personality....I

can hear you thinking (yeah right, pull the other leg), but it’s true, when you spend as much

time building models as we do, you tend to become attached to each one of them. There is

nothing like having lots of models, ready to be dispatched, lined up in a row, looking like

soldiers ready for battle.

15F’s ready to be adopted by their new “Parents”

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We recently developed interior kits for Lima coaches. The kits are laser cut from 1mm clear

plastic. The kits are extremely easy to assemble and pop straight into a standard Lima

coach. There are a whole host of interior kits already available for all sorts of South African

coaches. You name it, we do it. We've created kitchen, dining and lounge car interiors. The

kitchen car has a stove and shelves and the lounge car has chairs, tables and a large cabinet

on the wall behind the bar.

Basic interior of an AA-3 kitchen car without enhanced detailing.

Scale Tales & Tips

A gentleman phoned me the other day asking for “N trains”...after a bit of discussion it

became clear that he wants to start in the hobby but “his buddies” told him the way to go is

to buy “N trains” and to put them on a big board. So, he went out and bought the board

but now he’s stuck. Hmmm...I asked him about the country that he wants to model, the

particular era, the livery and then of course the scene.....I think that he had a blank

expression on his face on the other side of the line because he stammered that he never

actually thought about it. Railroad modeling is so much more than just running trains

around on a circular track (ok, you could do that if it makes you happy). What I like most

about modeling, especially South African, is that one can recreate what you see around

you. When I look out the side window of my car, I don't see just the landscape; I imagine

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what it would look like in a diorama, what it would take to build and how long it would

take to do. My wife has even taken to looking at the world through the same lens, she

comes home the other day and tells me all about the 36 diesel that she saw shunting about

Canal Walk...cool hey, my wife gets more excited about seeing a 36-200 than a new Gucci

bag... Anyhow, one should think about all these issues before you start laying down track

or buying stuff. It is so easy to become blinded by all the nice stuff that is available and of

course all the “advice” that you get from your buddies that you quickly ends up having a

mixed bag of incompatible trains and equipment. The best is to do some research, speak to

as many people as you can and spend hours on the internet learning about modeling in

general. Modeling can be very frustrating if you go about it haphazardly, but like most

things in life, it could also be very rewarding, even without spending lots of money. You

don't believe me, just look at the beautiful models that Elizabeth Jardine makes. She spends

hours, lovingly creating her little shacks from all sorts of bits n pieces of “stuff” that most

of us just discard.

Elizabeth Jardine’s handiwork

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Rail Mail

I have been talking with a friend in the UK who is heavily into garden rail. He reckons that

there is interest in SAR 1:19 scale narrow gauge and 1:24 scale 3ft6in gauge. Mail me and

give me your thoughts on going this route.

Contact us

www.scalecraft.co.za

http://www.facebook.com/Scalecraft

[email protected]

021 592 72 69

+2721 592 7269

Adrian Hill his eldest daughter Bianca. “Yes!” she also loves trains!

Adrian Hill says:

“Take a look at my website www.scalecraft.co.za “

Dream Trains – Wynand Vermeulen

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16 Besembos Avenue,

Pellissier, 9301

Bloemfontein,

South Africa

PO Box 32882,

Fichardtpark,

9317

www.dreamtrains.co.za

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Pretoria Swapmeet

DREAM TRAINS will be at the Pretoria swapmeet on Saturday, 30 June 2012 at John

Vorster Technical School in Rietfontein, Pretoria. Address is 1072 Meyer Street and

the Swapmeet starts at 09h00. Contact Cobus on 0833 768 359 for more detail.

Products

During the Pretoria swapmeet DREAM TRAINS will have a few new products from

Uwethu models, including corrugated iron sheds and new freight car loads. All the

products from SARM will also be available, including the complete Blue Train, the

complete SAR Trans-Karoo and the complete Spoornet Trans-Karoo. A new "melk-

wa / milk wagon" will also be available as well as numerous other rolling stock

manufactured by SARM.

Frateschi products include the SAR class 35 as well as class 34, class 31 and class 35

Powered chassis. The ever popular SAR tanker with a new number (and in new

livery!) will also be available. All SAR and Spoornet products manufactured by

Frateschi will be getting new numbers as from 2012, so keep a lookout on the

website. SAR locomotives will have a more "closer to reality" red oxide colour from

now on.

Various CMD models items like the DZ-7, B-2 and SML 13 will also be available. For

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the first time DREAM TRAINS will also have some Kadee couplers available. A few

single items from Lima also available. Products will only be announced at the

swapmeet. Visit our tables at the swapmeet and see for yourself!

Website

On the website a few pre-owned American models will appear within the next few

weeks, about a 100 rolling stock and a few DCC equipped locomotives. Roadnames

include BN, SF, MD with mainly diesels and a few steam locomotives in the

collection. Manufacturers are Bachmann, Spectrum, Atlas, Model Power, Athearn etc.

Future plans

Thank you to all the modelers that took part in the poll on their favourite livery for

South African model trains. Later in this year (towards Christmas) we plan to release

a brand New South African product, manufactured only for the South African

market. The model will be as close to the real one as possible (especially for the rivet

counters!) and will be available from us exclusively. This model is world famous and

I know that this will be the first truely SA product in many decades. Anyone who

remembers when last did Lima release a new product in the market (while they were

still existing)?

ALL ORDERS PLACED FROM 30 June 2012 UNTIL 05 July 2012 WILL ONLY BE

MAILED ON 07 July 2012 AS

WE ARE TAKING A WELL DESERVED BREAK.

Regards

Wynand Vermeulen

(Cellular: 083 409 7319)

(Email: [email protected])

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Railway Modellers’ Information Group: Contact Details

From the Press

Lorry hits Train

Whilst listening to Radio Pretoria on my computer I heard when callers phoned in, to report this

accident. It is alleged that two trucks swerved out to avoid a potholes or potholes and in the process

of avoiding the potholes (the police describe them as dongas) collided with one another and the

other vehicle succeeded in colliding with a train carrying liquid petroleum gas (LPG)! (I must say I

have been on the road in question and the potholes are serious.) This is how the accident was

reported in the press:

Lorrie mis dongas, tref trein

2012-06-15 21:35 - Alta Snyman

Derby. – ’n Vragmotor wat vir slaggate hier uitgeswaai het, het gisteroggend voor ’n trein

met bykans 30 ton vloeibare petroleumgas beland. Die botsing het omstreeks 03:00 langs

die R509 tussen Koster en Derby gebeur.

’n Verkoelingsvragmotor met bevrore hoenders was op pad Lichtenburg toe terwyl ’n

Namibiese voorhaker en sleepwa met ’n vrag Windhoek Draught in die rigting van Derby

gery het. Volgens brig. Thulani Ngubane, polisiewoordvoerder in Noordwes, het die twee

vragmotors gelyk vir slaggate uitgeswaai. Hy het die slaggate as “dongas” beskryf.

“Volgens ons inligting het die vragmotor met die bevrore hoenders ná die botsing op die

treinspoor beland. “Die bestuurder en sy passasier kon ontsnap voordat ’n goederetrein

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met 12 trokke die vragmotor getref het.” Die trein het 29,7 ton vloeibare petroleumgas

vervoer. Ná die botsing het van die gas op die padoppervlak en die treinspoor uitgelek.

Die toneel was besaai met gebarste bierblikkies en ’n swaar bierwalm het in die lug gehang.

Beeld het verneem bokse bier is vroegdag weggedra.

Omstanders het gesê hulle kla al jare oor die pad. Een man, wat nie sy naam genoem wil

hê nie, het gesê hy moet die pad daagliks gebruik om by die werk te kom en terwyl hy

werk. “Ek ken al die pad en weet waar om uit te swaai en waar om stadig te ry. Hier staan

altyd stukkende karre.”

Matshube Mfoloe, woordvoerder van Noordwes se departement van openbare werke,

vervoer en paaie, het erken dit is ’n baie slegte pad. Hy het gesê ’n span werkers het

vandeesweek met herstelwerk daaraan begin. “Hulle het waarskuwingsborde opgesit om

aan te dui die snelheidsgrens is 60 km/h en dat daar padwerk is.” Mfoloe het gesê hy is in

kennis gestel dat die botsing gebeur het waar die waarskuwingsborde opgerig is.

’n Vragmotor wat vir slaggate tussen Derby en Koster uitgeswaai het, het voor ’n trein met

petroleumgas beland. Foto: Nelius Rademan

Verw: http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Lorrie-mis-dongas-tref-trein-20120615

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SA RAILWAY RELATED INTERNET GROUPS

• Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe (sic)

Visit our website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/74709226744/

It is an “open group” on the railways in South Africa. Keep abreast with the latest developments of

the railways in South Africa. It was started by Hennie Heymans some years ago. Johannes Marais is

co- administrator. No politics or no language questions. Keep it simple: only one thing on the

agenda: Railways in Southern Africa.

630 Members

• Yahoo: SAR-Miniatures – Adrian Hill

Please join us on our mailing list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sar-miniatures/join We

not only talk about modelling SAR but also about modelling in general. The list is free of

politics and bickering and our aim is not only to advance SAR modelling but also to

exchange ideas and techniques.

• Facebook: ‘RHODESIA RAILWAY’ Group - John Batwell

A recent innovation on Facebook has been the start and rapid development of a RHODESIA RAILWAYS site.

Started by former railway employee Eddie Roussot, the site has grown in leaps and bounds and has over 260

members already and a plethora of photographs which depict the historical milestones and development of

the small country’s railway since those pioneering days back in 1897. Besides photos of stations, sidings,

locomotives of all types of traction, there are a number of photos posted too depicting the human resources of

the railway. The facility has enabled so many folk spread far and wide across the world to reunite

electronically and share their nostalgic and contemporary photographic records and short comments of

another time and age working on one of Southern Africa’s most efficient rail systems. The facility also enables

technical questions to be shared and responses offered, new publications to be marketed, as well as a catch-up

time with old friends and work colleagues of yesteryear.

• Website for Reefsteamers: Lee Gates

Remember that while I have undertaken to do a Reefsteamers

Depot Report-styled progress document, at intervals, you can

find the latest information (albeit a bit scattered) on the 15F

2914 Facebook Page at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/387773301244867/

Thanks, Lee Gates

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• Andre Kritzinger

André Kritzinger, Cape Town, Website:

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/grela/chessie01.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_of_South_Africa

http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/

http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=12115

Groups: You are welcome to ad your group’s particulars here ...

Filler: Boksburg Station – Johannes Botha

Filler: TransNamib – Steve Compion

124

Out of Africa

Map: Beira to Moatze in Mozambiqe - Bruno Martin

125

J Beukes in Mozambiek

Above: At Moatise Station

Mr J Beukes driving in Mozambique

126

Crossing the Zambezi and below a relic of the war – a pill box

127

Crossing another train

128

Former SAR coaches in the consist

Mocambique guards van

129

Lourenco Marques (Maputo) - Antonio Mendes

Pandora’s Box

Anything can come out of Pandora’s Box, here are some pictures we received this month:

Truck for “Peacekeeper” ISB Missile : US Air Force Museum – Johannes Botha

130

Garage doors: Believe it or not?

131

India

You’re in, or out? ... or on top! At least his gentleman has a seat!

Mail Bag

Les Pivnic: E1 & Railway Museum

Hello Hennie

132

Thanks for another interesting edition of Uloliwe.

With reference to the black class 1E at Ladysmith, it was our (SA Railway Museum)

intention to plinth a class 1E at Danskraal in recognition of the sterling service provided

by that class of loco on the Natal main line. Research in our Museum office uncovered

evidence that the 1Es when originally delivered in 1923/24 were painted black. In

recognition of this, we decided to paint the unit selected for preservation at Danskraal -

black. While I cannot refute your other correspondent's reference to SA Police and "special

ops", we had no knowledge of this in the Museum. The green livery soon replaced the

original black in service on the Natal System.

With regard to the thought that the Museum should still be where it was in Johannesburg

with a satellite at either Esselen Park or Salvokop, I would be tempted to ask - have you

been to the Johannesburg "CBD" lately?

Unless there has been dramatic improvement (of which I am unaware) in the general area

and in South Station Building itself, no self-respecting museum could be housed there any

longer. The old Johannesburg Station roof structure that was erected at Newtown near the

Produce Market is also no place for a museum to be situated.

In addition, the 103 acre site that we had earmarked at Esselen Park - adjoining the

northern border of the College was also abandoned in my time by the Museum because of

dolomite problems in the area.

Salvokop - the old SAR Mechanical Shops adjoining Pretoria Station was ideal when I was

still involved in such matters but the Pretoria City Council advised the System Manager

that the area was going to be involved with new road developments in that area. That is

why we again had to abandon a site that would have been eminently suitable for

development of the major planned Railway Museum. The old Foundry and Shop 13 as

well as the loco erecting and tender Shops were still standing and in good condition after

the ME moved to Koedoespoort. These buildings would have provided wonderful covered

accommodation for our planned museum. But sadly, it was not to be! Our final attempt at

establishing a large museum was moved to Krugersdorp Loco Depot but then political

changes were on the horizon and all non-essential expenditure was scrapped - hence the

loco and coach scrap yard at Krugersdorp Loco.

So in the end Hennie, it didn't really matter anymore - official railway preservation in the

New South Africa was like a ship that had drifted onto the rocks!

133

Regards

Les P

Col Andre H Kritzinger: Hextunnel

For those interested, I've just revisited the Hexton article. (Had to, with

all the info in Soul of A Railway...) Also omitted some urban legend - the

ground water part.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hex_River_Tunnels

Regards,

André,

J & J Wepener: Cleaning of Coaches

Hi Hennie,

Whilst stationed at Worcester, it was the Leading Hand carriage cleaner and his team of 7

to keep a set of passenger stock clean. This group fell directly under the control of the

Goods and Passengers Superintendant.

Being in charge of the Staff and General section at Worcester, the supply of all the

necessary cleaning materials fell upon this office.

His team was divided into a group of 5, who swept, hosed out/down the interior/exterior of

coaches/van, cleaned windows, beat/washed carpets, cleaned/polished all brass/chrome

work and applied upholstery cleaner to seats/backrests. One member was used for the

exclusive cleaning of toilets, could not be used for any other purpose. Even when the

Parcels office was snowed down under large volumes of received or forwarded parcels he

could not help, similarly one member was set aside for the flushing/cleaning of under

frame water storage tanks and removal/washing/cleaning/filling and replacement of all

plastic drinking bottles, he also could not help his friends with any other tasks. This

watering person had to be sent for regular TB tests. The local Health Inspector checking his

134

file regularly for the necessary certificate of good health. These two jobs were quite in

demand, usually elder staff members, as once the necessary toilets and water duties had

been completed, these two took it easy. The Station building and Offices had their own

toilet cleaning staff.

The equipment used was as follows:-

Aprons Chrome Leather Full Length.

Worn by coach cleaning staff as protection from

possible harmful chemicals.

Bag Canvas With Shoulder Carrying Carrying equipment.

Black Lead, Application/Polishing Brushes. Getting under frame shiny.

Brooms Hard Bass.

Cleaning and sweeping train compartment

carpets.

Brooms Soft Hair Sweeping carriage Compartments/ Coupes/

Corridors

Brushes Carpet Soft Hand Held Brushing carpets.

Brushes American Carpet Long Handle.

Brushing carpets.

Brushes Banister. Soft/Hard.

Brushing upholstery. Seats/ Back Rests.

Brushes Paint 10cm.

Cleaning difficult to reach places.

Brushes Scrubbing Long Handled.

Brushes Scrubbing Long Handled.

Brushes Toilet Stiff Bristle. Cleaning toilets.

Buckets Galvanised 20 Litre. Carrying water for washing of carriages.

Cloths Soft Yellow. Wiping and dusting of surfaces.

Cleaner Carbolic Tins. Toilet cleaning.

Cloth Mutton Rolls. General cleaning.

Cotton Waste. General cleaning.

Dusters Feather Long Handle. Dusting carriages.

Dusters Feather Short Handle. Dusting carriages.

Fumigation Equipment/Tablets. Regular fumigation of coaches. [L.H. Cleaner

would stencil date on date grid, found on under

frame].

Handles Broom Wooden Long. Replacement broken/ damaged handles.

Ladders Wooden Hinged 4 Rung. Getting to high places in coaches.

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Ladders Wooden Straight 10 Rung. Leaning against outside of coaches to wash high

places.

Mats Compartment. Extra to replace worn mats.

Matches Safety. To ignite fumigation tablets.

Mops Rope Type Cleaning carriage floors,

Moth Balls Bulk. Placement in bedding cupboards.

Oxalic Acid. Used with care and not often on outside coach

paint work.

Paraffin. Removal of stubborn floor stains.

Polish Floor Tins. Use on floors.

Polish Furniture Bottles Use on older wooded coaches interiors.

Polish Metal Tins. Use on metal surfaces.

Deodorant/Perfumed Blocks Large. Fitting in toilet metal holders.

QAC Liquid 5 Litres Plastic Containers. Disinfectant liquid general purpose use.

Soap Powder. Add to water, for carriage cleaning.

Spray Insect 5 Litre Tins. Spraying carriages in certain areas.

Spray Hand Held. Use with insect spray.

Spray Stirrup Type. Used from bucket to spray large areas.

Sterrie Chlor Powder. “:Wyandotte” Add to under frame water tanks. and washing of

filling hose nozzles / caps and tank filler pipes.

[Special bucket kept for this purpose only].

Sterrie Dot Powder. For disinfecting drinking water bottles / lids /

taps/ washers / chrome carriage holders / hand

held carriers and large four wheeled bottle

carrying trolleys.

Toilet Rolls Soft Single Ply. Use by passengers.

Towelling Material Rolls Large. Cut to size for washing of all surfaces.

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Tubes Inner Old RTS Scrap. To be bound around top of straight ladders, to

prevent damage to outsides of coaches.

Window Cleaner Blocks. Cleaning all glass surfaces.

Also kept in stock would be 24v bulbs, 6w/40w tubes even a few shaver sockets for use by

E.L. & P. Staff to replace blown/damaged items. This staff would also check generators and

batteries. The necessary dates being stencilled on date grid found on battery boxes. The

local Works Inspector’s artisans would undertake any plumbing, small carpentry and

welding repairs required. Local C & W Examiner would check brake blocks/gear/pipes.

Should a coach need heavy repairs the L H Cleaner would arrange with Operating, who

would in turn arrange with Culumborgh passenger yard for a replacement coach to be

forwarded soonest and the defective coach would be sent to then on first available train.

The coach in for repair was returned as it was in a very clean state. Loan coaches often

required much hard work to get then clean, having been standing in the yard for long

periods with no use.

From 1952 Circular No. R.S. 9/V/22 (a) of May 1952 signed W Heckroodt, General Manager.

CLEANING AND DISINFESTATIONS of COACHING STOCK AND VANS and

SUPPLY OF WATER TO TRAINS.

All the above cleaning items were ordered on a six monthly basis, in a special requisition

book. Should supplies run out before book was due to be completed, a special requisition

was completed, together with a letter explaining, why more supplies were required. E.g.:-

More coaches being cleaned for special trains.

Those were the good days when the Railways worked, as a well oiled Administration. With

a staff complement of 285,000, all doing what was expected from them.

Coach cleaning greetings,

John and Jacque.

137

Les Pivnic: Photo Coach Cleaning

Hello Hennie,

The attached SAR photo shows the 1947 Royal Train being cleaned during the tour.This is

the only photo that I have showing coach cleaning. I remember years ago, the SAR & H

Magazine ran a few photos showing coach cleaners at work at East London but I haven't

got copies of those photos. I hope that the attached photo will be of use to you.

Regards,

Les

• Dear Les, Thanks very much - HBH

138

J & J Wepener – Punctuality of the Blue Train

Hi Hennie,

Vandag met oud GVB Spoorwegman gesels. Hy uiters verbaas dat Bloutrein deesdae laat

loop, tot 4 uur laat. Hy gemeld dat in tagtiger jare, was hulle in groot moeilikheid as hulle

die Bloutrein vertraag meer as TWEE minute.

Alle vertragings van alle tipe treine was deeglik deur Bedryf Inspekteur en ander senior

amptenare ondersoek, om die probleem te bepaal en uit te skakel. Indien nodig was ‘n

dissiplinêre verhoor gereël en ‘n gepaste straf is aan die skuldiges toe gepas.

Vandag is die Spoorweë meer goedere georiënteerd, passasierstreine is so min, dit maak

nie saak of hulle vertraag word al dan nie.

Geen trots meer oor nie in vandag se Spoorwegman.

“Trein laat”-groete,

John en Jacque.

Old Boon once told me a story: His father Mr Boonzaaier was involved with the

tracklaying. Once day a railworker was injured somewhere near Lainsburg. The only train

that could take the injured man to Cape Town was the Blue Train. It was stopped, picked

up the patient and was a few minutes late – accoding to Boon’s father they clubbed in paid

the fine of a few pounds!

Running late of tourist trains like the Blue Train causes problems for tourists having to

catch a flight! Boon had many problems like this with Spoornet.

Lee Gates – Mr Whitehouse


Invitation to Presentation :

We are hosting an INFORMAL presentation event at our Reefsteamers Club House

at the Germiston Depot. The speaker will be Mr. Michael Whitehouse, who last

spoke to us in June 2011. We are planning to host the presentation at 19H00, this

Thursday, 28 June 2012. We will finish when the conversation runs low on steam,

139

but probably between 21H00 and 22H00.

The planned presentation is to be open to everyone, including members of other

steam clubs. Mr. Whitehouse will give us a talk likely based on a DVD featuring

the Vintage Trains operation / Tyseley Locomotive Works with questions and

discussions. They are both extensive, professionally run operations that involve

both volunteers and employed staff. They also demonstrate aspects of the business

model towards which Reefsteamers Association is striving as a long term goal. Visit

their impressive website at http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/

However, the actual topic is open to Mr. Whitehouse’s discretion in the

limited preparation time that he has available while on his current trip.

There is NO CHARGE for the event. Tea, coffee n’ biccies will be

provided. However, due to the unavoidably short notice, the traditional home-

made soup will not be available.

There is no need to book ahead.

Who is this gentleman?

Mr. Whitehouse is a good friend of Reefsteamers and he follows our activities with great

interest. He is an approachable but high profile personality in UK steam preservation.

Michael has 30 years’ experience of large, complex projects both in the UK and overseas,

particularly on the African Continent. In his role as a projects legal expert, he is frequently

tasked to provide strategic and legal advice to clients concerning their involvement with

railways and infrastructure projects.

Some links of interest:

Tyseley Locomotive Works : http://www.shakespeareexpress.com/tlw/

Tyseley Locomotive Works

(Wiki):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyseley_Locomotive_Works

What is he us to?

Mr. Whitehouse is currently on a tour in South Africa, speaking at the Africa Rail Expo

hosted at the Sandton Conference Centre. He is delivering insight on topics such as

railway concessions (including private), case studies on the railway systems of Zambia, the

Gautrain and Rift Valley Railways; the landscape of African railways and more.

140

Regardless, he is taking time out of his busy schedule to visit a chilly old Steam Depot set

amongst the scruffy mine dumps, far away from Sandton’s bright lights.

Come out for a visit and learn about some of what is happening in the big wide

world of steam preservation that exists outside of our rickety boundary fence!

Thanks.

Lee Gates

Treintoere in Suider Afrika: JB Tours

-

Stop Press

-

Greg Hart captured this at

Cedara.

Next Issue / Volgende Uitgawe

The next issue of “The Ulolwe” will be Vol 3 No 8 and will be published, DV, sometime

141

during August 2012 – Please send in your comments, anecdotes and photographs. Take care!

Stuur solank u stories, herinneringe en eie foto’s aan [email protected] in jpg-formaat

Goodbye from Kroonstad in the Free State – J & J Wepener

Hennie Heymans – Pretoria, ZA © 2012

the uloliwe

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