uloliwe 4 no 11

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THE ULOLIWETHE ULOLIWETHE ULOLIWETHE ULOLIWE

The Railways of Southern Africa: Past & Present The Railways of Southern Africa: Past & Present The Railways of Southern Africa: Past & Present The Railways of Southern Africa: Past & Present

Spoorweë van SuidelikeSpoorweë van SuidelikeSpoorweë van SuidelikeSpoorweë van Suidelike----Afrika: Toeka tot NouAfrika: Toeka tot NouAfrika: Toeka tot NouAfrika: Toeka tot Nou

A monthly railway historical and research publication

‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie

Vol Vol Vol Vol 4444 No No No No 11111111 UnUnUnUn----official / Nie Amptelofficial / Nie Amptelofficial / Nie Amptelofficial / Nie Amptelik ik ik ik ---- GratisGratisGratisGratis

Everything to do with the former SA Railways: i.e.

lighthouses, harbours, staff, photos, books, RMT,

stations, tugs, SAR Police, SAA, catering, pipelines,

SAR stamps, SAR models, SAR rolling stock, South

African armoured trains, diagrams, etc

Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZAHennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZAHennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZAHennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA

[email protected]

NovemNovemNovemNovemberberberber 2012012012013333

All photographs carry copyright by their respective photographers.All photographs carry copyright by their respective photographers.All photographs carry copyright by their respective photographers.All photographs carry copyright by their respective photographers.

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CONTENTS

All photographs carry copyright by their respective photographers. ........................................ 1

CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

WELCOME ................................................................................................................................................. 8

FRONT COVER – VOORBLAD ................................................................................................................ 8

EDITORIAL – REDAKSIONEEL ............................................................................................................... 9

A point to ponder ..................................................................................................................................... 10

• My Wissels ..................................................................................................................................... 10

WEPENER’S PERAMBULATIONS AND … SOME RAILWAY HISTORY ........................................ 11

• Railway Housing Scheme ......................................................................................................... 11

• 20131025 ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Free State Steam .................................................................................................................................... 19

• Welkom ...................................................................................................................................... 19

Circus Trains ......................................................................................................................................... 19

• Circus train photo’s: HBH ........................................................................................................ 22

PHOTO ESSAYS ....................................................................................................................................... 25

• Linda Jansen van Rensburg [JVR Photo-Art] .......................................................................... 25

PHOTO ESSAY: VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA: RAY ELLIS (AUSTRALIA): HBH ............................... 25

• Friends of the Rail & Lt-Col Eric Samuels ............................................................................... 26

• 34-650 @ Hercules - Hermanstad ............................................................................................. 30

• Blue Train: 20 May 2013 ............................................................................................................ 31

The War Museum: Bloemfontein ........................................................................................................ 32

• Agterryer .................................................................................................................................... 32

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• 7A 975: War Train ..................................................................................................................... 33

• The Block House ........................................................................................................................ 37

• British Garrison Hospital .......................................................................................................... 38

• British Graves: CWGC .............................................................................................................. 40

Kimberley .............................................................................................................................................. 40

• Brill Tram ................................................................................................................................... 40

• De Beers: Director’s Coach ....................................................................................................... 41

Lammertjiesleegte ................................................................................................................................. 42

• Beaufort West’s forgotten railway ........................................................................................... 42

Matjesfontein ......................................................................................................................................... 45

• The river in flood ....................................................................................................................... 47

• Matjesfontein’s Class 7 987 and preserved coaches ................................................................ 48

• “The Entertainer”: John Theunissen ........................................................................................ 49

• London Double Decker ............................................................................................................. 51

• Fire Engine ................................................................................................................................. 52

Meeting: Railway History Group ........................................................................................................ 52

• Cape Town Station 271023 ....................................................................................................... 56

• Atlantic Rail: Sunday 27 October 2013 .................................................................................... 59

Cape Fish-braai: Leon (Div) de Villiers ............................................................................................... 65

From my archive: .................................................................................................................................. 68

• De Beers Coach (Via Paul Els) .................................................................................................. 68

• Diagram of the Class 7 (Espitalier) .......................................................................................... 69

• Class 7 Bloemfontein War Museum......................................................................................... 69

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• Class 7: Matjesfontein ............................................................................................................... 70

• Memorials near Matjesfontein .................................................................................................. 73

• Anglo-Boer War: Matjesfontein ............................................................................................... 76

• Cricket at Matjesfontein ............................................................................................................ 76

NATAL MAIN LINE ................................................................................................................................ 77

• Jacobus Marais .............................................................................................................................. 77

• Construction Train at Lion’s River........................................................................................... 77

• Blue Train in Natal .................................................................................................................... 78

• Rovos at Cedara ........................................................................................................................ 81

• Between Merrivale en Cedara .................................................................................................. 82

• 35-615 at Merrivale .................................................................................................................... 83

• Shongololo Express ................................................................................................................... 84

• Rudi Venter ................................................................................................................................... 84

• 43-000 Class ............................................................................................................................... 84

• Mist and sunrise ........................................................................................................................ 89

Industrial Steam: KZN ............................................................................................................................. 91

• Sappi Saiccor Umkomaas: Lukas Potgieter ............................................................................. 91

WESTERN CAPE ...................................................................................................................................... 93

• Francois Mattheüs ......................................................................................................................... 93

• Touws River: Willie Marais .......................................................................................................... 98

• Klein Brak River: Tubby Myburgh .............................................................................................. 98

• Caledon: Piet van Staden .............................................................................................................. 99

TRANSVAAL ......................................................................................................................................... 102

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• Sentrarand: Hans Sturgeon .................................................................................................... 102

• 39-217 Lydenburg: Jan Thirion ............................................................................................... 103

• 20E: Jan Thirion ....................................................................................................................... 103

EASTERN CAPE..................................................................................................................................... 104

• Noel Welch .............................................................................................................................. 104

THE SALDANHA – SISHEN LINE ...................................................................................................... 104

RHODESIAN RAILWAYS ..................................................................................................................... 104

Bloemfontein – Port Elizabeth ............................................................................................................... 104

• Martin Nel ................................................................................................................................ 104

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL & RAILWAY HISTORY: RICHARD CLATWORTHY ................................. 114

• American Transcontinental Railroad (Part 3) ....................................................................... 114

Railway History ...................................................................................................................................... 120

• Cape Government Railways ................................................................................................... 120

• Natal Government Railways .................................................................................................. 121

• NZASM: Celebration 1895: Opening of the Eastern Line .................................................... 121

• OVSS: Viljoensdrift Ray Ellis ................................................................................................. 122

• Trains from the Anglo-Boer War: 1899 - 1902: Johan Jacobs ................................................ 123

RAILWAY ART ...................................................................................................................................... 125

RAILWAYANA ...................................................................................................................................... 125

RAIL IMMIGRANTS: MEL TURNER & QT ........................................................................................ 125

• Kenya orders rebuilt B23-7 from NRE ................................................................................... 125

SA METRO RAIL .................................................................................................................................... 126

• Gauteng .................................................................................................................................... 127

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Cape Metropole .................................................................................................................................. 127

• Cape Town: HBH .................................................................................................................... 127

Cape Town – Malmesbury ................................................................................................................. 127

Durban ................................................................................................................................................. 127

East London ........................................................................................................................................ 128

Port Elizabeth ...................................................................................................................................... 128

• PE – Uitenhage: JvR Photo-art ................................................................................................ 128

GAUTRAIN ............................................................................................................................................ 129

Gautrain News: Compiled by Johan Jacobs...................................................................................... 129

RAILWAY PEOPLE – SPOORWEGMENSE ........................................................................................ 132

• 1918: SA Railways Police & SAP Touws River ..................................................................... 132

PREVIOUS ISSUES OF ULOLIWE ........................................................................................................ 133

RAIL HUMOUR ................................................................................................................................. 133

• Caledon: Piet van Staaden ...................................................................................................... 133

BOOK SHELF ......................................................................................................................................... 134

• South African Steam ... two new books published (and an apology): Dennis Moore ..... 134

LEGAL AFRICA ..................................................................................................................................... 137

RAILWAY HISTORY GROUP: WALLY GREIG .................................................................................. 137

RMIG: L PENNING ................................................................................................................................ 137

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS .............................................................................................................. 138

• Johannes Botha ........................................................................................................................ 138

RAILWAY MODELING ........................................................................................................................ 138

• “G” Scale: 19E .......................................................................................................................... 138

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• “G” Scale: 15E .......................................................................................................................... 139

• “G” Scale: SCL-18 Car Carrier ................................................................................................ 139

• HO Scale: 7E ............................................................................................................................ 139

A nice Train Set: Koos Kotze .......................................................................................................... 140

NEWS ...................................................................................................................................................... 140

• Class 20E on Wikipedia .......................................................................................................... 140

• Class 20E: Phil du Plessis ........................................................................................................ 141

PRESS RELEASE..................................................................................................................................... 142

• Indian train station lays claim to world's longest platform: It measures almost a mile long

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THE RAILWAY MARKET PLACE ....................................................................................................... 145

• Loco Badges: Andries Meiring ............................................................................................... 145

• Tray: J & J Wepener ................................................................................................................. 146

RAIL HUMOUR ..................................................................................................................................... 147

PANDORA’S BOX .................................................................................................................................. 147

RAILWAY ARCHEOLOGY ................................................................................................................... 147

• NZASM .................................................................................................................................... 147

• Where have all the SAR locos gone? Gert Jubileus ............................................................... 148

• Caledon .................................................................................................................................... 150

RAILWAY HISTORY ............................................................................................................................. 153

• Soul of a Railway: C Lewis ..................................................................................................... 153

• IMR: Ticket............................................................................................................................... 153

• Largest Doorknob in the World? Dave Jehan (Australia) .................................................... 154

MAIL BAG .............................................................................................................................................. 155

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• Vested Interests of Railwaymen: Pensions: Adv Anton Alberts ......................................... 155

• Last month: Mike Spilsbury ................................................................................................... 156

An answer for Mike ............................................................................................................................ 157

• Mike Spilsbury - Martin Knoetze ........................................................................................... 157

• Cape Town Station Time Tables ............................................................................................ 157

• 15F - 3026 ................................................................................................................................. 158

• Dr NC Lamprecht: Durban ..................................................................................................... 160

• SoAR: Port Elizabeth NG: C Lewis ........................................................................................ 160

STOP PRESS ............................................................................................................................................ 161

DISCLAIMER AND GREETINGS ......................................................................................................... 161

NEXT ISSUE & GREETINGS ................................................................................................................. 162

WELCOME

Welcome to our November-issue. / Welkom by ons November-uitgawe.

I am truley sorry for the delay. Excuses? In the world I come from there were no excuses – you paid

dearly for mistakes or negligence. However, I spent about two weeks travelling is South Africa with

our Australian train-lover and then I spent nearly two weeks as “police advisor” for a movie being

shot in South Africa. Being advisor is extremely hard work and one has to work long hours on the

set; with make up and with wardrobe. Some days I had to get up at 03:00 and work through to

18:00 – long albeit, interesting days! I am looking forward to shooting in Durban ...

FRONT COVER – VOORBLAD

19D No 2640 at Sedgefield

on 31-07-2006

by Schalk Burger

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EDITORIAL – REDAKSIONEEL

In the movie in which I am acting as police advisor, the former SA Police are portrayed as the

“villains” in the movie. We were the bad guys. (Yes, we had a few bad apples!) However, at least in

the movie the police are portrayed 99.9% historically correct – there are one or two points regarding

uniform that can’t be fixed. This just proves that our memories are short and we should remember

history is written by those who come to power – the winners never complain about the rules.

However I told the director that the truth is like a lion1 – you don’t have to guard it, it can look after

itself.

Strange, the people on the set, black and white have accepted me: Although I told them I was a

Boer and I hail from the dreaded ‘Security Police’. Some have embraced me like a long last friend. I

found this remarkable and the camaraderie on the set is very good. A week in Durban then we say

good bye to our friends on the set! A total new experience for me.

Strange we, the Security Forces including the troopies, were once the heroes and now we are

portrayed as the villains in the new dispensation.

At this juncture I think it appropriate to pay homage to all our forces and

policemen, who kept us safe. Please just sit and think for one minute: We

all travelled safely on the trains and on our planes. We had our men in the

harbours and in the air as “Sky Marshalls.” We never lost a SAA aeroplane

due to terror – please sit down and think why? We left our comfortable hot

beds in winter; we never got hot meals or overtime! All our time was at the disposal of the state. We

did not choose where and when we could serve; we served were we were posted. We served where

we were called for duty in South Africa and beyond the borders of our country.

We did our homework and kept the planes safe. Personally I can remember only one instance

where the Trans Natal, which was travelling fast, went over an explosive device which exploded

leaving a gap of about one metre. No injuries or damage. I can’t remember any event where the

airways, railways or harbours really came under threat. Semper vigilius.

In this instance we should also remember the role played by the SAR Fire Departments. If one

appreciates the dangers they faced; one realise that these men were also heroes!

1 “The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself.”

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Many cases of sabotage or terrorism were successfully and jointly investigated by the SAP and SA

Railways Police. We were policemen who faced trained terrorists, we were not diplomats or

journalists – no, we were the guys who tackled them head on! Sometimes questions could only be

asked afterwards. Your curiosity and good manners could have killed you in an arena where the

Queensbury rules and the Geneva Convention were neither in inexistence; they also shot first w/o

questions being asked.

Please join me in a toast to all our men who served with pride and who were prepared to sacrifice

their lives in order for other too may live.

A point to ponder: A Poem from J & J Wepener

• My Wissels

Ek het dikwels al gewonder waar my wissel heen lê. Al dikwels gedroom oor

wat ek wil hê.

En as ek daar voor die wisselwerf staan, wie gee die handsein om in te kan

gaan,

Dis nog altyd 'n vraag wat my dikwels laat wonder: is die TRANS KAROO daar bo

soos hier onder?

Maar hoe lê die wissels daar ver om die draai wat my trein op sy koers na sy

eindpunt moet swaai

As die laaste fluit oor die velde weerklink en die spoor daar ver deur die

wolke blink

As ek iewers in die lug my heel laaste trein op blink spore laat ry tot aan

die hemelse kruin

Dan ry ek my trein oor die eindlose spoor met die wete daar's net een stasie

oor.

Thank you for your support gentlemen! Without you, I cannot do this magazine!

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Baie dankie vir u briewe en foto’s

WEPENER’S PERAMBULATIONS AND … SOME RAILWAY HISTORY

• Railway Housing Scheme

Hi Hennie,

Nog ‘n stukkie Spoorweggeskiedenis waarvan min die werking van weet:

The South African Railways and Harbours Administration had thousands of departmental

houses available, country wide, for staff at a very cheap rental. Only married

servants could apply, on the prescribed application form. The housing committee would sit

once a month, normally around the 25th of the month. A points system was used to allocate

houses on a fair basis, the more points the quicker a servant would be awarded a house.

Points were awarded as follows:

- 7 for each year of Railway service,

- 5 for each year marriage and 2 per child.

The Secretary would keep an updated list of applicants, which was open for the perusal of

all concerned. The secretary was normally the highest official, other than the Station

Master, Superintendent or Engineer at the Depot. In the larger areas, the System Manager’s

Office would be responsible for this task.

E.g. at Worcester the Chief Clerk under control of the Senior District Engineer [Civil] was

the secretary. The Wepener’s waited for 3 years to get a house at only R27.00, at 14

Schonken Street, Hospital Hill. After staying at 8 Schuss flats for R85 to R100 in the third

year, this was a great saving and within walking distance of the station.

On promotion to Welkom, The wife and children stayed on in Worcester until the school

closed in December. I arrived on 1st August, 1983. [Trans Oranje to Hennenman, then thrice

daily Taxi to Welkom, my Nomad and items packed inside was waiting for me at the

Goods shed]. I stayed a while in the local caravan park, then the Goods and Passenger

Superintendent, told me to stay, free of charge, in the local 10 room Rest Rooms. These

were in daily use then, plenty of hot water, lovely coal stove for cooking and weekly clean

bedding, marked in green “SAS – RUSKAMERS/SAR – REST ROOMS”. An attendant was

on daily duty.

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On arrival at Welkom one of my many new tasks was secretary of the housing meetings. I

had attended a meeting in Worcester to gather the necessary knowledge. Being told

beforehand that the best newly bought private houses, were in Riebeeckstad [7km to 10km

from the station], I had requested only to be granted a house there. A few days before my

first meeting, a RTS driver had resigned and immediately vacated his house, at Mozart

Avenue. Another task was that I together with the Goods and Passenger Superintendent, a

clerk and the local electrician, had to inspect all houses vacated, to determine any

breakages and/or damage to Railway property. These items were submitted for recovery

on the servants final clearance form [G222], together with any outstanding cash shortages

or items of equipment or uniforms not returned. [Here only the remaining period of

uniform use was claimed].

This was a fine house, built from “Klinker” bricks with some inside walls also of “Klinker”

bricks. The Goods and Passenger Superintendent said. “Engelsman dis die huis vir jou,

Dirk is jou buurman”. Dirk Cilliers being the electrician.

The day of the housing meeting dawned. The Goods and Passenger Superintendent the

Chairman, all Trade Union represent ivies also present, IE: Groups A – Sal staff, B –

Running staff, C – Employee staff, D – Artisan staff, E – Train/Yard staff. [C. Checkers, RTS,

Messengers, Porters etc. – E. Shunters, Guards, Crossing Attendants, Number takers etc.].

On that particular day a representative from the System Manager’s Office, Bloemfontein,

Works and Estates section attended the meeting. By chance or to check the new arrival?

I read out the list of available houses, I can still remember it being long and members

saying, “Dit gaan ‘n laaaaaang vergadering wees”, also probably referring to the new

secretary. Them the names of applicants, their tally of points and if a particular house had

been requested was read out. Many applicants took any house just to get a house. They

could later apply for an improved house on the exchange list, which was treated after all

new applicants, had been granted houses and better houses were still available for these

applicants.

My name was first on the list, having the most points [275], and also requesting the

Riebeeckstad house. A sigh from some members, who had wanted one of their members to

get this particular house. After the list had been read, the Chairman announced from his

notes that I had been awarded, “the prize house” and then he went on to complete the

meeting. Afterwards the various representatives congratulated me and added: “Jy lyk

jonger as jy is, jy het baie diens, dus die meeste punte”.

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This house was only R85.00pm to begin with. A year after I had occupied the house the

Administration began selling its hire houses to the occupants. I applied and offered

R49,000.00. I was informed that the price was R59,000.00. A counter offer was made and

eventually I bought the house for R53,000.00. There were two House Owner Ship schemes

[HES], same in Afrikaans Huis Eienaars Skemas. A 10% which lent 10% deposit and a 100%

which lent entire amount, including all costs. A 2% fixed interest was charged.

Your pension fund was used as guarantee, on leaving the service the remaining amount

was recovered from your pension.

Today the few hire houses still available are hired to all and sundry; controlled by a private

agent in the city/town where houses are still available. Purchase houses probably through

banks.

Yes those were the great lovely days when the Administration cared about its staff

members. We older SAR/SAT/Spoornet employees feel very heart sore and sad, thinking

back to those good times.

Housing greetings,

John and Jacque.

• 20131025

Hi guys,

Quite a few trains were missed this week.

Friedesheim - RRL are hiring a 35 from Kroonstad again. The Wesselsbron pick-up return

working and another RRL working coming back from Odendaalsrus.

Wesselsbron pick-up leaving Wesselsbron, this train has been running late

the entire week. This afternoon she was stuck at Allanridge and only came

past Welkom at 1700.

2x Ligte karre - light locos heading South at Makwassie, hoots from the driver.

Between Eersteling and Leeudoringstad a Southbound load of DZ's drifted across the veld.

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The first time we see green whistle boards?? A couple of them on the line between

Leeudoringstad and Harrisburg.

At Harrisburg a Northbound load of CAR wagons sped through at an incredible pace,

plenty of hoots from the crew.

Cheers.

J & J.

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Stuur asb u foto’s en stories na [email protected]

Sonder u kan ons nie die tydskrif uitgee nie

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Free State Steam

• Welkom

Hi Hennie.

Ietsie nostalgies, hartseer…

Mooi bly.

Jacque. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvMhY0lc7P4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZdURcRjEXM

Jacque Wepner focusses our attention to the

following youtube sites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvMhY0lc7P4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZdURcRjEXM

Circus Trains

Hi guys,

Being stationed at Booysens from 1965 to 1972. I often saw the Circus trains arriving and

departing.

Many Circus performances were held in the suburbs of Johannesburg. Near Booysens

station on the large open space at Wemmer Pan. [Transport Museum still there], or other

suitable open area around the City.

These trains would come in a few days prior to the start of their shows.

Multiple 1E’s would be heard whining from either the Germiston or Langlaagte sides,

hauling their long loads, into the yard and being shunted as and when required by the

Circus staff, by the two siding locomotives, A: “Park Central” west of Eloff street Ext. and

B: Fuel depots east of Eloff street ext., north end, would help, the normal single yard

locomotive. All steam from Kazerne Sub-shed.

Many supposed to be working-hours spent with the Goods and Passenger Superintendent,

watching the unloading of all the livestock, elephants from a type of well-wagon with a

very high round domed roof, just about clearing the cantenary.

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Then the carnival items, the Big Tent and all its supports and cables. Each Circus worker

knowing what to do and when, no time to waste. Gawked at the assortment of performers,

some putting on costumes and make up to ride around the suburbs, advertising the coming

Circus. What was great, all the Station staff received free tickets to attend a performance.

During the “RAND EASTER SHOW”, the Circus on a lesser scale had animals and rides.

All off loaded at Milner Park, the Agriculture Society’s private siding, which branched off

from Braamfontein, past the cemetery, with a spur to Cottosloe, City of Johannesburg’s Gas

works. Coal in. Ash and coke out.

[Many SADF members, would have left this siding with its small station building and

platform, for a base camp or later 3 month camp].

Due to staging constraints at Milner Park/Braamfontein yard. The empty Circus rolling

stock was sent to Booysens for staging, either via Langlaagte or Germiston. The Circus staff

coaches were staged at Milner Park.

Many rolling stock, trucks and coaches, had the Circus names painted on their sides in

bright colours. Rolling stock hired to Circus on a semi-permanent basis. Went in for regular

inspections. Carriage and Wagon Examiners would check rolling stock at various staging

sites and en-route, when travelling the country.

We remember crossing the circus train somewhere on our travels one night in the Karoo.

Hanswors groete,

John and Jacque.

Hi J and J,

Thanks for this also interesting story. What organisation the Railways were capable of back

then! Today there would be untold chaos if such a train had to be run.

Back in 1958 we passed the circus train on its way up to Windhoek somewhere down south

in the middle of nowhere. There was a good animal odour emanating as we crawled past

the cages until we came to a halt right next door to the passenger coaches, all ancient,

battered looking balconies. I remember mutual fascination from both trains as we first of all

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stared at one another, then the banter followed, especially with the pretty girls aboard our

train.

A flurry of life in as isolated a part of the world as you'd find.

Pierre

Hi Pierre and all

I recall that in Les' brilliant book on Dining cars that some of the former observation

coaches had been used as part of the circus train for accommodation way back.

Sandstone also has a wagon that was used to convey Elephants. No doubt for the circus.

I agree that in those days it just shows how organized the SAR was. Nothing was too big or

small for the SAR.

Best regards

Carlos

Reading Rollo's Railways Africa yesterday! I was reminded over and over about how many

informed people had encouraged road freight back onto rail and of course, even the

government and Railways themselves. It began to sound like an old gramophone record

that had got stuck. But of course, as we have come to learn, general freight will probably

never again be carried by our railways simply because they are incapable of doing so.

There seems to be no will to do anything about it either. Of course, if the government had

applied BEE fairly and skills which were there or are there were utilized properly, we may

have seen things working better. But for a 'new' country starting afresh, we've hardly

covered ourselves in glory.

Regards,

Pierre

Hi Boet.

22

Thanks for this info. I knew I had seen the elephant truck before, I think it was at

Ficksburg, now they have moved it to Kommandonek, I think? Wonder if it still exists…

Cheers.

J & J.

• Circus train photo’s: HBH

Elephants by RMT & NG in the then SWA.

Country unknown – HBH’s archive

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Also see SAS-SAR 4/1962 p 351

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Boswell circus train @ White River by D Parsons in Hennie Heymans collection

Former elephant truck – Lady Brand (HBH)

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Photo received from Lourens Sturgeon; I

have no idea from where this photo

originates.

Circus train @ White River 1-9-1976 photo by Dave Parsons in Hennie Heymans-collection

PHOTO ESSAYS

• Linda Jansen van Rensburg [JVR Photo-Art]

Next month

PHOTO ESSAY: VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA: RAY ELLIS (AUSTRALIA):

HBH

No stranger to South Africa, we had the pleasure to meet and travel with Ray Ellis during his visit

to South Africa. As we visited some historic and interesting places in South Africa and we would

like to invite you to share with us our journey from Pretoria to Cape Town.

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Allow me a personal comment, I found Ray Ellis to be an expert on railway history in general and

he has a large library of railway related matters, not only of South Africa but of various railways in

the world. He is an extremely knowledgably fellow and pleasant railway history-companion.

• Friends of the Rail & Lt-Col Eric Samuels

In Pretoria we met with fellow ferro-equinologist, Eric Samuels. We had an enjoyable chat about the

history of the old SAR and about hospital- and armoured trains during the Anglo Boer War. Eric

invited us to visit the FotR.

Here are some photos taken during the visit to FotR at Hermanstad by HBH:

A trolley (make unknown) and two Wickham trolleys

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Iscor truck and two locomotives

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Coach 40092 with Bar Counter

4930

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Eric with his railway-hat and Ray looking on ...

15012

30

X-17 30-025-745

• 34-650 @ Hercules - Hermanstad

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Randfontein Estates Gold Mine: Garratt: GMAM

• Blue Train: 20 May 2013

We went by Gautrain to Marlboro where Jean Dulez picked us up and we went for lunch. While in

the Gautrain we saw the Blue Train being shunted at Pretoria Station:

The Blue Train being shunted

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The War Museum: Bloemfontein

• Agterryer

A memorial to the “Agterryers” – where British officers had batmen, the Boer farmer-soldier took

his agterryer along. The Boer did not have much of a commissariat, so he took his agterryer along to

help with the horses, collect water, firewood and cookery. Only rich Boers were like officers, they

had a ‘batman’ to help and to assist. Jan Ruiter was a famous agterryer in the service of Pres Steijn.

33

He saved the old President’s life by warning the President that the British were approaching. The

President fled in haste and Jan Ruiter told the British that the fleeing horseman was an “old Boer”.

• 7A 975: War Train

35

The old link & pin on the bell buffers – and the “new” knuckle type with a slit in to accommodate

the link and pin. (As a young boy, c 1956, I watched how shunters used the type on the right.)

36

On the “other” side the trucks sport the old red oxide colour ad their numbers.

7A 975 - the maker’s plate of class 7A 975 built in Glasgow during 1893 by Neilson & Co.

I smelt “horse” and behind the train, adding to the historical ambiance, were Bloemfontein’s police

horses:

37

• The Block House

38

• British Garrison Hospital

40

• British Graves: CWGC

Kimberley

• Brill Tram

41

• De Beers: Director’s Coach

42

Lammertjiesleegte

• Beaufort West’s forgotten railway

By chance we found this 24” diesel railway in Beaufort West. I was interested in the military

memorial nearby and while Ray took his smoke break and we discovered this railway – apparently

in disuse.

We found the begging amongst the local populace very disturbing. One can see that Beaufort West

is not thriving as it used to. The demise of the SAR in the town is a contributing factor. The sidings

are without trains.

Overt security is visible everywhere and hand in hand goes poverty...

44

Ray found the gate unlocked. Parts were missing

from the diesel engine. Stale smell of urine in the

shed.

45

We met the Municipal Official in the red T-shirt and

we explained the importance of heritage and tourism

to him. We asked him to see that the shed be locked.

Matjesfontein

Matjesfontein was brought to the fore by Jimmy Logan. Author Lawrence Green has written in his

works about this “railway” legend. His farm is known as Tweedside and the famous authoress,

Olive Schreiner (Story of an African Farm) also had a house here. Nearby, Matjesfontein, is the

grave of Gen Wauchope, all lonely at Memorials.

When we arrived in Matjesfontein there had been a rain storm and from Laingsburg to

Matjesfontein one can see that the Karoo has had received its first summer rains.

The town of Matjiesfontein originally owes its existence to the Cape Government Railways,

and to the route that their founder, Cape Prime Minister John Molteno, chose for a railway

line that would connect Cape Town's port to the diamond fields of Kimberley. The Royal

Commonwealth Society (1898) records that in a meeting with his consulting engineers, the

Prime Minister called for a map of Southern Africa to be brought to him and, taking a ruler,

drew his pen along it from Cape Town all the way inland. He then handed the map to the

engineers, telling them to build the railway accordingly.

The line rapidly extended inland, and a station was built at Matjiesfontein on 1 February

1878. At the time, Matjiesfontein was only a small depot and farm, however a Scotsman by

the name of James Douglas Logan, who was superintendent of this stretch of railway,

bought land at Matjiesfontein, moved there because of his weak chest, and opened a

refreshment station for the passing trains. This was so successful that the business soon

formed the nucleus of a growing village.

46

A town was laid out in the 1880s and purchased in 1968 to be preserved for its Victorian

charm. The name is derived from a type of sedge, Cyperus textilis, used by Khoekhoen to

make mats (matjies) employed in the construction of their huts.

The town was declared a National Monument on 12 September 1975, the railway station on

15 December 1989 and the cemetery on 23 September 1994.

The town of Matjiesfontein is located 27 km west of Laingsburg and 54 km east

of Touwsrivier. The surrounding Karoo region is a flat, sparsely populated semi-desert.

Matjiesfontein has a healthy climate for people with lung complaints, and was once home

to a Victorian spa and health resort2.

ABOUT MONUMENT CEMETERY, NEAR MATJIESFONTEIN

The historic Monument Cemetery lies 10km west of Matjiesfontein (towards Cape Town).

The cemetery is a popular stop for Anglo-Boer War enthusiasts and history buffs. The two

obelisks on the koppie encourage many other tourists to stop and explore. One was erected

2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matjiesfontein

47

in memory of George Maxwell Grant, killed in a rail accident, and the other is a British

Army memorial in honour of Major-General Andrew Wauchope, affectionately known as

"Red Mick." A hero of Scotland, he was killed at the Battle of Magersfontein, near

Kimberley, during the Anglo-Boer War. Wauchope’s grave in the cemetery below is

marked by a simple sandstone memorial erected by his wife Jean3.

The General’s memorial is visible from the Trans-Karoo. The late Boon Boonzaaier told me that

Jimmy Logan wrote to Mrs Wauchope and asked for the General to be buried at Matjesfontein. She

did not realise that Magersfontein and Matjesfontein were miles apart.

• The river in flood

3 http://www.thegreatkaroo.com/listing/monument_cemetery_near_matjiesfontein

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• Matjesfontein’s Class 7 987 and preserved coaches

Coach 8228 and a menu: “Special Train to Matjesfontein 1977-08-13”.

49

7 – 987 & Dining Car 216 “Caledon”

• “The Entertainer”: John Theunissen

50

Lord Milner

If you love trains, then we presume you will also love red double decker busses and red fire

engines:

51

• London Double Decker

Note: I always knew they spoke Afrikaans in London; see “Full/Vol” sign.

52

• Fire Engine

Meeting: Railway History Group

(Cape Town) On Saturday 26th of October 2013 Ray Ellis and your correspondent were most

privileged to attend a meeting of the RHG in Newlands (Nuweland) Cape Town (Kaapstad) at the

home of Ley Kempthorn.

What a pleasure to meet some of the members for the first time and to talk to all the members

present at the meeting. I took along my book “Locomotives of the South African Railways: A

Concise Guide” along to be signed by Leith Paxton.

To mark the occasion of Ray Ellis’ visit to South Africa yours truly presented him with a wooden

box containing several drinking glasses sandblasted with the various logos used by the old SAR

which appeared on the windows since 1910.

53

Lee Kempthorn and Wally Greig

Ray Ellis making a speech. Mr Goetz looking on ...

54

A laughing Ron Cunnynham and a smiling Wally Greig.

Mr Lionel Penning making his point, while Leith Paxton is thinking about it ...

55

The merry men of the RHG after the meeting and lunch sponsored graciously Ray Ellis.

Ley Kempthorn, an architect, is also an accomplished model builder.

56

• Cape Town Station 271023

59

• Atlantic Rail: Sunday 27 October 2013

60

Back: With cap no 3655 is Brett “Vuurhoutjie” Radlof, centre Ray Ellis and right is Stefan

Andrzejewski

Matt Raubenheimer, Ray Ellis & Stefan Andrzejewski

61

The view from the coach

62

Ray Ellis and Charlie Lewis (Soul of a Railway)

63

All photos were taken from the train – sometimes the train was moving!

64

The Brass Bell – My favourite Watering hole in Cape Town

65

Cape Fish-braai: Leon (Div) de Villiers

66

A former police colleague and Cape Town book dealer, Leon de Villiers, aka Div, entertained us to

a “fish braai” in Cape Town. Leon presented us with “braai-ed” Yellow Tail, fresh bread and bread

with grape jam and a fine butter sauce for the fish. On Monday we left for Pretoria ...

Photos were circulated in the public

domein over the internet. Cape Town

meeting and damage to railway property.

Scene near St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town Central

67

Ray and I had an enjoyable time in Cape Town and we were fortunate to miss the riots. We thank

all “rail fans” we met and we thank them for their friendliness, caring and sharing.

Filler: Former SA Police keeping an eye on commuters .... (Beeld)

68

From my archive:

• De Beers Coach (Via Paul Els)

69

• Diagram of the Class 7 (Espitalier)

Many years ago I bought a collection of railway photographs from former journalist and train lover,

Herman Snyman:

• Class 7 Bloemfontein War Museum

70

• Class 7: Matjesfontein

71

In the late 1980’s trains were staged at Matjesfontein in the open. Now they are coverd in a

“transport museum” and for a donation of R5-00 one can visit the cars and trains preserved in the

Matjesfontein (Private) Museum:

72

Photo: Schalk Burger?

73

Photo: Schalk Burger?

• Memorials near Matjesfontein

76

The place (halt) Memorials is visible from the window of your carriage when travelling by train. It

is a few miles south fom Matjesfontein. Gen Wauchope who died at Magersfontein during the

Anglo Boer War was buried at Memorials. I wonder if Jimmy Logan had a hand in the proverbial

pie. Capt Brake lived in Matjesfontein from 1939 to 1964. The author Olive Schreiner also lived at

Matjesfontein.

• I wonder in which house the old Captain lived. Does anybody know?

• Anglo-Boer War: Matjesfontein

A photo of British forces at Matjesfontein. Note windpump.

• Cricket at Matjesfontein

I seem to remember that there were one or two SAR carriages specially built to convey sportsmen /

cricketers between Cape Town and Matjesfontein for cricket matches. Did not the 1st cricket test

between “South Africa” and Britain take place at Matjesfontein?

Cape Town Station circa 1874

77

NATAL MAIN LINE

• Jacobus Marais

• Construction Train at Lion’s River

78

• Blue Train in Natal

81

• Rovos at Cedara

82

• Between Merrivale en Cedara

83

• 35-615 at Merrivale

Comment by HBH: Oupa and Ouma Heymans lived at Van Reenen while we lived in Durban. If

we went by car it was a very long journey. We had to stop for padkos. The main road was double as

far as 45th Cutting in Durban; thereafter it was a long winding road to the Free State and Transvaal.

I clearly remember this bridge at Merrivale as the “old main road” to the Transvaal and Free State

went under the rail ... Just think of it, during 1964 the road between Johannesburg and Durban

went via Volksrust and Standerton. Better roads led to the demise of the railways.... However it was

for us kids much better to go by train than by car ... My father could put me and my little btother on

the train from Durban to Van Reenen without any problems, it was an overnight trip. If I remember

correctly our coach left the train at Ladysmith for the Free State with ultimate destination

Bloemfontein.

84

• Shongololo Express

Johannes Marais also captured the Shongololo Express in the Natal Midlands:

• Rudi Venter

• 43-000 Class

86

43-006 diesel driver’s controls

87

Asst. seat and asst. View to front with hot plate

buttons.

Asst window with safety guards.

Aux meters facing asst Brake handles m43 class Driver switch panel for Headlights

Electric and engine control

panel with foldaway chair

Electric and engine control

panel with switches for

engine

Hotplate and aux meters- speed and

brakepressures

88

Power and reverse handles 43 class Ass controls with foldaway table-

89

Driver’s controls 43-class

• Mist and sunrise

91

Industrial Steam: KZN

• Sappi Saiccor Umkomaas: Lukas Potgieter

92

As jy spasie het kan jy van die fotos gebruik in jou Uloliwe. No 3 is na jare weer in gebruik

geneem die week. Heelwat onderhoud is gedoen en die loko lyk sommer splinter nuut.

Jammer oor die kwaliteit van die 'voor' fotos. Daar is nog altesame 3x 19Ds hier, in lopende

toestand

Groetnis

Lukas

Dag sê Hennie,

Sappi Saiccor Umkomaas hier op die Natalse Suidkus, tussen Amanzimtoti en Port

Shepstone. Die fabriek het 3 x 19Ds in diens, waarvan daar elke dag vir ongeveer ‘n maand

lank een werk en dan op rus gaan vir ‘n volgende een om oor te vat.

Die spesifieke een waarvan ek die fotos gestuur het was vir ‘n baie lang tyd nie in diens

nie, want sy wiele is oorgedoen, boiler-sertifikaat en dan die tender wat afgeskryf is.

Ek het die voorreg om in die omtrek te werk waar die lokos loop, van die fabriek na die

93

siding toe en terug, dag en nag vir vragte hout en steenkool!

Groetnis

Lukas

WESTERN CAPE

• Francois Mattheüs

Brackenfell 12 Nov 2013

94

14-108

97

36-023 - Brakenfell 19 Nov 2013

98

• Touws River: Willie Marais

• Klein Brak River: Tubby Myburgh

99

• Caledon: Piet van Staden

101

Caledon Sta & Locomotive Sand

102

TRANSVAAL

• Sentrarand: Hans Sturgeon

103

• 39-217 Lydenburg: Jan Thirion

• 20E: Jan Thirion

20E002 Pyramid 12:00 20131115

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EASTERN CAPE

• Noel Welch

Transnet Swartkops Diesel Depot: 18 Nov 2013

THE SALDANHA – SISHEN LINE

-

RHODESIAN RAILWAYS

-

Bloemfontein – Port Elizabeth

• Martin Nel

Rit van Bloemfontein na PE 15/11/2013: Ons was drie wat die rit onderneem het. Die

kaartjieskantoor was gesluit toe ons 'n uur voor die tyd opdaag, maar het na so 10 min

oopgemaak. Die voucher wat ek gehad het van Africa Sun Travel, het baie goed gewerk.

Bloemfonteinstasie is nog skoon, maar verwaarloos. Trein was optyd en het optyd vertrek

105

om 20h30. Rytuig was netjies skoon en so ook kompartement, toilette en stort. Het nie stort

gebruik, maar het dit getoets en alles het gewerk. Wat my verras het, was dat daar 'n

kragopwekker saamgery word en dus is daar 220V beskikbaar in elke kompartemet en

koepee. Twee kragproppe in kompartemet doen die ding. Daar was baie

sekuriteitspersoneel op trein. Die stasies waar ons gestop het, was skoon. Ons was egter

gou gou agtertyd. Ek kan nie glo dat goederetreine hoër prioriteit het as 'n passasierstrein

nie. Toe ons op Noupoort kom, was ons al 'n uur en 10 min agtertyd. Ek kon nie onthou dat

enige trein op 'n loop vir ons gestaan en wag het nie. Ons het die wagwerk gedoen. Ons het

'n uur en 40 minute laat in PE aangekom. Die ontbyt in die eetsaal was baie goed en nie

duur nie. Die "finess" van die ou SAS se Restourantbestuur makeer egter. Ons moes ons eie

beddegoed vat, maar dit het ons nie afgesit nie en die rit was baie lekker.

Rit van PE na Bloemfontein op 17/11/2013: Ons het om 15h00 vertrek uit PE uit. Dit het

omtrent gesous. Ons was om 14h00 op die stasie en is deurgelaat na die platform. Ek het

gestop om die lokomotief af te neem aangesien dit dieselfde een was waarmee ons die

vorige dag gekom het. Hy het die sleepwerk van Noupoort af gedoen. Toe bestorm 'n

sekuriteitswag my en vertel dat mens geen fotos mag neem. Hy het hom vererg toe ek vra

waar word dit aangedui. Ek reken 'n oranje KLas 7E is nog uiters geheim. Ek het hom toe

toegelaat om sy mag te voel en geloop met die kiekie op my kamera. Later het ek en

omtrent nog twaalf ouens die lokomotief gaan afneem nadat dit gekoppel het onder die oë

en "toesig" van omtrent 10 SAPD lede wat saam gery het. Ons het optyd vertrek, maar was

op Cradock al 'n uur agtertyd. Ons het baie stadig op plekke deur Boesmanspoortpas gery

en ook deur Olifantskoppas. Op Noupoort is twee Klas 34 -200's gehaak en hulle het

omtrent gesleep. Ek het nie geweet hulle werk deesdae in Bloemfontein nie. Ons moes om

04h30 in Bloemfontein aankom. Ek het gesien ons vertrek om 01h00 vanaf Springfontein,

maar het nie twee en twee bymekaar gesit nie. Toe ek wakker word, trek ons op platform 2

in om 03h00 en 'n hele uur en 'n half vroeg. Dit beteken die drywers het twee en 'n half ure

opgemaak van Cradock af. Gelukkig kan hy nie voortyd vertrek nie en ons het rustig

afgeklim na die aanvanklike skrik. Dit was lekker en ek sal dit weer doen.

106

34-432 ry deur Bloemfonteinstasie

108

Boesmansrivier

110

Funkey shunter in Swarkopswerf.

111

Klas 34-045 met Metrorail in PE

112

Mimosa & Kaptein

113

Net voor vertrek op Sondag 17112013

OMV1 op Alicedale

114

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL & RAILWAY HISTORY: RICHARD CLATWORTHY

• American Transcontinental Railroad (Part 3)

I don’t know to what extent significant anniversaries of the joining were celebrated in the early

decades, but a movement to ”restore” the site was started in 1920 and presumably when the tracks

were lifted some physical evidence remained. In 1948 SP staged a re-enactment with miniature

locomotives (no further details given). In 1957 an area of 7 acres taking in the meeting point was

declared a National Historic Site, and in 1965 the area was extended to 2,176 acres, with a road

included, under the control of the National Parks Service. 1969 was the Centenniel year and in 1967

a Centenniel Celebration Commission had been set up to plan the event.

For the occasion two historic steam locomotives were borrowed from the east and disguised as

Jupiter and 119. A Manhattan entrepeneur, Ross Rowland, set up the High Iron Company and

prepared a Nickel Plate Railroad locomotive, no. 759 of the “Berkshire” 2-8-4 wheel arrangement, to

115

haul a 14 coach train, the Golden Spike Centenniel Limited, from New York to Salt Lake City and

return. The full trip would last three weeks and 100 people paid $995 each for the full excursion,

plus others taking shorter rides. There were three Display cars as well as the passenger

accommodation and two restaurant cars. The train, in a light blue and gold livery, became known

as The Blue Train, and during the round trip would be hauled by 10 locomotives – 2 steam, 2

electric and 6 diesel. Among the latter was a new 6,600hp model built by the Electromotive

Division of General Motors incorporating two diesel engines and generators on a long body over

two 4-axle bogies (normally 2-or 3-axle). The prototype, built for Union Pacific, took the class

name Centenniel (I had known of the locomotive but never associated the name with the occasion).

41 were built for UP and SP but railroads figured that a lash-up of “normal” sized units was more

flexible (in wheelbase and operation) and the type was not developed further.

Anyway the train was a great success, attracting crowds at all of its numerous stops. The actor John

Wayne rode the train for the last day, into Salt Lake City for the premiere of his film True Grit, for

which he won an Oscar, on the night of Friday May 9th. The following day he completed his

journey to the site by helicopter, which I suppose in those days was more spectacular than it now is.

He was one of over 28,000 spectators to the re-enactment, which included the original precious

metal spikes.

(The success of this train led to the longer (26 car) Freedom Train which toured the United states in

1975-6 in celebration of the bicentenniel of America’s Independence from Britain.)

For re-enactments in 1970 to 1978 two vintage locomotives were borrowed from Nevada. The

National Parks Service then commissioned Chadwell O’Connor Engineering Laboratories of Costa

Mesa, California, to build exact full-size replicas of Jupiter and 119, and these two were dedicated at

the site on May 10th 1979. Initially these burned gas carried in tanks under the dummy wood or

coal in the tenders – in 1992 the fireboxes were converted to burn the fuel of the originals.

Since that time the Site is open from May to September each year with re-enactments on Saturdays

and public holidays, and around Christmas-New Year. A portion of the CP grade east of the

Summit constitutes The Big Fill Walking Trail, and west of the Summit is an auto trail along much

of the roadbed. In 1992 a further attempt was made to have track to the Summit Site reinstated but

it has obviously come to nothing.

In researching this, I came on a link to a 2012 study of the timbers of two trestles on the UP grade

east of the Summit. Downloading 43 MB took some time, but it is a meticulously detailed account

of the species, decay, damage and distortion of the timber making up two culvert-sized trestles (the

paper opens misleadingly with a photo of The Big Fill trestle but photos quickly show the true

status). However one has to scroll right to the end to discover the location, between The Big Fill

116

and Blue Creek. Interestingly, trestle #2 is a “replacement” for trestle #1, which means a new trestle

with the watercourse diverted under it while #1 remained in place. Google Earth shows them

plainly at 41-39-40/112-28-02 with the road laid along the grade diverted round them.

Another link discovered late is http://utahrails.net/articles/ambrose.php . This, “The Sins of

Stephen E. Ambrose”, is a review by C.J. Graves, E.T. Strobridge and C.N. Sweet of Ambrose’ book

“Nothing Like it in the World”, an account of the building of the transcontinental line. As can be

deduced from the review title it is critical – very! In due course I followed othe Ambrose links and

found that he has a flamboyant style which makes him a popular writer but not an accurate one. In

quoted extracts there are reversals of east and west in contexts where the error is obvious. The

work covers the entire story; in the section relevant to this narrative there are some interesting

points made in the reviewers’ dissection of his account. One significant exchange (book quotation

in italics) is:

"From April 1, 1868 to May 1869, Dodge, the Casements and their workers had laid 555 miles of road and

graded the line to Humboldt Wells." "Today people can still drive - cautiously - down from Promontory

eastward on the curving sections of the abandoned UP roadbed"

“The Casement brothers were track layers, that was their expertise. They did take a few grading

contracts, none of any consequence and none in Utah or Nevada. The Union Pacific used the

Mormon contractors to construct a parallel grade from Ogden to Monument Point in Utah, 148

miles from Humboldt Wells, and no further. The UP did not complete any grade west of

Monument Point in Utah. The Union Pacific authorized sending six teams with scrapers and some

of their Irish graders to Humboldt Wells, Nevada in September 1868. Beginning their grading at

Moors Summit, approximately eight miles east of the town of Wells, these crews prepared some of

the heavier work, consisting of large fills. After grading a distance of about four or five miles to

Holborn and beyond a short distance, they were pulled off and returned to Utah. The Union Pacific

parallel grading is disconnected and sporadic consisting of partially completed fills, rock and earth

cuts and associated barrow pits. These isolated areas of work are separated by stretches with no

grading present. These unused fills constructed for roadbeds by the Union Pacific Irish graders can

still be seen from the long abandoned original Central Pacific grade now used as a county access

road through the Pequop Mountains. Today one can still drive on much of the 90 miles of the

Central Pacific's original roadbed westward from Promontory.” [Parts of the eastward descent are

hiking trails not open to motor traffic.]

Reviewing the UP work east of Wells on Google Earth, commencing at Moor summit (1881m) at 41-

06-54/114-48-13. From this point eastward the present track is a SP relocation – the original CP

formation can be seen diverging southward and being joined by an unsurfaced road. However a

117

little way along there do seem to be two parallel formations snd there sre significant embankments

alongside on the north at 41-06-59/114-47-07 and 41-07-03/114-46-48, the latter diverging slightly

from the road (CP grade) and terminating with no graded continuation. The railroads then curve

northward until the CP formation swings eastward again, and there are uncertain traces alongside.

Then at 41-09-10/114-48-55 a second formation diverges slightly northward until it ends at a dry

watercourse, alongside which there is a crossroad site suggeting the site of the first Holborn (there

is a siding of that name on the present track) at 41-09-30/114-43-14. There is only one apparent

crossing of the valley to this point, where the road diverges north-eastward from the CP grade,

which continues east. 1,5km along, 120m to the south is a prominent square-ended commencement

or termination of formation at 41-09-20/114-42-20. This heads eastward, curving north to converge

with the CP formation, crossing it and the two continuing northward alongside. The western (UP?)

grade has a prominent cut of fill at 41-10-21/114-41-00, after which it appears to recross the CP

grade. This latter continues northward to reconverge with the road and then the later railroad,

there may be traces of grade to the east of it but I feel these are wishful thinking. This work east of

Holborn is all remote from the road and anyone exploring by car/automobile would miss it unless

made aware by aerial view.

The crossing of the two formations conforms to one report of a complaint by the CP foreman that

the UP had laid grade infringing on and crossing their grade, for which I cannot find any likely site

in the Promontory region. Why the gang was sent there is a puzzle, other than possibly to back a

fraudulent claim that the UP was further advanced than it was. It was synchronous with CP

getting authority to work to Echo so it may have been a retaliatory move. How the gang reached

the site, and returned eastward, would be a good story in itself (it was only in early 1869 that the

CP laid track through here).

Another relevant extract:

"But just as the CP had to abandon grade it had made from the summit to Ogden (but it did use the Big Fill,

ignored by the UP), so did the UP have to abandon everything west of Ogden, all the way to Humboldt Wells,

222 miles from Ogden…Congress had watched as more than two hundred miles of the overlapping grade-

work was being done. Not until April 10, 1869, did it step in to halt this."

“The CP did abandon their parallel grade east of Promontory and on April 14th stopped all grading

east of Blue Creek, the eastern base of the Promontory. The UP did not "abandon" their grade from

Promontory to the agreed upon terminus within a few miles west of Ogden; it sold the grade to the

Central Pacific and was paid in full for their costs of construction. The UP did abandon their

parallel grade west of Promontory to Humboldt Wells in Nevada which amounted to no more than

a total of 19 miles.(sixteen miles from Promontory at MP 690 to Monument Point at MP 674 and the

118

sporadic grading over the five total miles east of Humboldt Wells that they had long before stopped

work on.) The Central Pacific, by agreement, paid the Union Pacific one half the cost of the

abandoned grading between Promontory and Monument Point so the UP had little loss in this

abandoned grading.

The Big Fill "ignored by the UP" was not used by the Central Pacific until several years after the

completion of the Pacific Railroad when they built a four mile line change in 1872 which then

eliminated the "High Trestle" and moved the track onto the "Big Fill".”

Here I question the reviewers – other sources indicate that CP switched to the embankments in 1870

and I am sure they would have done so as early as they could.

Google Earth shows that Blue Creek is the watercourse along the western boundary of the Thiokol

plant, alongside which the UP grade runs and any CP workings would be under the parallel road

#83. This allows me to say that the total length of duplicated formation, from Monument Point to

Blue Creek, was about thirty miles.

Another surprising claim by the reviewers:

Paragraph 4:"A day or two later when the grades were only a few yards apart the Chinese set off an

unannounced explosion on the Irish, several of whom were buried alive"

“There is no evidence that the Chinese did any grading "on the rocky eastern slope of the

Promontory Mountains" and the stories that there had been fights and blasting alongside the UP

and CP's parallel grading between these crews has long been accepted as fiction by most railroad

historians. Klein in his history of the Union Pacific, 1862-1893, page 218 says, "The tales of violence

between them seemed to have originated in the imaginations of later writers."

[Further on:] The contract for the grading from Monument Point to Ogden was granted to Benson,

Farr & West, Mormon contractors. The Mormons never employed any Chinese and there has been

no evidence found that the Central Pacific employed Chinese to work either with or for the

Mormons.”

Another good story busted?! The account of reciprocal blasting of rival cuttings appears to have

originated in General Dodge’s memoir, but I find it hard to believe that it is all a deliberate,

fraudulent fabrication, with no basis in fact. I just wonder whether these incidents may have taken

place on the section where UP sent a gang far ahead to near Wells, and may have been the reason

for the abandonment of that project, probably surreptitious and now threatened with publicity.

One indisputable fact is that it is on the eastern descent that a natural rock arch has been named

Chinaman’s Arch, later modified to Chinese Arch (political correctness?!).

119

I have had it suggested to me that a newspaper engraving of the time, depicting “Work on the last

mile of the Pacific Railroad”, showing frenetic activity in a cutting with workmen and a mule-cart

in the bottom, more men on the bank-top and boulders showering down, may have either been

misconstrued as conflict or provided some fertile imagination with the inspiration for a spectacular

fabrication. It may be so.

Mention of the Mormons introduces another issue: both companies had courted Brigham Young,

the Mormon leader, and he had recognised that this invasion of the territory by alien, often

Godless, men would be worthwhile for the sake of transport and communication facilities in the

future, and immediate employment opportunities for his people. Both companies recruited

Mormon workers, so it is probable that “rival” Mormon gangs worked alongside on the eastern

slope. It has been sugested that Brigham Young undersold his people – he should have held out for

higher wages.

To do some summing up: (Humbolt) Wells was 222 miles from Ogden, the abortive UP grading

was 8 miles from the former, so the far end of it was about 214 miles from Ogden. East of Ogden,

the CP had applied for authority to build to Echo, about 40 miles, but had not followed it up.These

distances combine to give the 250 miles that some sources claim as the distance of overlapping

grade. In fact it was less than one eighth of that, about 30 miles. The statement also made that no

parallel track was laid is incorrect – there would have been a bit over 4 miles duplicated from just

east of the Summit to a bit east of the Big Fill while the CP prepared to switch from trestles.

A few paragraphs about Salt Lake City: in January 1870 it had been linked to Ogden and the

transcontinental line by the Utah Central Railroad. In 1883 a 3ft. gauge line of the Denver and Rio

Grande Western (DRGW) system reached Salt Lake City providing a more direct route to Denver

than via Ogden and Cheyenne, and in 1901 this line was widened to standard gauge. The DRGW

then financed another company, the Western Pacific (the second Western Pacific, a previous WP

had been started in 1865. later giving Sacramento its first rail access to San Francisco Bay, before

being bought out by The Big Four in 1870). The new WP headed westward out of Salt Lake City

south of the Lake and westward oacross the basin, to converge with the SP line at Wells. From

there to Winnemuca, Nevada it parallelled the SP track, and in later years the two companies co-

operated by using their tracks as a unidirectional double track system.

While this trackage was being laid, in 1905 the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railway linked the two

cities via Barstow and Las Vegas.

From Winnemuca the WP diverged from the SP and made its way through the Sierra Nevada via

the Feather River Canyon to Sacramento, with a summit altitude of 1,530m instead of the Donner

Pass’ 2,144m. This gave Salt Lake City a direct service to San Francisco Bay.

120

In 1949 the WP, DRGW and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (lovely name!)

introduced The California Zephyr between the Bay and Chicago via the Feather River, Salt Lake City,

and Denver, in competition with the SP-UP City of San Francisco via the Donner Pass, Ogden,

Cheyenne and Omaha to Chicago. These trains continued until the 1970s, when the railroads lost

interest in passenger traffic. In 1983 Amtrak re-introduced the California Zephyr along its former

route except for Donner Pass instead of Feather River. However at Salt Lake City the imposing

buildings of the former Union Pacific and Rio Grande stations are now used for other purposes,

and the Amtrak station is a large Portakabin with rows of cinema-style seats. The westbound and

eastbound services pass through at midnight and in the small hours respectively, so late running

can mean an uncomfortable night for waiting passengers.

In 1983 the DRGW merged with the Southern Pacific. In 1988 the WP was acqired by UP and in

1996 the Union Pacific took over the Southern Pacific, thus attaining control of the direct route from

San Francisco Bay via Sacramento, either the Donner Pass or Feather River, Nevada, the Lucin Cut-

off, Ogden, Cheyenne, Columbus NE, Omaha, Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids and Clinton to Chicago

which, with continuation eastward, is probably now the premier Transcontinental railroad.

Durant can rest happy in his grave!

Railway History

• Cape Government Railways

The date is 1889; a motionless Class 03 near Cape Town. It looks like it has a shiney copper dome.

(Heymans Col)

121

• Natal Government Railways

• NZASM: Celebration 1895: Opening of the Eastern Line

Naand sê

Hiermee foto’s wat ek raakgelees het ... Werklik ‘n besondere versamelstuk sou ek sê.

Wonder of iemand al so stuk gesien het?

Groetnis

Robbie Green

122

• OVSS: Viljoensdrift Ray Ellis

Hi Hennie,

Hope you are well. Thanks for the latest Uloliwe too!! Hope the police book is going ok,

this will be a slight diversion from that – TRAINS!!

I came across the attached photo in the David Rhind files on the disc that Wally sent me. I

am trying to work out what the writing isand what it says. It appears it was taken at

Viljoensdrift when the OFS and NZASM were linked up. I cane just read that the engine is

carrying the OFS and ZAR flags.

123

Do you have the original photo? And if so, can you send be a “better” scan !! And also tell

me what the writing is?? Maybe it would make a nice paragraph for Uloliwe !!

Cheers

• Trains from the Anglo-Boer War: 1899 - 1902: Johan Jacobs

Courtesy: The Anglo-Boer War (South African War) -1899-1902 Facebook page

Compiled by Johan Jacobs

124

Wagons been loaded at Pretoria station Armoured train at a siding

Gun been loaded at Durban harbour for Ladysmith Railway yard at Pretoria station

125

Pretoria station-note the Victoria Hotel at the

background

Boer prisoners been offloaded at Pretoria

station

RAILWAY ART

-

RAILWAYANA

-

RAIL IMMIGRANTS: MEL TURNER & QT

• Kenya orders rebuilt B23-7 from NRE

Hennie,

Below was posted on US Yahoo Group LocoNotes on 01/11/2013:

“NRE has announced that it will be overhauling 20 B23-7 locomotives for Kenya. Silvis has

begun work and the other three shops (Mt. Vernon, Dixmoor and Paducah) will be

assisting with this order. The units will have heavily modified fuel tanks (shortened to

accommodate the larger trucks) and converted to six wheel trucks. The 20 include:

BNSF 4200, 4203, 4205, 4209, 4210, 4214, 4216, 4220, 4226, 4236, 4238, 4248, 4254, 4256, 4261,

4262, 4271.

NS 4030, 4083.

MNNR 40.

Subject to change.

EOM”

Cassagrande, a Chilean re-builder, in the southern Santiago suburb of Chena converted 2

similar units to C-C for Ferroviaria Oriental (Bolivia) in 2011/12 (coincidently numbered

EFO 2011/2012)

Four similar conversions were done by a Mexican shop in 2008 (to 3’ gauge) for coal haul in

Colombia. A cut corner “el cheapo” exercise, locos were not successful, and all four were

cut up in May 2013. However the Mexican spec sheet will be a guide to weights for the

Kenyans http://ferroviasg12.tripod.com/

126

The Mexicans got the weight down to 200,000 lbs (say around 91 tonnes), so NREC

probably have a bit of leeway with the weight, as Kenya’s U26C are in the 96/97.5 tonne

range.

RVR must consider that reconditioned US tired iron will prove to be more cost effective in

the long run. The other factor in the B23-7’s favour, is that the mechanicals/electrics will be

almost identical to the existing fleet of U26C, so little staff retraining will be required.

Purchase decision probably influenced by the performance of the 8 NREC 2006 built

E3000CUN for Magadi Soda, which are basically reconditioned GP/SD40

mechanicals/electrics in a new frame.

Photos furnished by Mel Turner.

SA METRO RAIL

127

• Gauteng

Cape Metropole

• Cape Town: HBH

Note: Livery

Cape Town – Malmesbury

-

Durban

-

128

East London

-

Port Elizabeth

• PE – Uitenhage: JvR Photo-art

129

GAUTRAIN

Both sides of the Gautrain Card.

Gautrain News: Compiled by Johan Jacobs

Gautrain Photo Competition: Capture, Share, Win and Grow with Gautrain.

Expansion Plans:

130

The Gautrain Management Agency announced expansion plans for the rail system which

will eventually see it extend to Boksburg and Soweto. The investment opportunities are

already being explored with regards to this plan. Joining ABN to discuss this is Jack van

der Merwe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency and Geoff Blount from Cannon

Asset Management.

Jack van der Merwe

TRAC SA joins Gautrain’s Maths and Science on the Move:

TRAC SA laboratory at Sci-Bono

The Gautrain Project is a flagship transport project in the Gauteng Province and has

contributed to the creation of many opportunities during its inception. Gautrain’s funding

131

partnership with TRAC demonstrates the project’s social investment commitment towards

future investments, skills development, job creation and socio-economic growth. TRAC SA

facilitates a laboratory at Sci-Bono in Johannesburg and another laboratory at Sci-Enza in

Pretoria. Schools that are under-resourced have the opportunity to take their learners to

these well-equipped laboratories where they can carry out practical, experiential learning

experiments.

TRAC SA also offers school support, extra tuition and career guidance for grade 9 to 12

pupils. The centre is committed to improving learner’s results in Maths, Science and

Technology and offers a range of programmes, workshops and training to support teachers

both in the classrooms and at the centre’s facilities. Parents also get the opportunity of

being more involved in their child’s education and love for Maths and Science through the

“Birthday Party Initiative” which is organised by the centre.

This is an educational outing organised by the centre includes:

Guided tour of the centre

15 Minute science show

Dedicated party co-ordinator

Free science gift for the birthday child

2hours in the birthday party venue

free entrance to the centre for all the party guest (50 people maximum)

Please note the party venue is restricted to a maximum of 50 people, alternative venues in

the centre can be organised for an additional charge. For South Africa to be globally

competitive it is important to invest in the future, by encouraging children to be technology

smart and have a love for maths and science.

Photo Competition:

Berdene Du Toit won herself R1000 Gautrain Gold Card by entering the "Grow With Public

Transport" photo competition with her photo: "Communities grow with public transport"

We loved the creative angle and motion within the image. The movement of people

captures the essence of community growth underpinned with Gautrain in the background.

Truly inspiring!

132

Berdene’s photo:

RAILWAY PEOPLE – SPOORWEGMENSE

• 1918: SA Railways Police & SAP Touws River

133

From left to right: Const SA Fourie, Railway Const Humby, Lce-Cpl JL Beams and Railway

Const Urquart all from Touws River, District Worcester.

PREVIOUS ISSUES OF ULOLIWE

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

RAIL HUMOUR

• Caledon: Piet van Staaden

I heard a rumour of a steam loco at Caledon. I tracked it down and took some

pictures but unfortunately I cannot identify it. John, can you maybe help?

Regards

Piet

134

Hahaha - funny!

I had the same happen to me a couple of weeks ago.

A friend of mine said he wanted to show me a steam loco in Welkom??

When I got there it was a kiddies train made of drums and wheel barrow

wheels!! Well it was a steam loco...

Cheers.

Jacque

BOOK SHELF

• South African Steam ... two new books published (and an apology): Dennis

Moore

Hello everybody,

Two new books to announce, but first an apology / word of explanation.

It has been about 8 months since anyone has heard from me and my promised schedule of book releases has not

been maintained. Unfortunately, I had to undergo major back surgery early in the year, and it has been a long

and painful road to recovery. Still on it, actually, but getting there. To all those people who sent enquiries

about what was happening re. book production and my state of health, I think each of you has received a reply

by now, but I thank you once again, anyhow.

135

So, first things first:

AVAILABLE NOW

Firstly, " South Africa's last steam worked secondary main line".

A really thick book, 240 pages in standard landscape size (25cm by 20cm) and with a few

exceptions, all colour. Hardback, with dust jacket. This version has the picture of the Class 26 3450

in close up on the cover.

This book focuses on the Bloemfontein - Kimberley line, which remained regularly steam worked

until early 1990. It was often overlooked by enthusiasts, many of whom tended to gravitate towards

the Kimberley - De Aar and Bloemfontein - Bethlehem lines. However, its west - east orientation

offered the opportunity of stunning lighting effects. Whilst 25NC 4-8-4s dominated, of course, this

book features no less than ten different classes of S.A.R. steam at work on the line.

It was a great line, with huge locomotives, often heavy trains and fast running between the widely

spaced crossing places. This photographic tribute is a result of more than 40 visits to the line (in

'real steam days, plus other visits thereafter), in all seasons, although - naturally - winter

predominates. Coverage is of the final 8 years until regular steam finished. 3/4 of the content covers

'real steam days' , and the final part offers good coverage of the passenger, freight and mixed trains,

that operated from time to time, thereafter (until 2001). Thorough lineside content forms the bulk of

the book, but significant coverage extends to the stations and sheds at Kimberley and Bloemfontein,

especially the latter. As with all my books , an introductory text, a schematic map, locomotive

technical information and often extended captions with historical references and anecdotal

information ........... all included.

But don't take my word for it, ....... as with all my books, full and free previews of the entire book

are readily available. If you decide to buy a book (or 2!) that's great, and encourages me to

continue, but if you only ever intend flicking through the book on your computer screen, that's fine

136

with me too. Simply go to www.blurb.com and enter Dennis Moore steam in the search

engine, click on the book title that interests you (there are sixteen available), and take it from there.

The site is guaranteed secure and Blurb are truly first rate in all respects. Any enquiries, simply e

mail me at [email protected] or phone me at

+27 (0) 11 764 5425. The book is produced in a format that makes it an affordable proposition.

To go directly to this book, visit www.blurb.com/b/4681329

Secondly, ALSO AVAILABLE NOW " Bloemfontein to Kimberley ".

For the really keen ! A gigantic book, 378 pages , in very large landscape size (33cm by 28cm). More

than half the number of pages again, and almost twice the paper area of the standard landscape

variant (with a different title) referred to above. Hardback, with dust jacket. This version has the

picture of a double headed train in action, an evening glint of the Class 26 and the Condenser on

the cover. At the outset it must be stressed that the content incorporates all that found in the first

book mentioned above, but much else besides. It has been produced for those people who can't get

enough of this line, .... like the Author.

However, a print on demand book of this physical size and number of pages is unavoidably

expensive. In all honesty the other book mentioned above should provide ample coverage for any

steam fan, but if you are a fanatic, well ... then this is available

As with the first book, a full and free preview is available. To go directly to this book, visit

www.blurb.com/b/4682042

The attachments are of the two new book covers. (All other covers can be accessed by the web site)

Thanks for your time.

Regards

137

Dennis Moore

LEGAL AFRICA

http://www.jklsafrica.com/

RAILWAY HISTORY GROUP: WALLY GREIG

-

RMIG: L PENNING

-

138

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

• Johannes Botha

Our historic SAA-flight captured by Johannes Botha

RAILWAY MODELING

Large Models “G Scale” built by Lourens Sturgeon

• “G” Scale: 19E

139

• “G” Scale: 15E

• “G” Scale: SCL-18 Car Carrier

• HO Scale: 7E

140

A nice Train Set: Koos Kotze

http://videos.komando.com/watch/4366/viral-videos-the-most-impressive-model-train-set-

ever?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=tvkim&utm_content=2013-11-04-article-title-e

NEWS

• Class 20E on Wikipedia

Our railways have taken possession of the Class 20Electric locomotive. See Col A Kritzinger’s entry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Class_20E

141

• Class 20E: Phil du Plessis

142

PRESS RELEASE

• Indian train station lays claim to world's longest platform: It measures

almost a mile long

The 1366-metre long platform at Gorakhpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh is the world's

longest, according to Indian railway officials. New platform - unveiled on Monday

following some remodelling work - can accommodate two 26 carriage trains at the same

time. Britain's longest at Cheriton Shuttle Terminal, Folkestone is fourth on the list of the

longest rail platforms in the world, measuring 791-metres

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 16:55 GMT, 11 October 2013 | UPDATED: 17:06 GMT, 11 October 2013

Try racing for a seat on this one - a suburban train station in northern India has laid claim

to a railway platform measuring a staggering 1366-metres. The new platform - unveiled on

Monday following some remodelling work - can accommodate two 26 carriage trains at the

same time. Gorakhpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh is claiming it as the world's longest,

according to Indian railway officials.

143

A suburban station in northern India has laid claim to owning the world's longest platform

- measuring a staggering 366-metres, according to the country's railway officials.

It has already been recognised by the Limca Book of Records, which recognises Indian

achievements, and officials at Guinness have been notified so they can verify it as the

world's longest.

Once confirmed, Gorakhpur railway station will supersede another Indian platform in the

West Bengal town of Kharagpur, which earlier held the record at 1072-metres.

Gorakhpur railway station in Uttar Pradesh, India - claiming to have the world's longest

railway platform

Travellers gather on Gorakhpur, railway platform - at 1366-metres, claiming to be the

world's longest

Senior Railway department official, Mr KK Atal, said: 'I congratulate the people of

Gorakhpur on obtaining the privilege of the world's longest railway platform.'

144

Other than West Bengal's Kharagpur, the only other rail platform rivalling Gorakhpur is

State Street Centre subway station in Chicago, which measures 1067-metres. It is the

longest in the United States.

Cheriton Shuttle Terminal, Folkestone - Britain's longest - is fifth on the list of longest rail

platforms in the world, measuring 791-metres.

Gorakhpur station is a busy hub for foreign and local tourists who visit Gorakhpur, which

is home to several historic Buddhist sites. Gorakhpur is named after ascetic Guru

Gorakshnath, who popularised many forms of yoga.

An unveiling ceremony for the new railway platform in Gorakhpur, India, which is

claiming to be the world's longest

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2454623/Indian-train-platform-lays-

145

claim-worlds-longest--staggering-4-482ft.html#ixzz2hUNHg1mP

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

THE RAILWAY MARKET PLACE

• Loco Badges: Andries Meiring

Andries Meiring <[email protected]>

Jy kies jou lokomotief se nommer en kleure buite om en binne en die rante is silver of goud

kleurig. Tans R80.00 stuk + R30.00 posgeld. Oom Hennie vertaal dit maar verbeter en in

Engels plaas. DANKIE

Andries Meiring writes he makes badges. You choose the number of the locomotive and

the colours, the edges are silver or in a gold colour. Price was R80.00 each + R30.00 postage

146

• Tray: J & J Wepener

Hi Hennie,

Bygaande foto’s verwys:-

‘n Persoon in Welkom het die gemaak, maak ook 2 x hout wynbottel drahouers asook enige

iets op bestelling. Al sy werk word met die hand gemaak en alle tekeninge ook per hand

opgeverf, niks word in massa geproduseer nie. Sal binne kort die wynhouers kom wys

tesame met pryse. Ons gedink jy miskien dit in Gazzette kan wys dan kan manne met

vervaardiger kontak maak of jy self.Hy gaan ook iets met ROVOS Rail se Dar-es-Salaam rit

op ‘n skinkbord doen. Groete, John en Jacque.

147

RAIL HUMOUR

-

PANDORA’S BOX

-

RAILWAY ARCHEOLOGY

• NZASM

Hi Jacque,

Pass on. In 2dayStar-they are to build a new railway museum in Newtown-Jhbg. You can

contact the journalist [email protected]. The project "2 renovate the old 1895 railway

structure which used 2 house Jhbg's railway museum". Transnet spokesperson Mike

Asefovitz of Transnet Freight Services said Transnet was doing a prefeasibility study.

Peter.

148

Hi guys.

Received this from my dad’s boet.

Cheers.

Jacque.

Hi Jacque,

I received a copy of Anna Cox's article that appeared in the Star newspaper - November 11,

2013. There were a couple of technical/historical errors in the piece and I will be writing to

her to offer corrections.

Cheers

Les Pivnic

Comments by HBH:

The other day I had to visit Johannesburg for a shoot. My driver went over the Nelson

Mandela Bridge; it was my first time over the bridge. The old NZASM-structure is visible

to the west of the bridge. It is the first time I have seen the structure. Did not have my

camera with me.

• Where have all the SAR locos gone? Gert Jubileus

To 'Jacque'

Hi My Stoker

Upset die jou nie? Heng mens kan nie glo nie. Dis nie my foto’s nie, ek het die op flicker

gekry maar van diè is daar verseker niks oor nie.

149

I could not trace these photographs or the photographer. Does anybody know th

photographer?

150

Good day All,

Is this not the SAR's strategic reserve of steam locomotives?

I remember working in the Secretariate of the State Security Council and there was 'talk'

those days (1980's) of strategic reserve of steam loco's - in case of total Fuel Embargoes

against the RSA? (Do I remember correctly - we got our oil from Iran ...?)

Greetings,

HBH

J Wepener

Hi Hennie.

Yes, it WAS the strategic reserve…

Cheers.

J & J Wepener.

• Caledon

153

RAILWAY HISTORY

• Soul of a Railway: C Lewis

The section from Assegaaibos to Joubertina is now available for perusal. As usual we value

your comments and, especially, your corrections and criticisms.

https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1/part-5---assegaaibos---

joubertina

Please adjust your image if necessary, the photos are not meant to be displayed wider than

25cm. After that they get increasingly fuzzy.

With thanks,

Charlie Lewis

• IMR: Ticket

Steve Seargent (Scotland) sent a copy of the following IMR ticket:

154

• Largest Doorknob in the World? Dave Jehan (Australia)

Hennie,

David has been a good and dear friend for a number of years, and mentioned this when I

spoke to him on the phone last night to advise him of my return from the darkest depths of

Africa. I thought it might be a good entry in “Uloliwe” !!!

Cheers,

Ray

Ray,

Story and photo as requested :-

I was wandering along Oxford Street in Sydney on my way up to a book shop I wanted to

visit when I passed the "Southern African Cafe". The thing that caught my eye was that a

genuine South African Railways electric loco-cab plate (solid brass) off locomotive E839

was bolted to the front door.

I thought this would surely have to be the biggest door knob in the world!

Regards

Dave Jehan

155

MAIL BAG

• Vested Interests of Railwaymen: Pensions: Adv Anton Alberts

Boodskap aan Pensioenarisse (J & J Wepener)

Beste Pensioenaris,

Ek kan die aangename nuus meedeel dat al die partye verlede Vrydag geantwoord het op

die hofaansoek, soos bepaal in terme van die suksesvolle hofbevel van 18 Oktober 2013. Die

partye wat geantwoord het was Transnet, die minister van openbare ondernemings en die

twee pensioenfondse.

Die advokate het nou 10 werksdae (2 weke) om weer daarop te reageer, soos nodig. Daarna

sal die advokate 'n hofdatum vir vroeg volgende jaar aanvra vir die eerste been van die

hofsaak, naamlik die sertifisering van al die pensioenarisse as 'n groep of klas wat skade

kan eis van Transnet. Advokaat Kellerman het aangedui dat hy sal probeer om 'n hofdatum

te reserveer vir vroeg volgende jaar.

Die wiele rol dus en ek glo en hoop ons sal volgende jaar geregtigheid sien gebeur.

156

Ek berig later weer wanneer ek terugvoering van die advokate ontvang.

Seënwense

Dear Pensioner,

I can announce the good news that all the parties responded last Friday to the court

application, as was required in terms of the successful court order of 18 October 2013. The

parties that responded were Transnet, the minister of public enterprises and the two

pension funds.

The advocates now have 10 work days (2 weeks) to respond, if so needed. Thereafter the

advocates will request a court date for early next year to attend to the first leg of the court

case, namely the certification of all the pensioners as a group or class that can claim

damages from Transnet. Advocate Kellerman indicated that he shall try to reserve a court

date for early next year.

The wheels are thus turning and I believe and hope that we shall see justice next year.

I will provide further feedback once I receive information from the advocates.

Best wishes

Adv A Alberts

• Last month: Mike Spilsbury

Hennie,

Ek is Mike Spilsbury van Sasolburg.

My vriend Biebie van Harrismith het vir my jou nommer gegee en gevra dat ek vir jou kan vra oor

die geskiedenis van die spoorlyn en ook die van die Durbanse hawe. Ek is ook besig om van "my"

mense se geskiedenis te versamel. Dit is nogal moeilik soos ek glo jy sal weet. My groot oupa

grootjie Henry het in Durban aangekom toe daar nog feitlik niks daar was behalwe 6 sooi huise.

Die oupa Henry het 'n besigheid daar in Durban begin om ossewaens te bou en

verkoop en hy het ook transport na die binneland gedoen. (Tot op

Harrismith.) Ek verstaan hy het ook iets te doen gehad met die spoorlyn se

ontstaan. Dit wil ek ook graag wil weet of dit waar is.

157

Daar is 'n kaai (wharf) wat sy seun Wilson gemaak het wat vandag nog na hom vernoem is. Ek wil

baie graag meer daarvan wil weet as jy my dalk sal kan help met enige inligting. Ek sal enige

inligting oor "my" voorouers se doen en late wil kry as jy dalk iets van hulle het. Ek sal dit

waardeer.

Groete.

Mike.

An answer for Mike

• Mike Spilsbury - Martin Knoetze

Hi Hennie

Baie interessante tydskrif oor die SAR wat jy publiseer. Ek moet sę dankie vir al die werk

want dit moet geweldig baie tyd vat. Ek het 2 items wat ek oor wil "vra":

1. Ek blaai deur jou Oktober 2013 weergawe van Uloliwe en sien in die mail bag van Mike

Spilsbury van Sasolburg wat meer wil weet oor ene Henry wat in Durban aangekom het

baie jare gelede. Dit klink na my Oupagrootjie wat hy na verwys en hy kan enige tyd met

my kontak maak. Dalk verwys ons na dieselfde persoon? Hy kan my kontak by

epos:[email protected]

2. Weet jy dalk, of kan jy dalk asseblief in jou mail bag vir my 'n navraag plaas. Ek wil

graag weet waar ek die planne kan kry van Pretoria stasie - net die planne van die

oorspronklike stasie gebou. As deel van my model trein uitleg wat ek beplan wil ek onder

andere Pretoria stasie van lank gelede modelleer, dus die gebou ook. Ander goed soos hoe

die spore uitgelę is kan ek op Google Earth kry.

Baie dankie

• Cape Town Station Time Tables

Hi Hennie.

In die nuutste uitgawe is daar ‘n foto van Kaapstad se passasierstreintydtafels of die

stasie. Die foto is bietjie swak – maar ek lees iets van ’n “special en Klawer”??

158

Kan jy help!

Dankie.

J & J Wepener

• 15F - 3026

Hi my ou Stoker,

Jy kan nie dalk uitvind die geskiedenis van 3026 nie. Ek weet haar laaste jare was in

Kroonstad maar waar sy was voor dit? Miskien ‘n Germiston loko?

Niemand op die internet het ‘n foto van haar nie. Was sy dalk ’n stad se prestige loco en so

aan?

Ek sal dit so waardeer as iemand iets het van haar. Sy was n baie sterk loko gewees en baie

goed gestoom.

Groete,

Jou drywer,

Gert Jubilieus.

Hi guys.

Can anyone assist Gert??

Thanks.

Jacque.

Hi Jacque,

15F 3026 was stationed at Cradock from at least 1958 to 1967 and by 1977 was stationed at

Kroonstad. My records don't go beyond 1977 - sorry!

I also checked my negative catalogues and while there are many 15Fs photographed,

nothing is recorded of 3026.

159

Jammer hoor!

Les

Les,

You should indeed say sorry ! You let us down. I would expect you to know who the

driver was of 3026 on any particular day.

It has most likely been said many times by many people, but if I may I just want say the

following:

Les, you are an amazing person in the wealth of knowledge you have on matters SAR,

based on memory and record keeping. But to crown it all you always enthusiastically share

your unrivalled knowledge with anybody and everybody. I am truly sorry that I never had

the honour of meeting you personally.

Regards

Piet

I second that!!

I had the pleasure to meet Les back in the 80's in JHB before I went to Durban and fully

agree with what Piet has just said.

Three cheers for Les!!

May I add that if I had the opportunity I would be extremely happy meeting all of you

around a braai, having a beer or two and talking trains. That would be a day to remember.

Best regards

Carlos Vieira

Morning Gents,

160

Piet, thanks for your kind words! My willingness to help with information is nothing

special - coming from the old SA Railway Museum in Johannesburg, we were pleased to

provide answers (where possible) to all queries received.

Carlos and Jacque - thank you too!

Piet, I would also have loved to have met you and other people that I only know by name.

A braai with all you okes and a couple of Windhoek lagers would be lekker!

Ja, unfortunately, politics and especially crime drove our family out of South Africa several

years ago and my wife Carol and I decided to follow them to Australia so that we could be

with our grandchildren! We miss our old Country but NOT the NEW South Africa!

I always loved the Free State "vlaktes" - the flat-topped koppies in the Karoo - the

Outeniqua Mountains - the rolling green hills of the Natal Midlands - Wilderness Beach -

ou Tafelberg - that is what we miss!

Ending on a pleasant note - I'm always happy to help with info when I can!

Cheers

Les

• Dr NC Lamprecht: Durban

Hennie,

Ek glo hierdie massiewe Duiste miniatuur uitbeelding van bewegende treine, skepe in selfs

'n werkende lughawe sal enige 'seun' se aandag trek. Dit byk in 'n loods in Hamburg

Duisland te wees en alles word met rekenaars gekoordineer.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ACkmg3Y64_s?rel=0

Groetnis

• SoAR: Port Elizabeth NG: C Lewis

Part 8 dealing with the Patensie branch, has now been completed and

posted: https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1

161

That concludes our historical update of "24 Inches Apart". I would like to dedicate it to the

memory of its author, Sydney Moir, the man who sparked a world-wide interest in the Port

Elizabeth narrow gauge.

With heartfelt appreciation for the generous input of so many - especially David Payling

(who hopefully has recovered sufficiently to resume working on his book), Bruno Martin,

Bruce Brinkman, Chris Jeffery, Dick Manton, Leith Paxton, Alan Buttrum, Allen Duff, Geoff

Hall, Ken Stewart, the Port Elizabeth Public Library, Chris Müller, George van Niekerk,

Dalene Hösch, the library of Parliament (Cape Town), John Middleton, and Andrew

Deacon (our resident IT man).

As usual, all suggestions, corrections, and criticisms will be gratefully received.

Last but not least, thank you Syd

- Charlie Lewis

PS: like Arnie Schwarzenegger, we'll be back. This time with the next Transvaal chapter by

Les, with important input by Peter Micenko. In the case of the PE narrow gauge the next

chapter will be an epilogue, but that will only be published next year.

STOP PRESS

-

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162

NEXT ISSUE & GREETINGS

The next issue of “The Ulolwe” will be Vol 4 No 12 and will be published, DV,

sometime during late December 2013.

Send in your comments, anecdotes and photographs please.

Take care!

Stuur solank u stories, herinneringe en u eie foto’s aan [email protected] in jpg-formaat

Hennie Heymans – Pretoria, ZA © 2013

uloliwe 4 no 11

Documents

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railways of southern

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zahennie heymans

sa railways

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