uloliwe 4 no 11
DESCRIPTION
THE ULOLIWE, A monthly railway historical and research publication all about the Railways of Southern Africa: Past & Present. 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, etcTRANSCRIPT
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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
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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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.
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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
24
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
28
Coach 40092 with Bar Counter
4930
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Eric with his railway-hat and Ray looking on ...
15012
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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
34
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
39
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...
43
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.
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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
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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”.
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7 – 987 & Dining Car 216 “Caledon”
• “The Entertainer”: John Theunissen
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Lord Milner
If you love trains, then we presume you will also love red double decker busses and red fire
engines:
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• London Double Decker
Note: I always knew they spoke Afrikaans in London; see “Full/Vol” sign.
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• 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.
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Lee Kempthorn and Wally Greig
Ray Ellis making a speech. Mr Goetz looking on ...
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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.
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• Cape Town Station 271023
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58
59
• Atlantic Rail: Sunday 27 October 2013
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Back: With cap no 3655 is Brett “Vuurhoutjie” Radlof, centre Ray Ellis and right is Stefan
Andrzejewski
Matt Raubenheimer, Ray Ellis & Stefan Andrzejewski
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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!
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The Brass Bell – My favourite Watering hole in Cape Town
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Cape Fish-braai: Leon (Div) de Villiers
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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)
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From my archive:
• De Beers Coach (Via Paul Els)
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• 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
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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
74
75
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
79
80
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
85
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
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Power and reverse handles 43 class Ass controls with foldaway table-
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Driver’s controls 43-class
• Mist and sunrise
90
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
95
96
97
36-023 - Brakenfell 19 Nov 2013
98
• Touws River: Willie Marais
• Klein Brak River: Tubby Myburgh
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• Caledon: Piet van Staden
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101
Caledon Sta & Locomotive Sand
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TRANSVAAL
• Sentrarand: Hans Sturgeon
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• 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.
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34-432 ry deur Bloemfonteinstasie
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108
Boesmansrivier
109
110
Funkey shunter in Swarkopswerf.
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Klas 34-045 met Metrorail in PE
112
Mimosa & Kaptein
113
Net voor vertrek op Sondag 17112013
OMV1 op Alicedale
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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
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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
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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
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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
151
152
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