The Uloliwe by Hennie Heymans, Nongqai Publications

THE ULOLIWE SOUTH AFRICA – SUID-AFRIKA A monthly railway historical and research publication ‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie Vol 3 No 8 Un-official / Nie Amptelik - Gratis Everything to do with the former SA Railways: i.e. lighthouses, harbours, staff, photos, books, RMT, stations, tugs, SAR Police, SAA, catering, pipelines, stamps, models, rolling stock, armoured trains, diagrams, etc

Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA heymanshb@gmail.com August 2012

Reefsteamers – Paul Mills

Contents Welcome .............................................................................................................................................................8 Front Cover – Voorblad:...................................................................................................................................8 Editorial – Redaksioneel...................................................................................................................................8 Main Stories .......................................................................................................................................................9 - Last Regular Heavy Steam Repair: Bloemfontein; 29 July 1988 – Les Pivnic ....................................9 - Farewell to Steam – Bruno Martin..........................................................................................................17 Wepener’s Perambulations and … Railway History .................................................................................28 - Vierfontein line: Lifting of Rail at Hennenman ................................................................................28 - Welkom ..................................................................................................................................................31 John Wepener: SAR archival matter.........................................................................................................35 - Free Pass: SAR .......................................................................................................................................36 - Free Pass: Transnet ...............................................................................................................................37 - 3rd Class Ticket & Blue Train Ticket Folder .....................................................................................37 - Shosholoza Meyl ticket foulders.........................................................................................................38 - Excess Ticket & Bedding Ticket ..........................................................................................................39 - Diamond Card 40% Off........................................................................................................................39 - Free passes: 2nd Class Service & Scholar [Boon Boonzaaier] ...........................................................40 - Spoornet & Shosholoza Meyl tickets..................................................................................................40 - Ticket Examinator’s tools.....................................................................................................................41 Sightings 2 August 2012 .............................................................................................................................42 E1222 .........................................................................................................................................................42 Amatola or Algoa? ..................................................................................................................................43 Railway History of South Africa –HBH .......................................................................................................44 2

CGR: 2nd Class Wynberg Tank: Neilson & Dubs ....................................................................................44 NGR: 6- Wheeled Coupled Tank Engine [K & S] ..................................................................................44 Cape Town Station - What has happened to Blackie? ...........................................................................45 OVS Staatspoorwegen (OVSS) ..................................................................................................................45 - OVSS Guards Van: A8..........................................................................................................................45 - President MT Steyn’s Carriage ...........................................................................................................45 NZASM.........................................................................................................................................................45 Anglo Boer War ...........................................................................................................................................46 Stations .........................................................................................................................................................46 Two 16E’s at Koppies in the Free State – Johannes Botha .................................................................46 SAR – RMT Goods shed: Theunissen and 1890 Rail ..........................................................................47 SAR and World War 2 ....................................................................................................................................48 SAR Traction and Rolling Stock ....................................................................................................................48 Transnet ............................................................................................................................................................48 Transnet Legal costs................................................................................................................................48 R100 milj. vir Eskom, Transnet se regskoste .......................................................................................48 Public Protector to investigate Transnet pensions - DA ....................................................................48 Transnet-pensioenhofsaak .....................................................................................................................50 - Fondse openbaar aangevraagde inligting - Adv. Anton Alberts: VF Plus-LP .............................50 SA Metro Rail...................................................................................................................................................51 Springs – Schalk Claasen........................................................................................................................51 Metro Tickets - John Wepener ...............................................................................................................52 Metro - HBH ............................................................................................................................................52 3

Gautrain............................................................................................................................................................53 Name Changes ........................................................................................................................................53 Gautrain: Walk in the Park: HBH .........................................................................................................53 Apoplexy and ire (but no gum) as Gautrain breakdown strands commuters ...............................55 Tegniese fout laat Gautrein ure staan ..................................................................................................56 Photo reports ...................................................................................................................................................58 Union Limited Zambesi 1992: Robert Maidment-Wilson .....................................................................58 16D 860 and 16DA near Battery ............................................................................................................58 19D 3312 & 19D 2749 leaving Magaliesburg .......................................................................................59 19D 3312 & 19D 2749 at Elberta on the Magaliesburg – Hercules-line............................................60 15F 3094 near Brits ..................................................................................................................................61 1E 25 Historical Electric Loco – Andy Anderson....................................................................................61 Natal Midlands - Jacobus Marais..............................................................................................................62 19D 2506 at Cedara .................................................................................................................................62 Daniel greeting the “University on Wheels”.......................................................................................64 5E At Merrivale .......................................................................................................................................64 UK Report – Richard Niven.......................................................................................................................65 Namibia ........................................................................................................................................................67 Railway People – Spoorwegmense ...............................................................................................................67 - Miemie Coertse: World Famous Opera Singer .................................................................................67 - Koot Swanepoel: Spoorwegman, ek skryf en bid vir jou! ...............................................................68 - Driver: Rudy Venter .............................................................................................................................69 - Driver: Noel Welch ...............................................................................................................................69 4

- Station Foreman Dries van der Merwe, 1975, Leehof. .....................................................................70 Kyk Spoorwegman, ek skryf en bid vir jou! – Koot Swanepoel ...........................................................71 Water Police .....................................................................................................................................................72 Previous issues of Uloliwe .............................................................................................................................72 Rail Humour ....................................................................................................................................................72 Book Shelf.........................................................................................................................................................72 1. Neels Claasen: Vergete Pioniers [Fiksie] .............................................................................................72 1.1 Opsomming: Vergete Pioniers ........................................................................................................73 1.2 Die Skrywer: Neels Claasen.............................................................................................................76 2. J Dulez - The Book: Railways of Southern Africa 150 [Non-Fiction] ...............................................76 2.1 The DVD programme: South African Railways 150 Years .........................................................78 2.3 SAR 150th Anniversary Postage Stamps and First Day Covers .................................................80 2.4 Railway Postcards .............................................................................................................................80 Road Motor Transport Service [RMT]: Paystar Operational Area...........................................................81 South African Airways ...................................................................................................................................83 SAA History .....................................................................................................................................................83 Harbours...........................................................................................................................................................83 Catering Division ............................................................................................................................................83 Railway Police .................................................................................................................................................84 Rhodesia Railways, National Railways of Zimbabwe – J Batwell ...........................................................84 Railways: Tourism, Steam, Preservation, Societies & Clubs.....................................................................87 Rovos Rail: 25NC No 3533 King Zog – Johannes Botha ........................................................................87 Memories: Bosveld Train Safaris – HBH .................................................................................................88 5

Railway Society of Southern Africa Natal – A Peter ..............................................................................89 Reefsteamers: Situation Reports – Lee Gates ..........................................................................................89 Umgeni Steam Railway: GMAM 4074 .....................................................................................................94 Paton’s Country Railway ...........................................................................................................................94 Patons Country Railway Annual Aloe Train Trips ............................................................................94 Umgeni Steam Railway - Ashley Peter ....................................................................................................94 Friends of the Rail .......................................................................................................................................94 Sandstone: Lee Gates ..................................................................................................................................96 JB Tours: Treintoere in Suider Afrika ...........................................................................................................98 Railwayana.......................................................................................................................................................98 South African Models .....................................................................................................................................98 Scalecraft: - Adrian Hill ..............................................................................................................................98 Contact us .................................................................................................................................................98 Dream Trains – Wynand Vermeulen .......................................................................................................98 Railway Modellers’ Information Group: Contact Details .....................................................................98 From the Press .................................................................................................................................................99 - Train crash: Body parts strewn over 200m............................................................................................99 - Trein tref lorrie: dodetal styg tot 20 .....................................................................................................100 - Death toll rises in Mpumalanga train crash ........................................................................................100 - Man aangekla ná 26 se gru-dood..........................................................................................................102 - Train-truck crash: Fedusa asks Nedlac to intervene ..........................................................................104 - Govt conveys condolences to victims of Mpumalanga accident .....................................................105 - Government conveys condolences to victims of train and truck crash ..........................................105 6

- Trein tref lorrie: Drywer bly in sel........................................................................................................105 - Moving ceremony for 24 farm workers ...........................................................................................106 - Goed vasgevat op die Gautrein ............................................................................................................107 Trein tref man, hond by Stellenbosch ................................................................................................107 SA RAILWAY RELATED INTERNET GROUPS......................................................................................107 •

Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe (sic) ......................................................107

•

Yahoo: SAR-Miniatures – Adrian Hill .......................................................................................108

•

Facebook: ‘RHODESIA RAILWAY’ Group - John Batwell ....................................................108

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Website for Reefsteamers: Lee Gates ..........................................................................................108

•

Well worth a look ..........................................................................................................................108

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Andre Kritzinger ...........................................................................................................................108

•

Adrian Hill says:............................................................................................................................109

Angola: Anton van Schalkwyk ...................................................................................................................109 Map: Bruno Martin ...............................................................................................................................109 Cubal .......................................................................................................................................................109 Cubal Steam Shed - Yesterday and today .........................................................................................110 CFM: Lourenco Marques or Maputo..........................................................................................................111 Pandora’s Box ................................................................................................................................................112 German Armoured Train [WW1] .......................................................................................................112 US captured German Armoured Tain [WW2] ..................................................................................112 Oh Gaats! ................................................................................................................................................113 Mail Bag ..........................................................................................................................................................113 Les Pivnic, Australia .............................................................................................................................113 7

Stop Press: The Puff Adder..........................................................................................................................115 Fotoverslag en raad na ‘n werklike slanpik-ervaring ..........................................................................116 Chris van Ginkel........................................................................................................................................116 Disclaimer ......................................................................................................................................................120

Welcome Just relax, sit back and enjoy – its easy reading!

Front Cover – Voorblad: Paul Mills took this photo during Reefsteamers openday on Saturday 28 July 2012.

Editorial – Redaksioneel So much has been written and said! I won’t spoil it – I won’t say a word! Except, look at Andy Anderson’s suggestion on paina 61 - 62. What are we going to do?

Former colleague Robert Brand saw this “train” in Climax Colorado, USA. He thought we might find it interesting. •

Thanks Robert!

Main Stories - Last Regular Heavy Steam Repair: Bloemfontein; 29 July 1988 – Les Pivnic

Here is a photo that I took of 3016 at Krugersdorp Loco in January 1990 after she was painted blue – Les Pivnic

Bloemfontein Mechanical Workshops was the last major Depot to undertake Heavy Repairs (SAR terminology for a major overhaul) on steam locomotives. Class 25NC 3407 fitted with a “worshond” tender was the final loco repaired under the standard repair programme. However, 3407 was not actually the last steam loco to be repaired at Bloemfontein Shops. The SATS Museum had previously made arrangements for 15F 3016 to be repaired for “Museum Purposes”.

3016 would be available for use on special tour trains and the

regular outings to Magaliesburg from Johannesburg.

I was invited by the Mechanical Engineer, Bloemfontein to represent SATS Museum at the function that was arranged to see 3407 ceremoniously brought out of the Loco Erecting Shop, as the last loco to be repaired on the 29th of July 1988. 15F 3016 that was already under repair and a few additional locomotives subsequently drawn from the existing National Collection for repair would not be part of the normal repair programme. I was delighted to receive the invitation because it offered me not only an opportunity to witness this interesting though sad event, but also – I could check on 3016’s progress in Shops. I collected a pool car from Paul Kruger Building and set off in the early hours of the morning to attend the function later that day. Unbeknown to me when I drew the car, it had a faulty heater and I nearly froze on that journey south through the Northern Orange Free State to the Capital. As it turned out, I was just in time at the Depot to witness the ceremonial movement of 3407 out of the Erecting Shop. A lot of photographs were taken and speeches made – then it was time to enjoy a lekker braaivleis and soft drinks. As can be seen in the photographs, 3407 was turned out in a green livery – not to my personal liking I must admit but it marked the end of steam loco repairs at SA Transport Services Workshops. Fortunately from my point of view, the loco ended up at Krugersdorp Loco for special steam tours and the green was changed to a more pleasing darker shade and given the name “Pauline” – named after the wife of Helmuth Hagen who was SATS AGM Tech at the time. After the function was over, I went into the Erecting Shop to see the Foreman and enquire as to the progress on 3016. The Foreman took me through the Shop and we eventually came to where 3016 was under repair. I noticed that she had a “knife-edge” firebox boiler in place on the underframes. 10

I’m referring to the leading edge of the firebox which on earlier engines had a radiusededge that looked much smarter. Although the knife-edge firebox was correct for this particular batch of 15Fs, I nevertheless asked the Foreman if it would be possible to change the boiler for one with the radiusededge. He said that it would be difficult at this stage to swop the boilers but he would see what he could do. When 3016 arrived at Krugersdorp Loco some weeks later, she had the radiused-edge firebox! Very much smarter for a museum loco! Because 3016 had many years earlier, been in the Blue Train Link at Braamfontein Loco, it was arranged for her to be repainted in a blue livery. After the repairs at Bloemfontein Shops to the additional museum locomotives drawn from the National Collection, that was the end of steam loco repairs on SATS – almost! 16E 857 Ann Smith was removed from her plinth in front of Bloemfontein Station and was also repaired for tour trains BUT.......not at the ME’s Shops. She was repaired in the Loco Depot at Bloemfontein. All the other major Depots around the Country had previously ceased repairing steam locomotives – Bloemfontein was the last! It is just possible that other steam locomotives might have been repaired at the few remaining steam loco depots around the Country for special trains. If this is the case, please let me know. I would be interested in such information. I’m referring to Heavy Repairs – not running maintenance repairs which naturally continued for awhile longer – especially on locomotives allocated for service on special tour trains. Les Pivnic

All photographs by Les Pivnic and carry his copyright - HBH

- Foreign Diesels in South Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Les Bray

Les Bray took pictures on 2012-07-18 of the following locomotives now in Pretoria: - 2600; - 2603; - 2604; - 2606; - 2607; - 2608; - 2610; and - 2611.

- Farewell to Steam â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bruno Martin

Wepenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Perambulations and â&#x20AC;Ś Railway History - Vierfontein line: Lifting of Rail at Hennenman Hi guys. The guys were busy uplifting rails in the old Hennenman yard area today. This specific line was the one that went to the tri-angle. These rails are headed for Vierfontein, to be used for the re-laying of the Orkney line. Cheers.

- Welkom Hi everyone, I got my train driver buddy at Welkom today on the return working of the Bothaville pickup. This morning on the outward journey he brought 35 259 to replace 35 257, RRL's hire locomotive from Transnet in Kroonstad. 35 257 failed this morning. I had a footplate ride with him while getting the 35 257, as you can see one of RRL's 91's is waiting for us to complete the shunting movement to enter the yard. Meanwhile 35 259 on another RRL ore haul had approached from Friedesheim and was also waiting for us - quite a busy time in Welkom station!! Their 31 class was in the "workshop" having a new traction motor fitted. 31

Cheers. 20 Jul

John Wepener: SAR archival matter Hi Hennie, Weereens dankie vir jou pa se 40 Af-Off pas en telefoon oproep. Foto verwys, van links na regs en van bo tot onder. • • • • • • • • • •

SAS Vrypas, Spooornet Vrypas, SAS Toeslag kaartjioe, SAS Beddegoed kwatansie, SAS 3de klas karton kaartjie. Verskillende “Metro” kaartjies, “Metro Blitz” kaartjies [Ex Carlos], Spoornet 2de klas “Dienspas”, SAS “Studente Pas” ex Boon Boonzaaier, 40% Af pas ex Hennie, 35

• • • • • •

Spoornet pappier Hooflyn kaartjie, Shosholoza Meyl pappier Hooflyn kaartjies. Plastises “Tripper Kaart” houer [Ook n’ afslag konsessie], SAS Hooflyn kaartjie houer, Spoornet Hooflyn Passassiers Dienste, Hooflyn kaartjie houer, Shosholoza Meyl Hooflyn kaartjie houers x 2.

Twee kaartjie knippers, groot/klein, opvoubare en vaste tipe passassiers wa-sleutel, halfprys kaartjie kipper. [Gebruik in Kaartjies kantore om ‘n’klein gedeelte uit karton kaartjies te knip, as ‘n kind kaartjie uitgereik word teen half prys. Die uitgeknipte gedeelte is maandeind in gestuur as bewys van half kaartjies uitgereik is.] Kaartjie groete, John en Jacque.

- Free Pass: SAR

- Free Pass: Transnet

- 3rd Class Ticket & Blue Train Ticket Folder

- Shosholoza Meyl ticket foulders

Filler:

No 29008 (U C & W - 1961) @ Salvokop on 10-1-2004 38

- Excess Ticket & Bedding Ticket

- Diamond Card 40% Off

- Free passes: 2nd Class Service & Scholar [Boon Boonzaaier]

- Spoornet & Shosholoza Meyl tickets

- Ticket Examinatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tools

All photos by J & J Wepener carry their copyright. 41

Sightings 2 August 2012 Hi guys. This

morning

found

two

light

locos

staged

Virginia

station,

supposed

to have been picked up later today, still there this afternoon... Operating at Theunissen told us he was expecting two trains shortly after each other; we got them between Theron and WelgeleĂŤ. The first being either the Amatola or Algoa, can't tell them apart anymore (both run as 1st, 2nd,3rd class trains now), running quite late, hoots from the crew. A couple of minutes later the containers came through, greetings from the crew. At Theunissen we found the remains of the old RMTS depot and two pieces of rail used as fence posts dated 1891 & 1890. RRL told us that it seems like some of the Sierra Leone locos and some of the Australian imports are going to be sent our way for tests to be done, looking forward to that! 91 03 had a new water pump fitted and the guys were busy refilling the radiator with several hundred litres of water. Cheers. J & J.

E1222

Amatola or Algoa?

Railway History of South Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C;HBH CGR: 2nd Class Wynberg Tank: Neilson & Dubs

NGR: 6- Wheeled Coupled Tank Engine [K & S]

Cape Town Station - What has happened to Blackie? Is there anybody out there who could give us a situation report on Blackie? When will she be plinthed in the forecourt at Cape Town Station? Apparently she was stored somewhere for safe keeping – HBH

OVS Staatspoorwegen (OVSS) - OVSS Guards Van: A8

- President MT Steyn’s Carriage The Oorlogsmuseum in Bloemfontein only has information on Pres SJP Kruger’s saloon and nothing on Pres MT Steyn’s private saloon. The matter is now closed.

NZASM -

Anglo Boer War -

Stations Two 16E’s at Koppies in the Free State – Johannes Botha

SAR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; RMT Goods shed: Theunissen and 1890 Rail

Patron Our patron is Les Pivnic. He is a renowned railway photographer and author. His book on SAR Dining Cars is a classic book and by now Africana. He was assistantcurator at the old SAR museum in Johannesburg. He is one of the experts on the SA Railways as he has a lifelong interest in railways.

SAR and World War 2 -

SAR Traction and Rolling Stock -

Transnet Transnet Legal costs Parastatals Eskom and Transnet spent R100 miljion for external legal fees. Transnet paid R62 milion for its external legal fees.

R100 milj. vir Eskom, Transnet se regskoste 2012-07-12 07:31 Johannesburg â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Transnet en Eskom het die afgelope jaar gesamentlik meer as R100 miljoen aan regskoste bestee. Talle staatsbeheerde maatskappye gebruik steeds duur eksterne regsverteenwoordigers, al het hulle interne regsafdelings. RSG berig Transnet het R62 miljoen bestee, terwyl Eskom R58 miljoen bestee het. Collins Chabane, minister in die presidensie, het sy kommer uitgespreek oor die stygende koste van onnodige regsgedinge. http://afrikaans.news24.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Eskom-Transnet-se-regskoste-meer-asR100-milj-20120712

Public Protector to investigate Transnet pensions - DA Natasha Michael - 01 August 2012

Natasha Michael says pensioners of two funds facing destitution due to maladministration

Public Protector agrees to investigate Transnet Pension maladministration Following a request from the DA, the Public Protector has agreed to launch a preliminary investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement of two Transnet pension funds. More than 70 000 pensioners belonging to the Transnet Pension Fund (TPF) and the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Pension Fund (TSDBPF) are facing destitution as the poor management of the funds have resulted in minimal benefit increases (2% per annum) which do not enable them to maintain an acceptable standard of living in their old age. The DA has been highlighting the plight of the affected Transnet pensioners across various platforms, including the budget debate for Public Enterprises in February this year and in the deliberations of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises. In a statement earlier this week, Adv Anton Alberts of the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) criticised the DA's decision to refer this matter to the Public Protector, implying that her office does not have a mandate to investigate this matter. It appears that the Public Protector disagrees. The letter received from Adv Thuli Madonsela's office states that, "In terms of section 182 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996, the Public Protector has the power to investigate conduct in state affairs, or in the public administration in any sphere of government, that is alleged or suspected to be improper or to result in any impropriety or prejudice. After a careful assessment of the complaint, I have determined that the allegations warrant a preliminary investigation" The DA will not respond to attempts by the FF Plus to politicise this matter. Our concern is with the pensioners whose livelihoods have been devastated by the mismanagement of Transnet's pension fund. The DA will continue to lead the fight for the 70 000 Transnet Pensioners to ensure after a lifetime of service, that they receive increases that will enable them to enjoy a deserved retirement. I will be awaiting the findings of the Public Protector's investigation in this regard. Statement issued by Natasha Michael MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, August 2 2012 49

Transnet-pensioenhofsaak - Fondse openbaar aangevraagde inligting - Adv. Anton Alberts: VF Plus-LP Die Vryheidsfront Plus het op 25 Julie 2012 amptelik verneem dat die twee Transnetfondse, naamlik die Transnet Tweede Vastevoordeelfonds (TTVVF) en die Transport Pensioenfonds (TPF), al die inligting wat aangevra is vir die hofsaak teen die twee fondse en Transnet gaan blootlê. “Ons het gister ‘n skrywe van die twee fondse se hoofbeampte ontvang waarin ons ingelig is die blootleggingsinligting is gereed en kan afgehaal word. Ons sal dit nou verder bestudeer en die hofaansoek aan die hand daarvan voltooi. Dit beteken dat ons waarskynlik in Augustus die aansoek op Transnet en die twee fondse sal kan beteken,” het Anton Alberts, VF Plus-parlementêre woordvoerder oor ekonomiese sake, gesê. “Ons maak nou goeie vordering en sal so spoedig as moontlik dié fase afhandel.” Voorts het die VF Plus verneem dat die DA ‘n klag by die Openbare Beskermer gelê het om die bestuur van die Transnetfondse te ondersoek. “Die VF Plus het voorheen oorweeg om die roete te volg maar is geadviseer om eerder hof toe te gaan aangesien die Openbare Beskermer nie by magte is om bevindings af te dwing nie en net aanbevelings kan maak. ‘n Hof in teenstelling is by uitstek met die mag beklee om sy bevele af te dwing. Verder sal die hof dieselfde ondersoek doen na die bestuur van die fondse aan die hand van die inligting wat ons laat blootlê,” het Alberts gesê. “Die tesourie en Transnet het dan ook voorheen ‘n bevinding van die parlement verontagsaam en as die parlement verontagsaam word, is daar dus geen rede waarom daar ag geslaan sal word op die Openbare Beskermer se mening nie. Daar is ook die moontlikheid dat die Openbare Beskermer nie jurisdiksie oor die fondse het nie, soos alreeds beslis toe ‘n pensioenaris die saak voorheen daar aanhangig gemaak het,” was Alberts se mening. “Daarom vat ons die kwessie hof toe en sal daar die wanbestuur van die fondse oopvlek sodat ‘n afdwingbare hofbevel ten gunste van die pensioenarisse gemaak kan word,” het Alberts verduidelik.

The Desert Express at Swakopmund - HBH

SA Metro Rail

Springs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Schalk Claasen

A rare sight these days! Full pantographs seen by Schalk Claasen on 29-06-2012 at Springs

Metro Tickets - John Wepener

Metro - HBH While walking in the Park at Fountains we saw this Metro with â&#x20AC;&#x153;green liningsâ&#x20AC;? on the way to Germiston from Pretoria Station. The earthworks around the Gautrain viaduct has been landscaped. 5 Stars to Gautrain!

Gautrain

Both sides of the Gautrain Card.

Name Changes I went to fetch a friend at the Hatfield Station. Everything is new and shiny in the station. I studied the famous “You are Here” board. Everything nice and fine! Until it struck me – the Gautrain still sports the “old street names”. Poor tourists!

Gautrain: Walk in the Park: HBH A few friends and I went for a “Walk in the Park” at Fountains in Pretoria. The amount of Gautrains was incredible in comparison to the few Metro’s operated by Spoornet that moved by while we were hiking. Here are some photographs taken while we were on the hike: 53

The landscaping in the park next to the Gautrain line is done very professionally. This one can see all along the line. New trees were also planted in the Fountains near the Gautrain line.

Apoplexy and ire (but no gum) as Gautrain breakdown strands commuters 17 Jul 2012 10:57 - Phillip De Wet Gautrain staff won't let passengers chew gum, but they'll apparently let them walk the tracks if their train breaks down on their morning commute. The Gautrain company on Tuesday morning said it was still investigating the failure of a train that left hundreds of passengers stuck for more than two hours â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and hundreds others delayed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; while its emergency protocols broke down and possibly endangered lives. "I'm aghast to hear you say that," said Gautrain spokesperson Errol Braithwaite, when told of reports that passengers were disembarking and walking back to a station along the tracks. "That would have been an extremely unsafe thing to do. Metres away you have another live track with trains whipping along at 160km/h." Several passengers used Twitter to not only express their anger at delays and a lack of communication, but to tweet pictures of other passengers walking along the tracks. Braithwaite also expressed shock at the suggestion that Gautrain staff had told irate passengers that they were welcome to disembark and catch taxis, saying that was certainly contrary to protocol. 55

"What we need to do now is pause and catch our breath," he said. "In the heat of the moment when people are angry and inconvenienced, tempers do get raised and allegations do get made, but when we look back those are not always borne out by the facts." Braithwaite said CCTV footage would be used to look into such incidents, and determine how safety procedures had broken down. While passengers travelling south from the Hatfield and Pretoria central stations saw some delay in morning rush hour service, as their trains were diverted around their stationary sister, commuters on the stuck train spent just over two and a half hours waiting for a "rescue train". "Two hours is one and a half hours longer than we would have expected," said Braithwaite. He speculated that there must have been some technical reason for the delay in providing an alternative train, but said an investigation would have to be done. Two weeks ago passengers on a train between Rosebank and Park Station were stuck in an underground tunnel, in the dark, for well over an hour. Power was eventually restored, and passengers did not have to change trains. Gautrain does not offer refunds or compensation for delays. Passengers and other Twitter users were especially amused that a train had broken down on the same day that reports emerged of how security staff had detained two sisters for four hours after they were caught chewing gum in a station. "Hope @TheGautrain isnt stuck cause it stepped on sum gum. hahaha" tweeted user @njabuX. http://mg.co.za/article/2012-07-17-apoplexy-and-ire-but-no-gum-as-gautrain-breakdownstrands-commuters

Tegniese fout laat Gautrein ure staan 2012-07-17 21:46 - Seugnet Esterhuyse Passasiers op die Gautrein was gisteroggend etlike ure lank buite Centurion gestrand nadat die trein sy noodremme moes aanslaan weens ’n tegniese fout. Riaan van der Merwe (41) van La Montagne in die ooste van Pretoria, wat gister vir die tweede keer op die Gautrein gery het, het gesê al die passasiers moes “in die middel van nêrens” van die trein afklim. “Niemand het beheer van die situasie geneem nie. Almal 56

moes maar op hul eie van die trein afklim,” het Van der Merwe, ’n ingenieur wat eergister met ’n nuwe werk in Sandton begin het, gesê. Volgens hom was dít ook nie ’n maklike taak nie. “Van die trein tot op die grond was ’n sprong van sowat 2 m. ’n Personeellid het ’n houtleer nader gebring om van die passasiers te help, terwyl ander agtergekom het dat daar trappe by die stuurkajuut is.” Hy het gesê niemand het vir die passasiers gesê om die trein te ontruim nie. “Ons het net ewe skielik mense buite sien rondstaan.” Katinka Beeslaar (43) van Centurion het gesê dit het vier uur geduur om by haar werkplek uit te kom. “Die trein het sommer net gaan staan nadat ons ’n vreemde brandreuk geruik het.” Volgens Beeslaar het dit meer as twee uur geduur voordat Bombela, die konsortium wat die Gautrein bedryf, ’n plan gemaak het. “Om alles te kroon wou hulle ons daarna op die Sandton-stasie met R500 beboet omdat ons langer as twee uur op die trein was. “Gelukkig is die stelsel herset en is die passasiers deurgelaat.” Van der Merwe en Beeslaar het gesê daar is nie genoeg met die passasiers gekommunikeer nie. Volgens Kelebogile Machaka, woordvoerder van Bombela, was die trein van die Centurion-stasie na Johannesburg op pad toe dit het om 07:21 tussen dié stasie en Midrand ’n tegniese probleem ondervind het waarna die noodremme ingevolge veiligheidsprosedures aangeslaan moes word. Machaka het gesê dié trein is veilig tot stilstand gebring en ’n ander trein is gestuur om die passasiers verder te vervoer. Volgens haar is geen probleme ondervind nie. “Die aanvanklike ondersoek dui daarop dat dit veroorsaak is deur ’n fout op ons rekenaarmonitors.” http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Tegniese-fout-laat-Gautrein-ure-staan-20120717

Photo reports Union Limited Zambesi 1992: Robert Maidment-Wilson 16D 860 and 16DA near Battery

19D 3312 & 19D 2749 leaving Magaliesburg

19D 3312 & 19D 2749 at Elberta on the Magaliesburg â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hercules-line

15F 3094 near Brits

1E 25 Historical Electric Loco â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Andy Anderson Hi Hennie, Here is photo of E 25 I took in 1980 with my Pentax MX 35mm SLR camera on Agfa slide film. This is a digital scan from a very cheap scanner I bought so quality is not so good but at least we have records of what these wonderful old machines looked like. Since this photo was taken, the body work has been ravaged by rust and most of the valuable copper / brass has been stripped from her. She now resides back in the Goods Shed at Ladysmith as per last info I had on her. Would love to see her cosmetically restored at least and plinthed at Inchanga Station where we can keep an eye on her. Best regards, Andy 61

Natal Midlands - Jacobus Marais From the Natal Midlands Jacobus Marais has captured the following:

19D 2506 at Cedara

Daniel greeting the â&#x20AC;&#x153;University on Wheelsâ&#x20AC;?

5E At Merrivale

UK Report â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Richard Niven Hi Hennie Here are a few shots taken over the years of UK railways Here in UK the main aspect of the railway is to move passengers around and occasionally freight. Due to this the railway is generally a hi-speed railway with fast express trains running the rails. As much as many lines are electric there are still a large number of diesels running in this land. I myself only drive diesels. I mainly drive the small 4 and 5 car Voyager tilting sets as seen in the photos attached on the two bridge photos. The two cab shots are taken in the cab of a class 221 diesel tilting Voyager. The Voyagers have a max speed of 125 mph (200kph) and each coach has a 750hp engine fitted below the floor. When running well; these trains can go from 0 mph to 60 mph in under 1 minute. The red Virgin train in the snow is of one of the old London to Glasgow push-pull sets. The unit in the photo is simply a baggage/driving car. The locomotive was always located at one end, on these 9 car trains, and were capable of 100 mph (160kph). The three lined up electric units are class 91s push-pull units with a train of 9 coaches. They work on the busy Edinburgh to London East Coast mainline and have a max speed of 125mph (200kph). Each loco is about 6000hp Apart from the everyday electric and diesels running the lines there is also a large number of steam specials as you will see from the photos. Within the last ten or so days I have passed about 8 steam specials in total. The large hi-speed looking diesel with the driver standing beside it is a old 1974 class 43 diesel unit. These are the other units I drive and consist of 7 coaches with a diesel power car at each end of the train. They are not quite as fast at gaining speed as the modern Voyagers but they have the same top speed of 125mph One thing between the old and new trains is the brake systems. All the old trains are fitted with two pipe air brakes but the modern machines are simply electro-pneumatic. As all drivers will know the old piped air brake system takes a while to respond from the cab controls but the modern electro-pneumatic brake system simply responds within milliseconds to the control being moved. I hope these shots are of interest to you. 65

Regards, Richard

Tay Bridge 16-01-12

221 Voyager cab

Class 91 line-up

Voyager on Tay Bridge, Dundee, April 04

Duchess at Preston 10-07-04 66

Leeds 24-06-09

Trains + snow, WCML 2003

Duke of Gloucester Voyager on Forth Bridge 13-07-04

Namibia -

Railway People â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spoorwegmense We always wonder what do our friends who drive these Anacondas (or is it Amaconda?) and long trains look like? Here are some of Uloliweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends who are drivers of the mighty iron horse. We salute these professionals whose work is also their hobby!

- Miemie Coertse: World Famous Opera Singer As an old Durbanite I always knew that Mimi Coertze also lived in Durban. (I was at school with one of her cousins.) I was told that she lived in the Jacobs Railway Housing Scheme. The other day 67

she celebrated her 80th birthday and in a radio interview confirmed that she lived in Durban at one stage of her life and that her father was employed by the old SAR.

- Koot Swanepoel: Spoorwegman, ek skryf en bid vir jou! Ek is die oudste seun van 'n Spoorwegman. My pa was al die jare 'n kondukteur op die “ou” Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë & Hawens. Hy was gestasioneer te Klerksdorp. Ek dink vandag met heimweë aan elke Spoorwegman. Veral in hierdie koue wintersnagte. Hoeveel keer in my lewe het ek in die nag wakker geword, wanneer die Roepman aan my ouers se kamervenster, van ons Spoorweghuisie, kom klop het, met die woorde; "Oom Peet" en dan die treinnommer en tyd met my pa bevestig het.Dit is pikdonker nag. Dis winter. 'n Ysige wind waai. Dan hoor ek hom opstaan. So sag as moontlik om ons nie wakker te maak nie, gaan hy badkamer toe. Later hoor ek hom in die kombuis. Sy ou swart spoorwegblik was reeds vroeg aand gepak vir twee – meskien drie dae weg van die huis af. Afhangende watter “pad” hy moes bedien. Of was dit “trajek” genoem. Weet nie meer nie. Ek huil juis nou terwyl ek hier skryf... as ek dink wat hy en jy as Spoorweg man/ouer, vir ons sy/jou huisgesin opgeoffer het, en dalk nogsteeds. By jou gesin het jy die liefde en waardering gekry, maar vandag? Jou lojaliteit en opoffering deur wind en weer... ‘n karige ou pensioentjie, vir ‘n “stukkende” liggaam, gees en siel. Weet, daar is êrens in hierdie ou land van ons, mense, kinders, ‘n generasie van Spoorwegmense wat hulde bring aan ‘n geslag manne en vroue, wat die fondament was van getrouheid, lojaliteit en liefde, aangevuur deur selfrespek om die werkgewer, die beste van sy lewe te gee – julle - wat was en nog verbonde is aan die Spoorweë. Ons generasie is nie skaam om te sê; “My pa was ‘n Spoorwegman nie.” Ek salueer julle, Koot Swanepoel.

•

Koot, a pastor, has a calling. He is going to be our “honoroury railway chaplain.” He is there for us. His email: "J.C. Swanepoel" koots@telkomsa.net

- Driver: Rudy Venter Dressed to combat the cold Natal Berg and Midlands. I “know” Rudy and he is passionate about the railways and his job! I am proud to know him!

- Driver: Noel Welch Noel Welch in the drivers office – right behind the

“steering

wheel”

and

controls.

- Station Foreman Dries van der Merwe, 1975, Leehof.

Kyk Spoorwegman, ek skryf en bid vir jou! – Koot Swanepoel Johannes 14 v. 6: "Jesus antwoord hom, Ek is die weg en die waarheid en die lewe; niemand kom na die Vader behalwe deur My nie." Jesus sê: "Ek is die weg..." Weer hoor ons dit nie. Ons is so besig op ons eie weg, dat ons nie die roepstem van Jesus hoor nie. Om op die breë weg te wees, is soos om met jou motor op die pad tussen Johannesburg en Pretoria te ry. Daar is baie mense op dié weg en elke persoon bestuur sy eie motor. Die risiko's van gevaar is groot. Die mense beweeg vinnig en konsentreer slegs op die pad voor hulle. Sommige mense ry voor jou, ander ry agter jou en ander langs jou. Jy gaan by mense verby en ander gaan weer by jou verby. Jy kan die mense nie vertrou nie, want jy weet nie wat hulle die volgende oomblik gaan doen nie. Jy weet nie wat verder op hierdie breë weg op jou wag nie, want jy is uitgelewer aan die ander mense se optrede. Jesus sê: "Ek is die weg..." Nogtans volg ek my eie weg. Om Jesus se weg te volg, is om trein te ry. Jesus is die Bestuurder van die trein. Hy is voor en ek volg agter. Die trein is die liggaam van Jesus. Binne is daar baie sitplek. Terwyl Jesus bestuur, het ek tyd om te dink en te ontspan, want my volle vertroue is op die Bestuurder. Ek kyk by die venster uit en sien die natuurskoon, die riviere, bome, plantegroei, wolke, berge, see en damme en ek weet ook dit word deur die Bestuurder bestuur. Ek is rustig en kan aandag gee aan my medepassasiers. Ek kan gesels en na ander luister. Die trein van Jesus is op 'n smal spoor en nie op 'n breë weg nie. Hierdie trein beweeg rigtingvas op die smal weg. Ek is nie bekommerd dat ek nie my bestemming sal bereik nie, omdat ek my volle vertroue in Jesus, wie die trein bestuur, plaas. Op watter weg wil jy wees? Jou eie weg of op Jesus se weg? Seën vir julle my liewe Boetas. Koot 15/07/2012

•

U kan Koot direk kontak by: J.C. Swanepoel koots@telkomsa.net

Water Police -

Previous issues of Uloliwe Here is the link to the June 2012 issue of Uloliwe: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/3_no_6_uloliwe It had 273 “readers” last month. Here is the link to the July issue of Uloliwe: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs/3_no_7_uloliwe It had 306 “readers” last month. For previous all previous issues of Uloliwe click on: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs

Rail Humour Book Shelf 1. Neels Claasen: Vergete Pioniers [Fiksie]

1.1 Opsomming: Vergete Pioniers Daar was ‘n tyd in ons land se geskiedenis wat die SuidAfrikaanse Spoorweë die ruggraat van hierdie land se

vervoerstelsel

gevorm

het. Langs die spoorlyne was

stasies

wat

die

plaaslike gemeenskap bedien het wat alles, van roomkanne, pakkies, lewende hawe en die boer se produkte, en wat hy nodig het, was met die trein vervoer. Hierdie

stasies

het

hulle

personeel

met klein

gemeenskappies van hulle eie gevorm. Die spoorweë in die groot sentra soos Kroonstad en Bethlehem

het

groot

personeel gehad wat in die rangeerterreine, stasies

lokomotiefloodse

op in

die die

gewerk

het. Dit was die tydperk van die stoomlokomotiewe en het menige homself

klein

seuntjie

voorgeneem om

eendag ‘n treindrywer te word as hy die reuse in aksie sien.

Vandag is alles egter tot niet, klein stasies bestaan nie meer nie en met vragmotors wat ons paaie flenters trap het die verkeer so gedaal dat daar vandag maar enkele treine, met elektriese of dieseltrekkrag, loop. Passasierstreine is ‘n paar enkele hooflyntreine wat passasiers oor lang afstande vervoer. Taxis het die plek van die gewone stasie tot stasie passasierstreine, wat die plaaslike mense rond gekarwei het, vervang. In Vergete Pioniers herleef ons weer hierdie glorieryke stoomjare toe die trein die vernaamste vervoermiddel was, as ons saam met Koos Lourens, treindrywer in Bethlehem, drie uur die oggend wakker word as die roepman aan sy venster klop om hom te kom roep vir sy trein en ry die leser saam Kroonstad toe. Ons beleef al die aksie op die voetplaat saam met hom, ons gaan saam met hom deur die skilderagtige Oos-Vrystaat waar man en sy masjien onder alle weersomstadighede tot die uiterste getoets word, veral in die jaar van die groot sneeuval. Ons herleef saam met hom ook die hartseer as sy buurman onder die wiele beland en hy ‘n weduwee en ‘n klein dogtertjie agterlaat. Ons herleef ook die hartseer van ‘n groot treinongeluk toe een trein agter in ‘n ander een vasgery het in digte mis. Ons beleef ook die sterwensuur van stoom saam met hom toe elektrifikasie van die Harrismith en Kroonstad lyne stoom verdring en net die Bloemfonteinlyn oorby. Elke mens is egter ook ‘n mens met ‘n persoonlike lewe en die geharde oujonkêrel sneuwel toe die pragtige Hantie du Preez, spoorwegdogter, haar aanstelling as musiek onderwyseres op Bethlehem kry en hulle lewenspaaie kruis en sy Koos se hart verower. Ons beleef al die hartseer van sy buurvrou, Cathy, met die hoogs begaafde dogtertjie, Madelein, met die mooiste soet sangstemmetjie wat onder Hantie se hand, tot sy reg kom. Haar hartseer toe haar man onder die wiele beland het, het ‘n gelukkige einde toe sy ‘n nuwe liefde in haar lewe ontmoet in die persoon van Peet Venter, ‘n stasievoorman. Ons kyk dus ook hoe hierdie mense in hulle alledaagse bestaan in hulle eenvoudige spoorweghuise gelewe het. Hierdie mense was trotse mense en was nooit skaam vir die feit dat hulle spoorwegmense was nie. Saam met Hantie gaan ry ons trein en beleef weer die ervarings at passasiers op hierdie treine gehad het met die gesuis en geklap van wiele oor die spore met die reuk van rook ‘n stoom wat soms die trein vul as die ou grote daar voor blaffend en hygend die bulte uitbeur om sy passasiers by hulle bestemmings te bring 74

Ons beleef n bietjie van die klein stasie lewe saam met Hantie en haar mense in die dae toe daar nie elektrisiteit op hierdie klein stasies was nie. Ons gooi ook ‘n draai in die hart van die vervoerdiens vir ‘n kykie agter die skerms, die bedryfskantore, waar treindienste gereël word en die verkeer beheer word. Van ons ouer garde sal die groter stasies met hulle eie unieke atmosfeer onthou. Passasierstrein op die groot stasies was altyd ‘n miernes van bedrywigheid van mensemassas, platformtrekkertjies wat met ‘n string ratelende waentjies agter hom aan van trein tot trein jaag om al die pakkies en roomkanne in die regte treine te kry. Possakke is met ‘n sing van die eindbestemming van elke sak in die kondukteurswaens gelaai en dieselfde met possakke wat uitgelaai word. Kaartjiesondersoekers het so half gesag ingeboesem as hy so oor sy bril vir jou loer as jy kom plek vra en hy so deur sy treinplanne blaai om almal plek te gee. Ons herleef dus ook hierdie tonele in Vergete Pioniers en ervaar weer daardie atmosfeer wanneer die luidsprekers die vertek aankondig en die stasieinspekteur op die groot stasies die trein met sy wit en groen vlag wegsien nadat hy by die seinhuis lyn gekry het. Ons gaan eet ook op die trein want eetwaens op treine het daardie tyd ook ‘n unieke atmosfeer gehad met kelners wat met wit vadoeke oor die arm, in hulle wit baadjies, die wieg van die trein trotseeer om die passasiers van die heerlikste geregte te bedien. Geregte wat deur die kok op die trein in sy koolstoof voorberei is in ‘n baie beknopte kombuisie. Vergete Pioniers herleef dus die romantiek van die stoom jare op die Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë op feitlik alle vlakte en is n huldeblyk aan hierdie mense wat so n groot deel tot die ekonomiese groei van hierdie land bygedra het.

1.2 Die Skrywer: Neels Claasen Die skrywer, Neels Claasen het 26 jaar op die spoorweĂŤ gewerk en het die voorreg gehad om â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n groot deel van sy spoorwegloopbaan in die stoomera te kon beleef. Hy het ook die sterwensuur van stoom ervaar toe elektriese en diesel lokos begin oorneem het. Hy het sy loopbaan as stoker begin, later klerk geword en het jare as stasievoorman op die buitestasies diens gedoen. Hy was ook werksaam in die bedryfskantoor op Kroonstad voordat hy sy laaste vyf jaar in Vryheid in Natal as seniorverkeerskontroleur in die G.V.B. kantoor diens gesdoen het op die steenkoollyn na Richardsbaai toe. Hy het dus n grondige kennis van daardie tydperke en was dus instaat om n werklikheidsverhaal, soos dit was, uit sy pen te laat voortvloei. Neels verkoop hierdie 269 bladsy boek ook self teen R150 en kan die boek by hom bestel word by tel 0722663301.

2. J Dulez - The Book: Railways of Southern Africa 150 [Non-Fiction]

As the title implies, this book deals not only with the motive power and trains on the South African network, namely the South African Railways or SAR but also those of specific neighbouring 76

countries, namely Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia and Botswana, all of which have experienced various periods of SAR administration. In addition, some private railway systems are featured, which includes special sections on the provincial Gautrain and Kei Rail systems. Going back before Union in 1910, the obsolete motive power of the Central South African Railways (CSAR), Natal and Cape Governments Railways (NGR and CGR respectively) and the Transvaal railways (NZASM) also feature, since many of the steam locomotive classes from these administrations no longer existed after the SAR was formed in 1910. In recent years, the state controlled transport organisation has been restructured and its name changed to Transnet, with the railways division, initially known as “Spoornet”, later also changed to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). The book documents in great detail all the various designs and classes of steam locomotives to have been placed in service between the years 1860 and 1968, as well as the electric locomotive series (from 1925) and diesel locomotives range from 1938. In addition, the electric multiple unit designs (EMU) for the high density commuter services have also been given due recognition, an area ignored by most previous publications on the subject of railways in South Africa. This service now falls under the Department of Transport: the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) which now encompasses the long distance Shosholoza Meyl and upmarket Premier Class passenger services, as well as the world famous luxury Blue Train operation. Metrorail is the operator of the commuter services. The author, Jean Dulez, railway photographer since 1964 and also video producer since the early 1980s, has left no stone unturned in coverage of all the relevant subject matter. In total, over ten years of research, accumulation of photographic material and information has been amassed, with the assistance of prominent authorities within various areas of the topics of Southern African motive power and railways; specifically Richard Clatworthy, Les Pivnic, Tony Elliot, Leith Paxton, John Middleton and the late Malcolm Bates, to mention but a few of the major contributors. In addition the above mentioned, other well known photographers of the Southern African railway scene have also provided contributions, namely Peter Stow, Eugene Armer, Dennis Moore, Charlie Lewis, David Benn, Bill Botkin and yet several more. The former Transnet Heritage archive collection (now functioning under the TFR library) has provided an invaluable source of photographs and drawings, as such also containing the collections of Frank Holland and Frank Garrison. The collections of the late Dusty Durrant and Boon Boonzaaier have also been sourced in order to provide many more railway images. The book contains many unpublished photographs and comprises:

• 416 pages, 30cmx24cm format, hard cover 77

• • • •

Approximately 848 black and white photographs and 885 colour images 391 technical drawings 11 special regional maps by Bruno Martin 23 major tabular reference layouts

We believe that this is the most comprehensive technical book on this subject, dealing with the entire period 1860 to 2011, to have appeared to date and deserves a prominent place in any Southern African railway enthusiast’s library.

2.1 The DVD programme: South African Railways 150 Years

For those who cannot spend the time reading or who would like to see some action of the type of scenes statically depicted in our hard copy publication, Vidrail have released a twin DVD disc 450 minute mega programme. This presentation, therefore, complements the book “Railways of Southern Africa 150” but may also be viewed entirely on its own. 78

The two part programme commences with a review of the ancient steam locomotives of the very first standard gauge railway companies in the Cape and Natal colonies, followed by the development of steam motive power under the various regional governments in South Africa. This followed the decision, taken in 1875, to continue railway construction according to a narrower track gauge, namely the so called “Cape” (1067mm). The main operations took place under the Cape, Natal and Transvaal government railway administrations (CGR, NGR and NZASM). The latter, together with the Orange Free State railway, were operated by the Central South African Railways or CSAR after the end of the Anglo-Boer War, in 1902. Following amalgamation of the previous four regional governments into the Union of South Africa in 1910, all the regional railways were further consolidated into the South African Railways or SAR. This state transport organisation has recently been restructured, as detailed above. In addition, this review has a look at some private and provincial systems, such as the various mines and the recently opened Gautrain system. These developments are in line with what has been outlined for the book itself. However, the DVD programme focuses specifically on the railway systems within South Africa itself, with the other countries in the region (Swaziland, Namibia and Botswana) being featured in some detail within various of our other video programmes (details on request) The SAR and Transnet locomotive classes featured are as follows (both through static records or movie sequences, wherever possible):

• Steam : Classes A to K, 1 to 26, S to S2, KM, MA to MJ, GA to GO, FD, FC, HF, U, NG1 to NGG16 and also various unclassed locomotives prior to 1910 • Diesel: Classes DS, 31 to 43, 61 and 91 • Electric: Classes ES, 1E to 19E • Electric Multiple Units (EMU): 1M to 10M series The presentation also features much interesting archive movie film action, as well as more recent general video review of both steam and modern trains in operation around the country. This extensive presentation, therefore, provides one of the best balanced and broadest coverage of the railway scene in the country, both past and present. Hence, recommended are our other programmes: Twin Steel through Namibia; Modern Traction in Southern Africa; Best of S A Steam 1983-1990; SAR Railway Roundabout (from 1990), full listing on request. In addition, for interest further afield , productions on Zimbabwe steam are also available, which would supplement the section on Botswana, whose railway system fell under both Rhodesian and Zimbabwian national railways administration for a long period, from 1899 until 1982. 79

2.3 SAR 150th Anniversary Postage Stamps and First Day Covers The author was privileged to have worked on this 2010 stamp issue design and artwork, in conjunction with the late Boon Boonzaaier and the well known S A Post Office stamp design artist, Hein Botha. Some of the images in the book were in fact employed as subjects for the final locomotive and train scenes. We have a limited stock of these also available for resale. Stamp sheetlets, comprising ten designs, featuring steam and modern traction, plus marginal drawings R60 per sheetlet. Set of two first day covers, with five of the above stamps on each, plus information card R60 per set. Other train/locomotive sets from the region are also available on request.

2.4 Railway Postcards We have stock of approximately 40 different Vidrail and other SAR/NRZ (Zimbabwe) postcards also available at R10 per set of 4 different cards. Details on request (or check our Website) ORDER FORM AND DETAILS Name and address _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Tel No_______________Postal Code____________email_________________ Please supply the following: (Prices exclude VAT, where applicable) Book: _ copies of Railways of Southern Africa 150 at R470 per copy …..………..Total R DVD: _ copies of South African Railways 150 Years at R250 per set .……………Total R Special Offer: _ sets of SAR 150 Book and DVD at special price of R600 /set…Total.R Stamps _ commemorative SAR150 mint sheetlets at R60 per sheet…………....Total R _ first day covers (set of two) at R60 per set…………………...………...Total R Postcards_ sets of 4 cards (specific subject/ref) at R10……..…………………….Total R Add postage:

R60 within South Africa for book + DVD etc or R20 for DVD/stamps/cards alone. (overseas rates on request)……………………………………………………………..R VAT .......................................................................................................................(exempt) Grand Total

Payments Direct deposit to account JA Dulez, Standard Bank of SA Branch code (01) 8305 Account No: 02 249 283 6 Cheques: (made out to JA Dulez) please post to: Vidrail, P O Box 75169, Garden View, 2047, South Africa Email: enquiries@vidrail.co.za Website: www.vidrail.co.za Telephone +27 11 454 2350 Mobile +27 83 441 5488 Credit cards will only be processed for overseas orders; please supply card number (Visa & M/Card only), expiry date and 3 digit security code on reverse of card; for security it is recommended that these details be phoned in directly Please allow 2-3 weeks for local delivery. International: airmail 2-3 weeks and surface 8-10 weeks

Road Motor Transport Service [RMT]: Paystar Operational Area

Photo by Annabelle Erasmus 81

• Annabelle Erasmus Hi ..... dit [is] die enigste foto wat ek het, my swaer was die drywer van hierdie een. March 30 at 8:10pm Jack Geldenhuys Baie Dankie is regtig jammer is stuk geskiedenis baie onbekend tans en • daar bestaan nie baie data oor die trokke nie, veral in die kapasiteit. Daar is nie baiefoto materiaal nie. • Paul Mills Die vensters, deure ens. lyk baie na 'n Kwêvoel kapsule bo-op die Oshhie se chassis gemonteer..WNNR sal dalk hier kan help?

Grant Fryer Dit lyk meer as ‘n International, nie ‘n Oshkosh nie. Opgebou van ‘n Paystar 5000 Sunday at 7:09pm · Dries van der Merwe Ek gaan met jou saam stem Grant Fryer beslis 'n Paystar 5000 (wapen langs neus). Ronnie Beyl Dit is 'n Paystar het die trokke wat brandstof en voedselware tussen Tsumeb en Oshakati vervoer op die grens begelei. Steve Compion Ja, dit was nou wel gevaarlike tyd, maar lekker tye was dit ook. Het groot waardering vir PVD drywers gehad wat swaer voertuie noord van Tsumeb, Grootfontein en Outjo moes bestuur het. Het twee maande gelede via Kamanjab, Ruacana, Opuwe,Epupa valle, Sesfontein, Palmwag ens getoer. Nou is dit die rustigheid vanself. Dries van der Merwe Laat my dink aan 'n Busdrywer wat vreeslik geskrik het, maar die dag toe die RPG7s die brandstof tanker tref was hy die kalmte self volgens die bus assistent , 'n ent gery en die wa afgehaak en toe verder met die kop gery. Monday at 11:48am · Like · 1

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Loekie Jordaan Ronnie Beyl Was dit nie in jou konvooi nie? Ronnie Beyl Loekie dit was 'n ander geval as die kontak wat ons gehad het. 82

Koos JP Strydom Hierdie trokke het vêr oor 'n miljoen kilometers gedoen. Hulle het net aaan en aaan en aaan gegaan ...... natuurlik met gereelde versienings op die werkplaas in Tsumeb. Goeie ou dae gewees. English précis:

The photograph was placed on Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë, SA Railways, Ulolwe (sic) on the 30th of March and it is only now that we know what type of truck it is. Here members of the website have the benefit of many diverse railwaymen. Brigadier Ronnie Beyl formerly from the SAR Police served in the operational area to protect the interests of the SA Railways. [I know Koos Strydom was the driver of the armoured rail vehicle now standing at Windhoek railway station.] The vehicle in question has been identified as a Paystar 5000. These vehicles did more than a 1000000 kms. The route the RMT operated was from Tsumeb to Grootfontein and Outjo. The RMT in the operational area came under attack and the SAR Police, at the request of the SADF, served in the operational area and the SAR Police also protected the convoys. The SAR Police performed a Herculean Task not only in the Operational Area but also in the rest of the country and also was responsible fort he landward defence of eg Durban harbour. They were also the men responsible for safety on SAA. In this case the drivers of the RMT are also lauded by the members of the site. Our hats of to the men and women of the old SAR!

South African Airways -

SAA History -

Harbours -

Catering Division 83

Railway Police

Rhodesia Railways, National Railways of Zimbabwe – J Batwell

Steam on the Bulawayo-Plumtree line, 1990 – class 15 Garratt No. 416 heads through Westacre towards Bulawayo on its Down Line goods as the sun sets. Photo: J M Batwell.

Charging around the bend, near Sambawizi, with an Up Line goods load for Victoria Falls and beyond, class 15 Garratt No. 370, winter 1992. Photo: J M Batwell. Filler: See next page for lagter photo.

Memories of a steam-operated branch line in southern Matabelelandâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; a class 16A 2-8-2 + 28-2 heads towards Heany Junction with a load from Colleen Bawn. Photo: B Ayling. Filler see next page for larger photo and details.

An early morning Down Line train out of Thomson Junction to Dete â&#x20AC;&#x201C; class 15 4-6-4 + 4-6-4 Garratt No. 400 is pictured working hard, winter 1992. Photo: J M Batwell.

Railways: Tourism, Steam, Preservation, Societies & Clubs Rovos Rail: 25NC No 3533 King Zog â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Johannes Botha Filler: King Zog captured by Johannes Botha in Capital Park.

Memories: Bosveld Train Safaris â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HBH

Above: XWJ-2 47-011-300 at Upington on 29-3-2004 with intoxicating liquor - HBH

Railway Society of Southern Africa Natal – A Peter RAILWAY SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA NATAL

Founded 1960

P. O. BOX/POSBUS 33202, MONTCLAIR, 4061

SPOORWEGVERENIGING VAN SUIDELIKE AFRIKA NATAL

Dear Ashley Peter – thanks for the Natal Newsletter - HBH

Reefsteamers: Situation Reports – Lee Gates Dear Reefsteamers and Friends of Steam, Our Saturday morning photo shoot was a great success, even with the sun playing peek-aboo behind the morning clouds. It wasn’t even all that cold... Although we faced quite a few logistic challenges, including some stolen track sleepers and the 25NC locomotive that had to be retired overnight due to leaking fusible plugs, we made it and were able to field two distinctive locomotives as promised. We substituted the Class 15F No.3046 instead. The morning photo shoot was published with a full-page photo-spread in the Citizen Newspaper on Monday, 16th July. Although she had a sleepy firebox overnight, 15F 3046 ‘Janine’ performed well once she woke up, but she’s in regular service anyway. But the mean green machine, GMAM 4079 ‘Lyndie Lou’ fired up well and did beautifully in spite of being out of service for many months. Sandstone’s double-jointed Heffalump certainly impressed the photographers! The photo-shoot in general, and the ability to overcome the challenges, was only possible by the efforts of a team of dedicated people. Some of them were on duty for over 36 hours, while others worked all night and went in to their revenue-earning work on Saturday. We were literally shunting until 1:35 in the morning – and some guys knocked off at 2:15am and were back on duty by 5:30am. That’s dedication! We will be having a work-party on both this Saturday and Sunday to help prepare the Depot for the Open Day, and there is a lot of work to be done! Much more work than required for the aforementioned photo shoot! During investigation of a recent theft incident, the Depot’s Full Time Staff (except Oom Attie de Necker) have been suspended and are not allowed on site at all. So there is a lot of extra ‘back ground’ work that the members will need to do to get the locomotives sorted out and the old steam depot safe n’ tidy for our coming visitors. 89

While there will obviously be some locomotive work taking place, a lot of the work is to be non-technical work which doesn’t require specialist fitting and machining skills, just a willing pair of hands. Please make a plan to come and get involved, even if only for half a day. We plan to have ‘hover-wors’ rolls for lunch. The new Reefsteamers tradition of ‘Hover Wors’ was co-invented by Cousin Rob and The Mini-Mienie; and comprises of a standard boerewors cooked on a genuine forge with a working air supply. The worsies float ½ inch above the braai grid *, hence the name. Bring along R20 or so to chip in for lunch stuff. Don’t worry if you really can’t afford it, as we always tend to over cater anyway! We hope to see you there! Lee Gates Stubbornly unrepentant ferro-equinologist ! Owns 1:12 scale 10BR No.751 ‘Little Empress.' Steam Power – It’s the Wheel Thing!

Dear Reefsteamers and Friends of Steam, Now that we Reefsteamers can draw a collective breath from hosting our VERY successful Depot Open Day last Saturday, we are pleased to announce that we will be running another one of our popular beer-tasting trains in just a few weeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. We are running our next beer tasting train on Saturday, 25th August 2012. [See page 95 - HBH] The beer tasting and associated sales will be conducted by the De Garve Micro Brewery, who specialize in a varied range of hand-crafted beers. The steam-hauled train will be running from Johannesburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Station through to Magaliesburg and return. The attached brochure should cover everything that you need to know about the steam train. The brochure also announces some of the venues and activities available at

Magaliesburg, including where to get that important mid-day meal to lay down on top of your beer! ď &#x160; Bookings are essential! Please contact us at bookings@reefsteamers.com or (011) 025-4363. Please do not reply to me [Lee Gates] on this email as I am just passing on the notice and I am not in the position to assist you with bookings.

Umgeni Steam Railway: GMAM 4074 -

Patonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Railway -

Patons Country Railway Annual Aloe Train Trips -

Umgeni Steam Railway - Ashley Peter -

Friends of the Rail Before steam? Red Africander oxen belonging to Hansie Sturgeon [Rovos Rail] at the Voortrekker Monument - Johannes Botha

Sandstone: Lee Gates

JB Tours: Treintoere in Suider Afrika -

Railwayana -

South African Models Scalecraft: - Adrian Hill

Dream Trains – Wynand Vermeulen 16 Besembos Avenue, Pellissier, 9301 Bloemfontein, South Africa PO Box 32882, Fichardtpark, 9317

www.dreamtrains.co.za

Railway Modellers’ Information Group: Contact Details

From the Press - Train crash: Body parts strewn over 200m 2012-07-13 12:03 Johannesburg - Emergency personnel are having a difficult time counting the number of dead at an Mpumalanga level crossing accident because body parts were ripped apart and strewn over 200m, police said on Friday. The accident happened when a coal train ploughed into a truck carrying farmworkers at a level crossing near Hectorspruit. At least 19 people were killed. A spokesperson for Mpumalangaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community safety department told AFP it appears that more than 30 people were killed. "It is a very gruesome scene. Some bodies are without heads and some without limbs. Forensic teams are still working on the scene," police spokesperson Joseph Mabusa said. The truck was carried 200 metres by the impact, leaving body parts in its wake and making it hard for forensic experts to say how many people were killed, he added. "The driver was taken to hospital. His condition is unknown. It's difficult to say what happened but at this stage it seems that the truck miscalculated as it was crossing the railway line." Emergency services said at least 24 other people were injured, some of them critically. 99

State rail operator Transnet said the train was carrying coal for export to Mozambique, but there was no derailment. The coal was destined for the Indian Ocean port of Maputo. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Train-crash-Body-parts-strewn-over-200m20120713

- Trein tref lorrie: dodetal styg tot 20 2012-07-13 12:00 Die dodetal nadat 'n vragmotor wat plaaswerkers vervoer het Vrydagoggend deur 'n trein getref is, het tot 20 gestyg nadat nog 'n beseerde slagoffer beswyk het.Die ongeluk het by 'n spooroorgang by Hectorspruit in Mpumalanga gebeur. Die treinspoor is reg langs die N4tolpad.Nóg 23 mense is beseer, van hulle kritiek.Dit is nog nie duidelik presies wat gebeur het nie, het Jeff Wicks van Netcare 911 gesê. Dit wil voorkom asof die vragmotor probeer het om oor die treinspoor te ry toe die trein hulle getref het.Die vragmotor is sowat 40 m meegesleur voordat die trein tot stilstand gekom het. Die impak van die botsing het die voertuig oopgekloof.Volgens ooggetuies is liggame uitmekaar geruk en nooddienspersoneel is deur 'n gru-toneel begroet waar lyke, liggame en liggaamsdele oor 'n groot gebied en op die treinspoor gelê het. Die beseerdes is na hospitale in die omgewing geneem. – Netcare 911 http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/19-sterf-toe-trein-lorrietref-20120713

- Death toll rises in Mpumalanga train crash The death toll following a collision between a train and truck in Mpumalanga on Friday morning had reached 26 by late afternoon, the department of public enterprise said. "The minister is deeply saddened by what transpired at 7am this morning," said Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba's spokesperson, Mayihlone Tshwete. Gigaba sent his condolences to the families of those killed. Netcare 911 spokesperson Jeffrey Wicks said the truck was carrying farm workers on the N4 when it collided with the train at a level crossing between Malelane and Hectorspruit. Tshwete said Gigaba believed the incident illustrated the dangers of irresponsible driving, which allegedly caused the crash. Gigaba and Transnet officials had visited the scene and were satisfied that all level crossing safety measures were in place at the time of the crash.

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Clear signals were in place and the train driver "even hooted to let the [truck] driver know that he was approaching". Sharing responsibility There was no indication of negligence on the part of the train driver, Tshwete said. "Officials and those who saw [the] accident are deeply affected by what happened." Gigaba urged law enforcement agencies to address the root cause of the crash, Tshwete said. He said the farmer should be questioned if he were responsible for transporting the workers, as it appeared that "a number of laws were broken in this regard". The farmer and the truck driver should share responsibility for the tragedy. Colonel Leonard Hlathi said the truck driver had been detained and would face murder charges in the Tonga Magistrate's Court on Monday. Speedy recovery Transport Minister Ben Martins extended his condolences to the friends and family of those who were killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery. "We are deeply saddened by this terrible occurrence that has claimed so many lives," he said. The department was gravely concerned about fatal crashes at rail crossings, which was why some crossings were now being monitored via closed circuit television cameras. The Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) were assisting investigations into the cause of the crash. The RAF would also help the bereaved families and the injured with injury claim and funeral arrangement assessments. Authorities would investigate all of the possible causes of the crash. "We urge motorists, pedestrians and train drivers alike to exercise extreme caution at all times at these crossings," said Martins. Poor labour practices Congress of South African Trade Unions spokesperson Patrick Craven said the accident was an example of poor labour practices. 101

"This terrible tragedy exposes once again the scandal of workers being transported in open trucks. "In a country where drivers and passengers of cars are legally obliged to wear seatbelts, how can we tolerate workers being transported with absolutely no protection in the event of an accident?" he asked. He called for a full inquiry into the cause of the accident. Transnet tweeted that the truck had been carrying 44 passengers. "We would like to extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of those whose lives were lost and a speedy recovery to the injured," it said. Provincial community safety department spokesman Joseph Mabuza said the train dragged the truck for about 200 metres, leaving bodies with limbs missing scattered on the ground. "No injuries to the train crew or damage to the train or [railway] infrastructure were registered," he said. Condolences pour in The RSR said the train was carrying coal from Witbank to Maputo. Safety inspectors were at the scene. Condolences poured in for the families of the crash victims. Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi expressed sadness at the accident. "One death is one too many. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the farm workers." The Democratic Alliance wished the injured a speedy recovery. Spokesman Mmusi Maimane said efforts should be redoubled to increase safety at level crossings. "My colleague in Mpumalanga, DA provincial leader Anthony Benadie, will be taking this matter up in the provincial legislature. Incidents like these should not be happening in South Africa," he said. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sapa http://mg.co.za/article/2012-07-13-death-toll-rises-in-mpumalanga-train-crash

- Man aangekla nĂĄ 26 se gru-dood 2012-07-13; 23:08; Gerhard Pretorius, Buks Viljoen en Sapa

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JOHANNESBURG. – Die bestuurder van ’n vragmotor het gister ná ’n botsing teen ’n trein in Mpumalanga wat 26 lewens geëis het, daaruit geklim met oorfone in sy ore, het ’n ooggetuie gesê. “Die trein het ’n paar keer getoet, maar die lorrie het nie gestop nie,” het Killion Mhlongo, ’n werker by die Securicor Laeveld-veiligheidsmaatskappy, aan Volksblad vertel. Die 32-jarige vragmotorbestuurder is in hegtenis en word van moord aangekla. Mhlongo het gister omstreeks 08:00 pas langs die N4-tolpad naby Hectorspruit by ’n spooroorgang agter die Toyota Dyna-vragmotor stilgehou toe die trein dit tref. Van die minstens 49 werkers agterop is 19 op slag dood. Teen laatmiddag het nog sewe aan hul beserings beswyk. “Ek het myself doodgeskrik toe die trein die lorrie vol mense getref het,” het Mhlongo gesê. “Ek het uitgespring om te gaan help, maar ek het net drie mense gesien beweeg. “Ek het dadelik my baas gebel en gesê hy moet die polisie en die ambulanse laat kom, want daar is baie mense dood.” Die trein het 60 trokke vol steenkool gehad. Met die botsing het die vragmotor onder die trein beland. Dit is sowat 200m ver saamgesleep. Die trein kon eers sowat ’n kilometer verder tot stilstand kom. Die mans en vroue op die vragmotor het blykbaar op ’n nabygeleë plaas gewerk. Ben Martins, minister van vervoer, het in ’n verklaring gesê die Padongelukkefonds sal die gesinne van die oorledenes en die beseerdes bystaan met eise vir rehabilitasie en geld vir die begrafnisse. Hy, asook Jimmy Manyi, kabinetswoordvoerder, Transnet en die DA het ook hul medelye uitgespreek. - Volksblad http://www.volksblad.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Man-aangekla-na-26-se-gru-dood-20120713 103

- Train-truck crash: Fedusa asks Nedlac to intervene 2012-07-14 13:37 Fedusa will ask Nedlac to consider additional measures to curb accidents at railway crossings, the trade union has said. This is after 26 people were killed when a train hit a truck full of farm workers in Mpumalanga yesterday. The truck had been carrying the workers on the N4 between Malelane and Hectorspruit. The train hit the truck and then dragged it for about 200m. “We will ask the executive director Mr Alistar Smith, to reconstitute the Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council) standing committee to consider additional measures and steps to prevent these unnecessary and avoidable accidents from happening,” the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) general secretary Dennis George said in a statement today. He said there had been a rise in fatalities because of accidents on railway crossings with 45 deaths between 2010 and 2011. In 2009, Fedusa filed a Section 77 in terms of the Labour Relations Act with Nedlac. “Fedusa asked the authorities for their urgent intervention to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists at railway level crossings are secured,” said George. Reacting to the Mpumalanga accident, President Jacob Zuma yesterday said he was saddened by the news. Public Enterprise Minister Malusi Gigaba believed the accident illustrated the dangers of irresponsible driving, which allegedly caused the crash. He urged law enforcement agencies to address the root cause of the crash. Congress of SA Trade Unions spokesperson Patrick Craven said the accident was an example of poor labour practices.

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The department of transport said it was gravely concerned about fatal crashes at rail crossings, which was why some crossings were now being monitored via closed circuit television cameras. - SAPA http://www.citypress.co.za/SouthAfrica/News/Train-truck-crash-Fedusa-asks-Nedlac-tointervene-20120714

- Govt conveys condolences to victims of Mpumalanga accident Jimmy Manyi - 15 July 2012 Up to 27 killed as train drives into truck carrying farmworkers.

- Government conveys condolences to victims of train and truck crash 13 Jul 2012 Government conveys its condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones in a tragic accident between a train and a truck in Mpumalanga today (see report). Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi said, "Government is deeply saddened by this incident. One death is one too many. Our prayers and thoughts are with families of the farmworkers who were in a truck that collided with a goods train at a level crossing between Hectorspruit and Malalane. We also wish the people who were injured in this accident a speedy recovery". Manyi said government also commends the emergency service staff for their swift response to this tragedy, and transporting of those injured to the nearest hospitals. Statement issued by Jimmy Manyi, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), July 13 2012 http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=312603&sn= Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389

- Trein tref lorrie: Drywer bly in sel 2012-07-17 21:46 - Aletta Otto

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Barberton. – Die man wat die vragmotor bestuur het wat verlede week met rampspoedige gevolge voor ’n trein by Hectorspruit in Mpumalanga ingery het, is gister “vir sy eie veiligheid” borgtog geweier. 25 mense is in die ongeluk dood en 25 beseer. Gemoedere in die gemeenskap is tans gaande, het lt. Patrick Banda, ondersoekbeampte, gister in die Barberton-landdroshof getuig. Hy vrees ’n aanslag uit die gemeenskap op George Manuel Mandlazi (32) se lewe. Volgens hom sal dit sal beter sal wees om Mandlazi eers nadat die slagoffers begrawe is op borgtog vry te laat. Mandlazi staan tereg op 25 aanklagte van moord. Landdros Lucky Mhlanga het die saak tot 14 Augustus uitgestel. Mandlazi kan dan met getuienis vorendag kom vir moontlike vrylating op borgtog. Hy moet sielkundige hulp kry om die trauma van die ongeluk sowel as die dreigemente uit die gemeenskap te verwerk. Elize van Rooyen, staatsaanklaer, het gesê Mandlazi is ’n vlugrisiko omdat hy geen vaste eiendom het nie, gereeld by familie in Mosambiek gaan kuier en dalk sal vlug om selfmoord te pleeg. Daar is in die borgtogaansoek bevestig dat Mandlazi ’n kode 14-rybewys en ’n openbarevervoerpermit het. Op ’n vraag van Wander Nkosi, sy regsverteenwoordiger, oor hoekom hy borgtog moet kry, het Mandlazi net gesê: “Ek weet nie hoekom ek hier is nie. Die ongeluk is nie met opset veroorsaak nie, ek wou die mense net by hul werk kry.”

- Moving ceremony for 24 farm workers More than 18000 mourners yesterday attended the mass funeral of the 24 farm workers who died after their truck was hit by a train at a level crossing last week. (22 Jul 2012) http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/ • That works out to about 750 mourners per farm worker? 106

- Goed vasgevat op die Gautrein deur Hans van Brummeria skryf: 2012-07-25 21:27 Die berig “Kou op Gautrein kos jou R700” (Beeld, 21 Julie) het betrekking. Ek was onlangs op die Gautrein en wat ’n lekker ondervinding was dit nie. Dis baie opvallend hoe alles ordelik op die Gautrein-stasies verloop. Dié mense is trots op wat hulle doen. Ek het self tydens die rit aanskou hoe oortreders van die reëls vasgevat word. ’n Man en vrou was met die Gautrein op pad Rosebank toe, toe ’n personeellid van die trein die vrou beleef vra om nie haar koeldrank op die trein te drink nie. Haar manlike metgesel, wat duidelik ongemaklik daaroor was, vlieg toe op en trap die arme personeellid uit dat die spoeg so spat deur sy kougom. Om net ná sy spoegspattende kougomtirade te hoor as hy nie ontslae raak van sy kougom nie, het hy ook probleme! Hierna het hy soos ’n geprikte ballon afgeblaas en die res van die rit doodstil gesit! Die Gautrein is ’n toonbeeld van orde wat sy passasiers gemoedsrus en gerief verskaf. Vir arrogante oortreders behoort daar geen genade te wees nie. http://www.beeld.com/MyBeeld/Briewe/Goed-vasgevat-op-die-Gautrein-20120725

Trein tref man, hond by Stellenbosch 2012-07-23 13:15 - Alet Janse Van Rensburg 'n Jong man van Kaapstad is dood toe hy vanoggend deur 'n trein buite Stellenbosch raakgery is. Die ongeluk het omstreeks 10:45 tussen die Du Toits- en Koelenhof-stasies naby die R304 in die rigting van Kaapstad plaasgevind. Die man en 'n vriendin het glo met vriende se hond gaan stap toe dié by die spoorlyn opgehardloop het. Hy het die hond probeer red toe die trein hom getref het. Hulle was glo deel van 'n groep vriende wat die naweek in 'n nabygeleë huis gekuier het. Lees meer in Die Burger môre.

SA RAILWAY RELATED INTERNET GROUPS • Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe (sic) Visit our website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/74709226744/ It is an “open group” on the railways in South Africa. Keep abreast with the latest developments of the railways in South Africa. It was started by Hennie Heymans some years ago. Johannes Marais is 107

co-administrator. No politics or no language questions. Keep it simple: only one thing on the agenda: Railways in Southern Africa. 641 Members

• Yahoo: SAR-Miniatures – Adrian Hill Please join us on our mailing list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sar-miniatures/join We not only talk about modelling SAR but also about modelling in general. The list is free of politics and bickering and our aim is not only to advance SAR modelling but also to exchange ideas and techniques.

• Facebook: ‘RHODESIA RAILWAY’ Group - John Batwell A recent innovation on Facebook has been the start and rapid development of a RHODESIA RAILWAYS site. Started by former railway employee Eddie Roussot, the site has grown in leaps and bounds and has over 260 members already and a plethora of photographs which depict the historical milestones and development of the small country’s railway since those pioneering days back in 1897. Besides photos of stations, sidings, locomotives of all types of traction, there are a number of photos posted too depicting the human resources of the railway. The facility has enabled so many folk spread far and wide across the world to reunite electronically and share their nostalgic and contemporary photographic records and short comments of another time and age working on one of Southern Africa’s most efficient rail systems. The facility also enables technical questions to be shared and responses offered, new publications to be marketed, as well as a catch-up time with old friends and work colleagues of yesteryear.

• Website for Reefsteamers: Lee Gates You can find the latest information (albeit a bit scattered) on the 15F 2914 on our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/387773301244867/

• Well worth a look Reefsteamers Website is : www.reefsteamers.com Reefsteamers Page is : www.facebook.com/groups/reefsteamers/ Reefsteamers Locomotive Restoration Project Page (15F 2914) is: www.facebook.com/groups/387773301244867/

• Andre Kritzinger André Kritzinger, Cape Town, Website: http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/grela/chessie01.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_of_South_Africa 108

http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/ http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=12115 •

Adrian Hill says:

“Take a look at my website www.scalecraft.co.za “ Railway Groups not mentioned above: You are welcome to ad your group’s particulars here ...

OMV 5 - Captured by Johannes Botha near Elandsfontein.

Angola: Anton van Schalkwyk Map: Bruno Martin

Cubal Cubal first town (on map) from Lobito 109

Cubal Steam Shed - Yesterday and today

Anton furnished the above photograph by Peter Bagshawe. Below the same sight today.

Photo by Anton van Schalkwyk

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The Cubal photos are virtually (given a month) exactly 40 years apart! â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Anton van Schalkwyk. â&#x20AC;˘

More next moth!

CFM: Lourenco Marques or Maputo -

Filler

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Pandoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Box Anything can come out of Pandoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Box; here are some pictures we received this month:

German Armoured Train [WW1]

US captured German Armoured Tain [WW2]

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Oh Gaats!

Mail Bag Les Pivnic, Australia Thanks for another interesting edition. I marvel at the way in which you put such interesting stuff together in each and every issue. The article by Johan Jacobs on Troop Trains brought back memories of my own journey between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom on a troop train in January 1953.

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I was posted to the SSB - Special Service Battalion - a tank corps, when called up to do my military service. I was told to report to the Parade Grounds opposite the Drill Hall c/r Twist and Plein Streets in Johannesburg. All us rookies gathered there in our civvies - each with a little suitcase for personal effects. It didn't take long to hear the command to "form up" before marching off to the Johannesburg Station. We must have looked a sorry sight, marching along de Villiers Street to the Station, all out of time and waving our arms to different levels! Lots of training was going to be needed with this lot! When we got there, a 15F was already coupled on to a mixed bunch of coaches of various types and classes. By sheer chance, I found myself bundled into a type 0-37, 2nd class coach that had been converted from a type B-2 lounge car that had worked on the Union Limited in earlier years. The glass interior partitions were still in place with longitudinal seats backing onto the windows. In 8 years time this coach would again be converted at Bloemfontein Shops to a lounge car for service on trains 202/3 and 192/199. Under normal conditions I would have been thrilled to ride in this interesting vehicle but going to do a three months stint at Potch, wasn't my idea of fun! We also had the PF Military Police watching our train initially at Johannesburg and also at the couple of stops en route. They were there (in those days) to make sure that WE didn't desert the train - there was no terrorist threat back in the 1950s - not that we knew of anyway! The 15F made good speed all the way to Potch and we soon pulled into Safarcamp, just short of Potch Station and then the "vloekwoorde" started to flow thick and fast! We were ordered to get our butts off the train and into Ford and Chev lorries that were lined up waiting to take us to the camp. We were to be the first group of "Citizen Force" rookies that were going to be trained by SADF Permanent Force staff and they didn't take long to make us feel that we had landed in Hades! Once established in our bungalows and issued with military kit, we were given shovels and picks and marched to an open piece of veld the very next morning and told - "See this piece of veld manne? - This is going to be your parade ground!!! Start clearing the weeds and bushes - by tonight, it has to be kaalgat - Hoor!!"

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This all happened in January under blistering heat and many of the rookies who hadn't been out in the sun, developed blisters on their necks - some even needed treatment in the Sick Bay! I would hear brand new class 25NCs whistling for the numerous level crossing in the vicinity of Potch Military Camp - those whistles only served to make me very homesick! In those days, Klerksdorp 25NCs worked through to Welverdiend - 60 miles west of Johannesburg. That was the one train journey in my life that I would rather forget! Regards Les • Thanks Les, what an interesting letter from a true ferro-equinologist!

Photo: Johannes Botha

Stop Press: The Puff Adder I know this is off topic, but it is something that can affect each and every one of us, especially along railway lines. Even on a Bosveld Train Safari a puff adder bit a passenger – it was fortunately a “dry-bite”. The fangs got hooked on her jean. A puff adder bit one of our friends, Dr Chris van Ginkel. Chris is an environmentalist and also a model train collector. He started his working career working with snakes in the Pretoria Zoo. As a child he was a snake-catcher. He knowns snakes! Last week we went for a walk in the park and it was the first time Chris had put shoes on, after the bite about 6 months ago! Share with us Chris’ story: 115

Fotoverslag en raad na ‘n werklike slanpik-ervaring Chris van Ginkel

Fig 1. Die stranderf in die Oos Kaap (Cannon Rocks) waar alles begin het op 12 Januarie 2012. My seun Cobus besig om ‘n voetpaadjie onder die bome in oop te kap. Hy is kaalvoet en was gelukkig om nie self onder die pofadder deur te loop nie. Kort hierna is ek aan die linkerkuit gepik. In die skemer kon ek nie ‘n slang sien nie en het aanvanklik gemeen dat ‘n afgekapte tak teruggespring en my baie seer gekrap het!

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Fig 2. Die been sowat 30 ure na die slangbyt in Bloemfontein MediClinic. Massiewe weefselskade en pyn wat jou laat duisel en naar word!

Fig 3. Die eerste week moes die infeksie met anti-biotika gestuit word.

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Fig 4. Die been nadat begin is om besmette weefsel onder operasie te verwyder in Universitas Akademiese Hospitaal in Bloemfontein. Aanvanklik wou hul die been tot in die heup afsit maar ek het gelukkig geweier. Baie eenhede bloed was nodig om bloedverliese teĂŤ te werk.

Fig 5. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Reeks veloorplantings volg om die been weer op te bou. Daar was in totaal sowat agt operasies nodig gewees tydens die hospitalisasie van 6 weke.

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Fig 6. Hierna volg tuisverpleging deur die gesinslede wat sommer gou reggekom het.

Fig 7.

Die proses om tuis aan te sterk en depressie te oorwin.

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Fig 8. Die wonde genees maar die letsels aan die psige neem langer om te herstel. Voorkom eerder slanbyt deur lang kouse en ‘n langbroek wat los bo-oor die stewels hang te dra. Indien kamaste beskikbaar is dra dit ook. Die kouse kan baie gif absorbeer en die kledingstukke kan die pik verhoed of die penetrasie-diepte verminder. Trap eerder bo-op klippe en stompe as oor hulle waar jy nie kan sien nie. Leer die giftige reptiele en spinnekoppe ken. Indien jy wel gepik word, bly kalm en probeer die slang identifiseer. Neem ‘n foto of bring die dooie slang saam waar moontlik. Moenie op die pikwond snye maak of ‘n toeniket aanbring nie. Moenie ‘n koue kompres gebruik nie. Indien beskikbaar immobiliseer die ledemaat deur vanaf die bytplek in die rigting van die hart ‘n rekverband aan te bring. Moenie tyd mors met allerlei boererate of goedkoop advies nie. Neem antihistamien indien beskikbaar om latere allergie teen slangserum teë te werk en die asemhaling te normaliseer. Moenie iets anders per mond inneem nie. Beweeg na mediese hulp. Bly wakker en versoek helpers om jou wakker te hou. Indien bewussyn verloor word by mediese sentrum moet kunsmatige asemhalingsapparaat dadelik gekoppel word. Hou daarmee vol al lyk dit asof daar breinskade is. Baie medici is onkundig oor slangbyt en wil by die bytplek inspuit. Inspuitings moet liefs weg van die bytplek en binne-aars toegedien word. Antiserum is nodig vir die kobras en mambas (senugiwwe) asook vir die bloedgiwwe (boomslang en twygslang). Pofaddergif veroorsaak weefselskade en vloeistofverlies wat tot skokreaksies en die dood kan lei. Vervang vloeistowwe per binne-aarse drup en doen bloedvervanging soos nodig. Bloeddruk val gewoonlik skerp, veral tydens operasies. Bestel vroegtydig bloed van die geskikte bloedgroep. Die wonde is vergelykbaar met diep brandwonde en vereis veloorplantings en uitgerekte sorg en oefening. Die hospitalisasie-proses met morfien en kodein toedienings veroorsaak dikwels probleme soos hallusinasies en koorsagtige drome en die ongewone ure en half-uurlikse monitering veroorsaak ontwrigting van slaappatrone en neerslagtigheid na ontslag vanuit die hospitaal. Wees daarop bedag. Dit is nou 6 maande na die gebeure en ek is steeds nie heeltemal in roetine nie. Beste wense Chris Van Ginkel

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

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On the Blue Train and goodbye from Henennman in the Free State – J & J Wepener

The next issue of “The Ulolwe” will be Vol 3 No 9 and will be published, DV, sometime during September 2012. Please send in your comments, anecdotes and photographs. Take care! Issue / Volgende Uitgawe Stuur solank u stories, herinneringe en eie foto’s aan heymanshb@gmail.com in jpg-formaat Hennie Heymans – Pretoria, ZA

2012

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