SAS-SAR vol 8 no 12 by Hennie Heymans, Nongqai Publications

SAS-SAR Vol 8 No 12 Contents PUBLISHER / UITGEWER .............................................................................................................. 3 SUBCRIPTION / INTEKENARE ....................................................................................................... 3 PREVIOUS EDITIONS / VORIGE UITGAWES................................................................................ 3 AIM / DOEL ...................................................................................................................................... 3 COPYRIGHT.................................................................................................................................... 3 ONGOING PROJECTS.................................................................................................................... 4 WELKOM / WELCOME ................................................................................................................... 4 FRONT COVER / VOORBLAD ........................................................................................................ 4 CSAR “Train de Luxe”............................................................................................................... 4 EDITORIAL / REDAKSIONEEL ....................................................................................................... 4 “ELIZABETH”: HENK VAN HEERDEN ............................................................................................ 5 Navorsing: “Elizabeth” destyds Johannesburg Munisipaliteit .................................................... 6 HANNETJIE TERBLANCHE SE TREINE ........................................................................................ 7 Reefsteamers: 15F Vreni No 3046 ........................................................................................... 7 BRIEWEBUS / LETTER BOX .......................................................................................................... 9 1939: Major Derailment at Dal Josafat: Mr Les Pivnic .............................................................. 9 1939: Major Derailment at Dal Josafat: Mr Peter Stow ............................................................. 9 15E 2858: Railway Circle: AE Arnold ...................................................................................... 11 MEDIA ........................................................................................................................................... 11 City Council’s offer to accept responsibility for Cape Town’s Commuter rail service 12 Choo-Tjoe Back on Track.......................................................................................... 13 Mosselbaai Advertiser: Tubby Myburg ...................................................................... 15 ANGLO BOER WAR / ANGLO BOERE-OORLOG ........................................................................ 16 Foto’s ontvang van Morten Kriek / Photos received from Morten Kriek .................................. 16 Princess Christian’s Hospital Train ......................................................................................... 18 Photos from Dr. Tian Schutte / Foto’s ontvang van dr. Tian Schutte ...................................... 19 Heidelberg 1895 ..................................................................................................................... 24 1893 First train departs from Pretoria ..................................................................................... 24 1895: Opening of Eastern Line ............................................................................................... 25 ABW: Nico Moolman ............................................................................................................... 26 Diagrams: Armoured Trains: Leith Paxton .............................................................................. 27 1916: MILITARY TRAIN: “THE NONGQAI” ................................................................................... 29 INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 30 SAR Goraas: Manuel Ferreira ................................................................................................ 30 1

Train Cemetery, Bolivia........................................................................................................... 33 1935: SAR: HUISGENOOT............................................................................................................ 34 SOME HISTORICAL PHOTOS BY KEN LIVERMORE .................................................................. 34 SAS: RAMP: EFFINGHAMWEG .................................................................................................... 38 Effinghamweg-treinramp: Dinsdag: 5 Oktober 1965: Hennie Heymans .................................. 42 WESTERN CAPE: WAYNE NAUSCHUTZ .................................................................................... 43 ONCE UPON A TRAIN: NATHAN BERELOWITZ ......................................................................... 49 JP MEYER: MORTIMER: EASTERN CAPE .................................................................................. 55 NOEL WELCH: EASTERN CAPE .................................................................................................. 58 JACO HOLTZHAUSEN: THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE............................................................... 58 LANGS DIE SPOOR: HANNETJIE TERBLANCHE SCHOEMAN ................................................. 59 TOETSRYTUIG NO 15089 TEST COACH: MARTIN NEL ............................................................ 60 JAPIE TERBLANCHE: VERBY MY VENSTER.............................................................................. 60 8E MAPUMALANGA: DAVE GALLOP ........................................................................................... 70 BALULEKA: JACO HOLTZHAUSEN ............................................................................................. 71 JACOBUS MARAIS: KWAZULU-NATAL ....................................................................................... 71 WEPNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PERAMBULATONS: J & J WEPENER ...................................................................... 73 Dining Car Training ................................................................................................................. 73 African railway news of the past ............................................................................................. 73 More African railway news of the past .................................................................................... 75 Orange Express / Oranje-sneltrein ......................................................................................... 77 Test Train: Class 45 Diesels ................................................................................................... 78 Transport of Live Stock on SAR / SATS and RTS. ................................................................. 80 SLOT / END ................................................................................................................................... 81

Photo: J & J Wepener. 2

PUBLISHER / UITGEWER This electronic magazine is compiled and published on ISSUU by Hennie Heymans (HBH). Hennie is a retired brigadier of the former South African Police Force. He is passionate about the history of South Africa’s National Security and holds a MA degree in National Strategic Studies. He is most interested in the strategic use of railways in Southern Africa but he loves trains generally no matter where they are!

Hierdie elektroniese tydskrif word saamgestel en uitgegee op die platform ISSUU deur Hennie Heymans. Hennie is ŉ afgetrede brigadier van die voormalige SA Polisiemag. Hy is passievol oor ons nasionale veiligheidsgeskiedenis en het ŉ MA-graad in nasionale strategiese studies verwerf. Hy stel belang in die strategiese aanwending van die spoorweë tydens oorloë in Suider-Afrika. Hy is baie lief vir treine waar ook al op die aardbol. Niks kom mos naby treinry en kondensmelk?

Contact address: heymanshb@gmail.com Telephone number: 012-329-4229.

SUBCRIPTION / INTEKENARE Subscription is free. Subscribe via ISSUU. You may down load and enjoy on your computer. See the link in “previous editions”. Die SAS-SAR word gratis op ISSUU versprei. Teken in via ISSUU en laai gerus die tydskrif af en geniet! Klik op skakel by “vorige uitgawes”.

PREVIOUS EDITIONS / VORIGE UITGAWES Vir vorige uitgawes klik op: https://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs For previous issues click on https://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs

AIM / DOEL Our goal is to collect and record our South African railway history for publication in the SAS-SAR for the use of future generations. Ons doel is om die spoorweggeskiedenis van suidelike Afrika in die SAS-SAR aan te teken en so vir die nageslagte se gebruik te bewaar.

COPYRIGHT Great care is taken to make sure that we do not transgress the Copyright Act. Please make sure that when you use somebody else’s photographs or material to first obtain the necessary permission before sending it to SAS-SAR for publication. Permission to reprint any article or photograph may be obtained from SAS-SAR.

ONGOING PROJECTS Please help us with: • • •

Researching royal and presidential visits to southern Africa. Compiling information about the use of armoured- and hospital trains in southern Africa. Trains in time of war, rebellion and unrest.

WELKOM / WELCOME Welcome to this edition. We wish you the best for the festive season and a prosperous New Year.

FRONT COVER / VOORBLAD CSAR “Train de Luxe” The CSAR “Train de Luxe” used between Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town via Bloemfontein conveying 1st class passengers only. The train departed Pretoria at 5.05pm on Mondays and carried the name “Imperial Mail”. The return working departed Cape Town at 10.40am on Thursdays known as the “African Express”. The accommodations were of a high standard and included sleeping, dining and observation cars – all finished in varnished teak. The coaches drew heavily from American passenger car practice – as evidenced by their flat sides. The locomotive in the photo is a CSAR class 10-1, 4-6-2 Pacific no.657 which became SAR class 10 no.739. THL Photo – Les Pivnic Collection.

EDITORIAL / REDAKSIONEEL China, vir lank ‘n slapende reus is vinnig besig om te ontwaak. China is besig om wêreldwyd opslae te maak met die ontwikkeling van nuwe spoorwegtegnologie. Hulle bou nuwe spoorlyne en is besig met nuwe wêreldrekord lange brûe en tonnels. Ek het geen inligtingsverslae ter hand nie, maar China is in ‘n gunstige posisie indien sy in ‘n oorlog gewikkel raak. Haar infrastruktuur is nuut en sy brei haar vloot lokomotiewe en rollende materiaal drasties uit. Sy kan mense (soldate), grondstowwe en gevegstoerusting maklik en gerieflik vervoer na die verlange bestemmings. Gelukkig is Brittanje ook, op die spoorwegvervoer terrein, stadig besig om te ontwaak. Britse paaie is ‘n nagmerrie en daar word bepleit dat ou spoorlyne weer heropen word. Dit is ‘n goeie teken. Gelukkig het hulle reeds die “tonnel” tussen die Verenigde Koninkryk en die Europese vasteland gebou. Hoe Suid-Afrika in ‘n oorlog gewikkel kan raak is moeilik om te begryp. Ek weet nie hoe ons enige troepe, gevegstoerusting en dies meer na basisse kan vervoer nie. Ons spoorweë is tans hoofsaaklik gefokus om minerale, in blokvragte, uit te voer. Hoe ons 5 000 troepe per trein sal kan vervoer is ‘n raaisel? Ons infrastruktuur gaan ten gronde. Suid-Afrika sal moet wakker skrik! Ons sal weer ons stasies moet heroprig, brûe verf en opknap. Talle mas- en kragpale is verroes kort verf. Ons moet as eerste prioriteit die land en infrastruktuur opbou. Die resultate van plundering is sigbaar vir almal om te sien. Gelukkig is daar lig aan die einde van die tonnel.

“ELIZABETH”: HENK VAN HEERDEN

Henk skryf: “Vandag die oue 'juffrou' by City Power in Booysens, JHB raakgeloop... “

Navorsing: “Elizabeth” destyds Johannesburg Munisipaliteit

“George” en regs “Elizabeth” van die destydse Johannesburg Munisipaliteit afgeneem in Orlando in Soweto terwyl hulle in diens was gedurende Junie 1992. Poskaart deur J Dulez. Dankie Henk!

HANNETJIE TERBLANCHE SE TREINE Reefsteamers: 15F Vreni No 3046

BRIEWEBUS / LETTER BOX 1939: Major Derailment at Dal Josafat: Mr Les Pivnic

Hello Hennie, Regarding the major derailment at Dal Josaphat (spelt Josafat in later times) - there was a spin-off from that accident that had a profound effect on railway enthusiasts of that time. The engine was a class 15E and the enthusiast group at that time was known as "The Railway Circle". One of their members arranged for an illegal footplate trip on the engine and he was killed in that accident. The System Manager at that time was a man by the name of Skillicorn. He was advised that an unauthorised 3rd person was on the footplate of the 15E at the time of the derailment and that he was killed. He immediately banned all the "Railway Circle" members from all railway property except for areas provided for the public. As a result of this ban and the outbreak of WW2, the "Railway Circle" disbanded. In later years after the War, I had the pleasure of knowing several members of that Circle - Frank Holland, Frank Garrison (a close friend) and Arthur Arnold. Arthur was a dedicated "Watson" enthusiast and he told me of the derailment of the 15E (an A.G. Watson-designed engine) and that the accident had a very negative effect on rail enthusiasts at that time. Oom Les.

1939: Major Derailment at Dal Josafat: Mr Peter Stow Hi Hennie, I have spent many hours researching passenger train accidents with a view to determining which coaches were scrapped as a result of these accidents. I have not found the file for the accident at Dal Josaphat on Monday 13 February 1939 but I have been able to piece together the following information from various sources. The train involved was Train 51 Down, the 12h20 Mondays only express from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, scheduled to arrive at PE at 17h30 the following day. There were no booked passenger stops between Cape Town and Worcester, a distance of 109 miles, where it was scheduled to arrive at 15h23, departing at 15h33 following a locomotive change. Dal Josaphat was 40 miles from Cape Town. A note on a photograph of the accident in the old Transnet Library is interesting. Giving the station name, there was a note "51 AF, 2 Op". This would imply that 51 Down was to cross 2 UP, the Union Limited, at Dal Josaphat. The only problem with the note is that the Union Limited only arrived in 9

Cape Town on a Friday to coincide with the departure of the mail boat, as did 51 Down's opposite number from PE. Was there possibly a special 2 Up? From the photographs of the wreckage it would appear that 51 Down may have entered a loop at speed, causing the derailment and subsequent damage. The first three coaches were extensively damaged. The first was number 825, an ex-Cape Government Railways 50' first class arc roofed coach placed in service in September 1893 but later converted to a 1st and 2nd composite of type D-3, later D-26-C and used as a segregation saloon for people of colour. The second coach would have been number 1475, a Hendrie standard 2nd class balcony coach of type E-12, one of a batch of 20 built in the SAR Durban Works and placed in service between October 1918 and July 1919. The third coach was number 794, one of the first batch of 7 standard Watson closed vestibule timber bodied 1st class coaches completed in record time and placed in service in December 1933, to replace some of the 60 coaches destroyed by fire in the SAR Salt River works on 8 March 1933. Number 794 was of type C-25 and would appear to have been marshalled just before the diner. This was obviously done to obviate the need for first class passengers to have to walk too far to the diner. These 3 coaches were scrapped at Salt River and removed from the Asset Register in April 1940. Other vehicles on the train seem to have survived the derailment. In all, 5 people were killed and 3 injured. The Drakenstein Heemkring, referring to the Paarl Post of 14 February 1939, had this to say of the accident. (Clearly, they had their facts wrong regarding the train involved) https://oudewoning.wordpress.com/tag/daljosaphat/ "Five people were killed on 13 February 1939 when the Union Limited mail coach from Port Elizabeth derailed near Daljosaphat Station between Paarl and Wellington. According to newspaper reports three carriages were reduced to a twisted heap of wood and metal. The accident happened near what was then the Premier Canning Factory. The train-driver Cornelius Badenhorst was badly burnt by boiling water and escaping steam. His assistant Engineer W Bensch’s badly scalded body was found buried beneath the wreckage, and it took rescuers two hours to extricate fellow crew members, Willie Pering and Henry Heyns. Four passengers died – three men and a young woman. Hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the rescue operation that went on through the afternoon and into the evening. Cars were parked “all over the veld” wrote a newspaper reporter. Many more spectators arrived by bicycle, while others walked the two or three kilometres from Paarl. People also travelled from neighbouring towns, and the reporter described a “continuous stream of traffic coming from Paarl to Daljosaphat”, that included reporters and photographers from the Cape Town newspapers. He also noted two planes flying low down over the wrecked carriages." I hope this was of interest. Kind regards.

15E 2858: Railway Circle: AE Arnold

MEDIA Cape Town doesn't have skills in place to manage commuter rail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cape Chamber 11

Dean Le Grange | 30 October 2017 Janine Myburgh says City had no option but to step in but she would also like to see partnership with private sector

City Council’s offer to accept responsibility for Cape Town’s Commuter rail service 30 October 2017 The City Council’s offer to accept responsibility for Cape Town’s Commuter rail service is to be welcomed but it is a huge challenge and the City does not yet have the skills in place to manage the system. “It has been clear for some time that Metrorail is not winning and the service is declining, so the City had no option but to step in,” said Ms Janine Myburgh, President of the Chamber. She said the City had wisely decided that any takeover, if approved at national level, would have to take place in stages. “The first stage should be to stop the vandalism and the copper theft and this is something the City is well equipped to do. Its Copperheads anti-metal theft unit has performed well and has a good understanding of the problem. I see no reason why the Metro Police, working with the Copperheads, cannot arrest the ongoing destruction of trainset, the signals system and other infrastructure.” Ms Myburgh said it was obvious to any observer that the trains were not well looked after or properly guarded at night and at weekends. “The proof is in the ugly graffiti that defaces the coaches. This vandalism can only be done in daylight or under lights so it should be easy to spot the culprits. The graffiti advertises to the copper thieves that the trainsets are easy targets.” She said this was the starting point. “It was known as the broken window theory and it had been proved over and over again. Examples were the clean-up of New York under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and it had been one of the first things the City Improvement District did when it successfully tackled the crime and grime problem in the CBD.” This would make a visible difference and it would be the first step in winning back public support for the service. Ms Myburgh said she would also like to see some kind of partnership with the private sector. “We need to get people with knowledge, skills and resources involved in a partnership to rebuild the service and grow it into the kind of public transport system Cape Town deserves” Issued by Dean Le Grange, Media and Digital Co-ordinator, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 30 October 2017 http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/city-does-not-have-skills-in-place-to-manage-rail?utm_source=Politicsweb+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=c313def13bEMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_30&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a86f25db99-c313def13b130042309

Cathy van Onselen shared the following article:

Choo-Tjoe Back on Track Update Choo-Tjoe back on track as part of mayor rail plans KNYSNA NEWS - The revival of the long-awaited George to Knysna railway line and the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train is back on track. The good news forms part of Transnet Freight Rail's (TFR) vision for rail rejuvenation in the entire Southern Cape. This was revealed at an Eden District municipality (EDM) meeting with TFR and spatial development planners on Thursday 23 November. It was attended by representatives of the local municipalities inside EDM and included Bitou, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Hessequa and Oudtshoorn. After an absence of more than a decade, the Choo-Tjoe may soon become a familiar site between George and Knysna after it ground to a halt in 2006 when floods washed away a section of the railway line in the Kaaimans pass just east of George. Up and running next December? TFR says the running of the Choo-Tjoe on a smaller section of the line may be a reality as soon as December next year. On 28 October 2018 Transnet will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the opening of the original George to Knysna track and their aim is to get the first services operational on this date. According to TFR, a private sector initiative developed a proposal with a request for a concession that will see the restoration of the line and the resumption of the Choo-Tjoe. This company, whose identity is being kept under wraps until a process of due diligence has been followed, will provide all funding. Transnet will lend support in terms of cascading material and by conceding Transnet assets on this line to the concession company for a few years. Road to rail diversion Transnet also plans to increase the amount of freight that can be diverted from road to rail, reducing the number of pollutant road trucks that cause traffic delays and contribute to accidents. The operational rail network spanning the Southern Cape runs from Klipplaat in the Eastern Cape, through Oudtshoorn to George, Mossel Bay and through Riversdale towards Swellendam and Worcester. Three of the branch lines are inactive, namely, the Narrow Gauge towards Port Elizabeth that runs in George municipality, the Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp line and the George to Knysna line.

On 28 October 2018 Transnet will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the opening of the original George to Knysna track and their aim is to get the first services operational on this date. Waste by rail on cards Transnet also proposes a collaboration with all the Eden municipalities to move solid municipal waste by rail to the new centralised landfill site next to PetroSA in Mossel Bay. Existing trains can be used to transport the waste, resulting in cost savings for municipalities. The creation of intermodal transfer facilities at TFR stations will enable the loading of any container from road to rail and vice versa, and make rail freight opportunities available to any company in the Southern Cape, even those without direct railway sidings. Trams Transnet is also looking at using the railway line for shared services with trams and light trains between Mossel Bay, the George Airport, George and Knysna with secondary services to Oudtshoorn and Heidelberg. This service can be integrated into the transport investments into Go George and other initiatives. Transnet intends to expand the other tourist steam trains operating through the entire Eden DM. Tourism is a major focus and will include the expansion of the Outeniqua Powervan and Diaz Express. The steam workshops in Mossel Bay will become the premier maintenance and training facility creating many job opportunities for the area's youth. 14

Read previous articles: • • • •

Choo-Tjoe plans steaming ahead Choo-Tjoe plans still on track Track repair begins on George-Knysna railway line Restoration of Choo-Tjoe steam train line

'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'. https://www.knysnaplettherald.com/News/Article/General/choo-tjoe-back-on-track-20171129

Mosselbaai Advertiser: Tubby Myburg

ANGLO BOER WAR / ANGLO BOERE-OORLOG Fotoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ontvang van Morten Kriek / Photos received from Morten Kriek

Transport on the Railway

Armoured train

Troop on the way up country

Princess Christianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Train. [Below a cutting from my archive on the Princess Christians Hospital Train.] 17

Princess Christianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Train

Filler: Vaal River with Train on Bridge

Photos from Dr. Tian Schutte / Foto’s ontvang van dr. Tian Schutte Dagsê, Ek het via Facebook met ‘n dame in Richardsbaai kontak gehad, Joan Hovelmeier, wat die meegaande foto’s vir my gestuur het. Haar oupa, Robert Mills, was een van soldate wat gewerf is om die IMR op die been te bring toe die Hollanders van NZASM geweier het om die spoorweë te bedryf nadat Pretoria beset is. Die Boere het die treine behoorlik laat les opsê soos julle sal sien! Aangesien die foto’s bietjie groot is, sal ek hulle in aparte eposse stuur. Groete Tian Schutte

Hier is Robert Mills as soldaat by die 5th Dragoons voordat hy by die IMR aangesluit het en dokument van ‘n operasie waaraan hy deelgeneem het. Die ander het foto van die lokomotief het ek opgeknap. Ek sien die Engelse het die ZASM se plaat afgehaal en vervang met IMR. Hier lokomotief se naam was die Komaas. Hennie, jy is welkom die foto’s te gebruik. Hoe meer mense dit hoe beter! Hierdeur laat ons die geskiedenis leef deur te deel. Gee die bron aan as “Joan Hovelmeier”

Erecting Shop: Pretoria (Now with the IMR). 20

NZASM No 99 now in IMR hands – see IMR plate attached to locomotive.

Caption reads: “Blown up in the SA War 1901”. It’s No 204. Thanks to Joan Hovelmeier. 21

Other photos received from Dr. Schutte:

Colouring by Tinus. 22

By Order of the “War Commission”: No shooting from the train!

Heidelberg 1895

TAB 35989 Heidelbergstasie. Eerste trein na Durban 15 Nov 1895 getrek deur Genl. Smit.

1893 First train departs from Pretoria

TAB 36549. Eerste trein vertrek van Pretoria. Datum lees 1 Jan 1893 (?) sien vergroting onder. 24

ZASM No 50 SW Burger

1895: Opening of Eastern Line

ABW: Nico Moolman

British Armoured Train 26

Ready, aim, fire! [Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first time I have such an action photo taken inside an armoured train! HBH]

Diagrams: Armoured Trains: Leith Paxton

Ex-NGR: No 3 Armoured Train SAR

No 3 SAR Armoured Train (Maxim mounting). 28

1916: MILITARY TRAIN: “THE NONGQAI”

INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY SAR Goraas: Manuel Ferreira The remains of the Goraas Railway Station. Karoo (R63), 60 kms outside Carnarvon - 22 November 2017.

Train Cemetery, Bolivia Train Cemetery, Bolivia (by Pamela Jones). Just outside Uyuni, trains were abandoned decades ago and left to rot at 11,995ft. Built by the British, the railway transported minerals to the Pacific Coast until the mining industry collapsed in the 1940s

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5086799/Historic-Photographer-Year-awardsshowcased.html 33

1935: SAR: HUISGENOOT

SOME HISTORICAL PHOTOS BY KEN LIVERMORE

200 steam locos in the SA 'Strategic Reserve' gather rust De Aar.

B Class 2-6-4T, No 61, arrives at George with a mixed train.

19D 2751 arrives at Highlands Station with a train from Grahamstown. 35

Class 24 No 3667 arrives Somerset-East on a mixed train from Cookhouse.

The last locomotive we saw in steam on our tour was spotless 25NC No 3519 getting ready for a run to the Zimbabwe border at Mafikeng. 36

Two grimy 15F no’s 3080 & 3038 take a break from their toils – Kroonstad.

GMAM 4122 rushes past on the Union Limited — between Bleshoender - Swartvlei. 37

SAS: RAMP: EFFINGHAMWEG Ster: 11 Maart 1966: “Die Donker Nag”: Pierre Coetzee

Baie dankie aan Ferdie Vermaakt wat die ou tydskrif onder my aandag gebring het.

Effinghamweg-treinramp: Dinsdag: 5 Oktober 1965: Hennie Heymans Ek doen ‘n Google-soektog en vind net een sinnetjie: “A train accident at Effingham in Natal claims the lives of 88 people.”1 Klink so eenvoudig en klinies. 88 Mense wat dood is, in een ongeluk is nie speletjies nie, dis ‘n ramp en sluit ook ‘n moord op ‘n onskuldige spoorwegamptenaar in! Op daardie dag was ek ‘n jong konstabel in die SA Polisie gestasioneer te King’s Rest. Ek was toe al lief vir treine maar het nooit belanggestel om ‘n spoorwegpolisieman te word nie. Die polisie was my roeping en my liefde vir treine is slegs ‘n stokperdjie. Die dag was my taak om die diensoffisier van die polisie in Durban te bestuur. Ons diensbeurt was van 18:00 tot 02:00 en ons taak was om aandag aan alle ernstige misdaad en aan opspraakwekkende gebeure aandag te gee. Vroeg die middag hier rondom 16:30 is ek gereed vir diens. My uniform is skoon en die polisiemotor met roepsein “B-60” is by ons distrikshoofkwartier nagegaan, vol brandstof en skoon. Ek het na my ouerhuis gery om te gaan eet voordat ek formeel aan diens sou gaan. Met opspraakwekkende gebeure wat oral, enige tyd, in Port Natal gebeur, weet mens net nooit wanneer mens werklik van diens gaan nie. Ons was nie mense wat die horlosie dopgehou het wanneer ons gewerk het nie. Op pad huis toe hoor ek oor die polisieradio dat daar ‘n geweldige treinongeluk te Effinghamweg was en dat offisiere van Durban-Noord reeds op die toneel was. Ek haas my na die diensoffisier se woning en vertel hom wat gebeur het. Hy het my slegs verwittig dat ons diensbeurt van 18:00 tot 02:00 strek en ek hom 18:00 moet kom oplaai. Soos beveel laai ek hom 18:00 op en vertel hom wat gebeur het. Ek wou die toneel besoek maar sy opdrag was ons moes na die weste van Durban ry en daar polisiestasies begin besoek. Toe ons by SAP Cato Manor aanland is meeste van die pendelaars se lyke daarheen vervoer. Ek was maar ‘n mannetjie met ongeveer twee jaar diens en omtrent 19 jaar oud. Ek het die lyke gesien wat erg vermink was en baie afgerukte ledemate het rondgelê. Die speurders van die spoorwegpolisie was besig om die lyke uit te lê en soos mens ‘n legkaart aanmekaar sit, vermiste liggaamsdele by die regte lyke te plaas. Dit was ‘n vreeslike gebeurtenis! Behalwe die pendelaars is ‘n blanke spoorwegamptenaar naby die ongelukstoneel vermoor. Ons het Cato Manor verlaat en voortgegaan met roetine pligte. Alles het goed gegaan en dit was ‘n redelike stil aand totdat dit 23:59 geword het! Daar kom ‘n growwe stem op die lug en jy weet net: Dis die Groot Baas wat praat! Ek werk die radio en bestuur. Hy versoek ons om hom by die Cuban Hat – ‘n deurnag padkafee naby die strand – te ontmoet. By die Cuban Hat aangekom het ek ‘n gratis les in polisie-administrasie ontvang wat ek my hele lewe toegepas het. Die Oubaas, destyds kolonel – later brigadier – CC von Keyserlingk, ons afdelingskommissaris, was kwaad! Sommer baie kwaad! Hy trap die bejaarde kaptein net daar en dan uit! Ek hoor alles. Hy vertel die kaptein dat die ongeluk te Effinghhamweg ‘n ramp was! In die geval van rampe moet die polisiekommissaris, die minister en die eerste minister ingelig word. (In daardie jare wou hulle nie van gebeure oor die radio hoor of dit eers in koerante lees nie – nee, hulle wou voortydig, korrek, voorgelig wees.) Die kaptein is die diensoffisier en dis sy plig om die afdelingskommissaris in te lig. Die kolonel het nie in tegniese detail belanggestel nie! Hy het die kaptein vir die versuim om hom in te lig, verantwoordelik gehou. Jare later is ek distrikskommissaris en ‘n tornado tref die stad. Toe weet ek; ek het dadelik die streekkommissaris ingelig asook die stadsklerk omdat die stadsklerk die hoof funksionaris by

http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/train-accident-effingham-natal-claims-lives-88-people

burgerlike beskerming is en alles vanuit sy situasiekamer moet beheer. Polisie en weermag ondersteun dan die stadsklerk. So, het ek dan iets uit die ramp geleer!

WESTERN CAPE: WAYNE NAUSCHUTZ Good Day Oom Hennie, Here are some photographs for your next addition. They rather large so will come through in batches. 1. A set of class 35s passing the Abbotsdale level crossing on the outskirts of Malmesbury with a dolomite consignment for smelters at Saldanha Steel. 2. Class 35s working a load XBJ-5 and XBJ-10 tankers near Kikoesvlei just North of Darling. The tankers are probably empty and will be filled with slag at Saldanha. 3. The Cape Town bound Rovos Rail making good time just a few kilometres short of Hermon. 4. E1605 still proudly sporting the old SAR whisker livery and her original number plate as they lead the Queenstown bound Shosholoza Meyl. 5. 19B, 1412 taking a slow ride up Michell's pass after having her valve timing set in Worcester. 6. 19 Dollie, 3322 returning to Unity siding in Cape Town after a day excursion to Ceres. 7. 1412 and 3322 double-heading a charter train to Matjiesfontein by the GoGlobal corporation. The photograph was taken during the return trip near Botha, Western Cape. 8. 3322 arriving at DeMeter in Ceres. 9. 3322 shortly after departing Wolseley begins its long climb up Michell's pass to Ceres. 10. 1412 and 3322 double-heading a charter-train to Matjiesfontein by the GoGlobal corporation. The photograph was taken on day one as the train entered Paarl.

Regards 43

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1 & 2

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3 & 4

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5 & 6

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7 & 8

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 9 & 10

ONCE UPON A TRAIN: NATHAN BERELOWITZ 1. ONCE UPON A TRAIN. Bloemfontein depot one dark and clear night. The class 23 stands awaiting the next duty, but for now, only the firelighter has her under his shovel, for the mechanical stoker is not to be used by such persons during shed fire-lighting, but... non-the less, it is 1971 and a heavenly depot to be in at this magic hour. 2. ONCE UPON A TRAIN. American photographer, Randy Scholl, from Batavia, Ohio, captured this image of Witbank 15CA 2826, hauling a block load of coal empties from Capital Park, home. The driver is blowing the loco whistle as the photographer is in a very dangerous spot, but the load is in full swing as it heads up to Van der Merwe station, passing the new cast mast bases, as electrification of the line is starting. August the 18th 1973. 3. ONCE UPON A TRAIN: A bit of steamy arty photo technique with GMAM 4168 on shed, in the days when I had no transport to lineside, only do shed-shots and had to find ways to be creative then, just three-quarter angles of locomotives! I don't even remember when and where this was taken, but it does not matter, steam is now but a preserved memory! 4. ONCE UPON A TRAIN: Capital Park depot had some class 16CR locomotives in the early 1970's. I captured this named one "CAROL OKâ&#x20AC;?, after a popular song on the radio at the time. My first "named" loco at this depot! 1971. 5. ONCE UPON A TRAIN: A Witbank 15CA has had her fire cleaned on the Capital Park ashpits, and will now enter the shed on the through road to take water and be serviced for the return trip home. The ashpits are still in use today by Rovos Rail, although only one track is in operation and the overhead crane has long been scrapped. Photograph by unknown and in my collection. 6. ONCE UPON A TRAIN: From a collection of photo's I have with no name attached, I find this damaged class 15E number 2895, perhaps in a collision or waiting scrapping. I do not know where this was taken but try guess the class of loco in the background, as it has a different sort of tender, perhaps a class 8? 7. ONCE UPON A TRAIN. From a batch of nameless photographs in my collection, today we see the Narrow Gauge in action. NG15 number 118, gets a final oiling from the driver as the preparation of the loco is almost complete. On the cab side, hangs the sack covered water bottle, hopefully staying cool for a while. The swivel seat for the Fireman is already in position, on the outside of the cab, and in between rounds of shovelling, he can perch there and enjoy the breeze! Fire irons on the carrier pegs and all we need is to get on board and head out. Our readers who worked on these little giants, will be able to type where this photo may have been taken. 8. ONCE UPON A TRAIN. A class 23 rolls in the coals as she works a passenger on the Noupoort section back in 1972. 9. ONCE UPON A TRAIN: Photographer, Mike Wright, gave me this magnificent photo of the L.M.Mail train departing Bronkhorstspruit station, one winters morning. The Witbank 15CA locomotives, have taken water and cleaned fire. The next stop would be Pretoria station. On this consist, were usually two coaches from the CFM Mozambique system, one being brown painted, and the other a silver corrugated sided coach. This is still the original alignment out of the station, since changed with electrification in later years. Indeed, a wonderful train to work and as a Fireman based at Witbank, I was on this link with driver Carel Riekert.

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 1 & 2

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 3 & 4

No. 5

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 6 & 7

Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 8 & 9

JP MEYER: MORTIMER: EASTERN CAPE

Class 34-450

Class 34-103

7E-037 7 below 7E-183

7E-037. 56

Treinbekruiping te Swartkops: 2 x 23E's: 23 001 en 23 007!! Die Ramboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is hier!! Nou kan die MacGyverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (dit is die 7E's) bietjie rus!! Hulle tyd is uitgedien; swaar myle agter die rug!!

NOEL WELCH: EASTERN CAPE

The old & the new!

JACO HOLTZHAUSEN: THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

The view from my officeâ&#x20AC;¦ 58

LANGS DIE SPOOR: HANNETJIE TERBLANCHE SCHOEMAN

As mens so langs die spoor sit en wag vir 'n trein... (dan kom die trein met die pa langs? - HBH)

Bloutrein by Ariston op 30-11-2017.

Potchefstroom-stasie

TOETSRYTUIG NO 15089 TEST COACH: MARTIN NEL

Martin skryf: Die Toetsrytuig wat saam met die klas 45's loop.

JAPIE TERBLANCHE: VERBY MY VENSTER 60

01-12-17. Drywers Arrie en Lucky.

Rovos Rail diesels. 61

Prasa: Shosaloza Meyl. 62

Pendelaars wat buite die trein hang.

“Nuwe rytuie” vir Rovos Rail. Een van dae gaan Rovos meer rytuie en treinstelle hê as Prasa. 64

Diesels op die Rand: Bo 36-075 & onder 36-029.

34-055. Jaco Holtzhausen op die Bloutrein (en geluk met die verjaarsdag!)

E18-802.

Die Bloutrein loop ook soms onder die klippe deur! 67

Nuwe klas 44-diesels.

Reefseamers se 15F no 3046, “Janine”, om 09h55 op 02-12-2017.

Rovos Rail om 17h55 op 01-12-17 = Drywers Kobus Blignaut en Themba.

8E MAPUMALANGA: DAVE GALLOP Middelburg Mine Services [South 32] oud-SAS / SAR 8E 8032 en oud-SAS / SAR 8E 8044 tussen die loko-depot en die steenkool-aanleg om die eerste vrag steenkool vir hierdie lokomotiewe te laai vir die Laai Terminaal. 29.9.2016.

BALULEKA: JACO HOLTZHAUSEN

Ek het die trein afgeneem by die Bloutrein se loods. Wat het met die Baluleka gebeur? Bestaan dit nog. Was die doel van Baluleka ooit bereik? As ons meer inligting kry kan ons ‘n storie skryf – HBH.

JACOBUS MARAIS: KWAZULU-NATAL

35-203 te Cedara stasie 25-11-2017.

Dankie aan die drywer wat ons so vriendelik gegroet het net buitekant Cato Ridge-stasie 25-112017.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Metro op pad na Cato Ridge stasie 25-11-2017

Net buitekant Cato Ridge-stasie 25-11-2017

WEPNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PERAMBULATONS: J & J WEPENER Dining Car Training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufh5AKcXQ6Q&t=21s

Dining Car Training www.youtube.com A video clip from the TV programme Uit en Tuis on the training of dining car stewards when it was South African Transport Services.

To view click on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufh5AKcXQ6Q&t=21s

African railway news of the past Hi all, We received another railway book written by JR Day published in 1962. Has neat maps of African railways/R.T.S./Lake-river steamer routes. Studying these maps, one could have travelled from Alexandria, South Africa to Alexandria, Egypt by rail, road and lake/river vessels the entire distance, all operated by Railway undertakings, in the nineteen fifties. The route i. Kenton on sea to Alexandria, S.A.R./R.T.S. bus. (Saying goodbye to Indian Ocean on the beach). 73

ii. Alexandria to Port Elizabeth, S.A.R. coach on mixed train. iii. Port Elizabeth to Elizabethville, through S.A.R. coach. (Coach shunted, at Noupoort, De Aar, Mafeking, Bulawayo and Ndola). iv. Elizabethville to Kamina, B.C.K. coach. (Possible through coach or trains). v. Kamina to Albertville, B.C.K. coach. vi. Albertville to Kigoma, lake vessel. (Run by B.C.K. & E.A.R. on S.S. “Liemba”. Trip took 11 hours). [Central African Road Services, operated bus service from southern port of Mpulungu to Broken Hill, connection with lake vessel]. vii. Kigoma to Mawanza via Tabora, E.A.R. coach. (Through coaches to Mawanza and Dar es Salaam) viii. Mawanza to Entebbe, lake vessel. (Run by E.A.R.). [Via lake ports, Bukoba, Bukakata, Entebbe. Next stop, Port Bell had boat train to Kampala. M.V. “Sybil” and R.M.S. “Victoria”]. ix. Entebbe to Soroti, E.A.R. coach. x. Soroti to Gulu, E.A.R. bus. xi. Gulu to Nimule, river steamer. xii. Nimule to Juba, river steamer (Change steamers here, border). xiii. Juba to Taufikia, White Nile, river steamer. (Change steamer). xiv. Taufikia to Wau, river steamer. xv. Wau to Babanusa, S.R. coach. (Change coach here). xvi. Babanusa to Khartoum, S.R. coach. xvii. Khartoum to Wadi Halfa, S.R. coach. xviii. Wadi Haifa to Shellal (Aswan), E. R. river steamer. xix. Aswan (El Shall) to Cairo, E.R. coach. xx. Cairo to Alexandria, E.R. metro coach. (Saying hallo to Mediterranean Sea on beach). On return journey one could travel on a different route from Soroti. i. Tororo (Junction Kampala to Mombasa line) to Tanga via Voi/Moshi, E.A.R. through coach. ii. Tanga to Dar es Salaam, E.A.R. bus. (Connecting line from Sager to Ruvu on Central line started 1955 opened 1963). iii. Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, E.A.R. coach. Further onwards, via Belgian Congo. A. Also via Broken Hill or B. Nyasaland to South Africa. A. Kigoma to Mpulungu, lake vessel. (S.S. “Liemba”. Trip took 56 hours. Then bus C.A.R.S. bus to [Broken Hill] Kabwe). B. Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, E.A.R. coach. i. Morogoro to Mbeya on E.A.R. railway bus.

ii. Mbeya to Korong, E.A.R. bus, possible change of busses at Kyla border post. (Tanganyika/Nyasaland). iii. Karonga to Salima, lake steamer. iv. Salima to Johannesburg, S.A.R. through railway coach. (Coach shunted at Beira, Salisbury, Bulawayo, Johannesburg). v. Johannesburg to Kenton on sea via forward routes. It would also have been possible to travel from Beira to Benguela. i. Beira to Salisbury, C.F.M.(B) railway coach. ii. Salisbury to Bulawayo, R.R. railway coach. iii. Bulawayo to Elizabeth, R.R. railway coach. iv. Elizabethville to Benguela, B.C.K./C.F.B. through coaches. Not as adventurous as first trips, but by rail only. Lovely trips which would have been fraught with many problems - Derailments, floods, late running’s, mechanical, weather, wild animals etc. Railways of yester-year would have kept trains running. Trips not possible now. Few tracks in serviceable condition, not to mention motive power, rolling stock, signalling. It would be impossible to undertake such dream-trips now. One would be apprehended en-route by various warring factions, thieves, not to mention corrupt officials along one’s trip. Very sad that such almost expeditionary trips of the past, are no longer possible. Hartseer Spoorweggroete, John and Jacque.

More African railway news of the past. Hi all, Reference to J.R. Day’s book. The maps gave us an insight into African railways. Angola a. [Villa Serpa Pinto] Menongue to Cuito Cuanavale, Mavinga, Cauanda onwards to Victoria Falls. b. [Mocamedes] Namibe to Baia dos Tigres (Tiger Bay), north of Cunene mouth. A much better site for a harbour. c. [Panguila] Caxito to Nova Caipenba, Damba , Maquela onwards to [Leopoldville]. d. Malange to Quela, Lui, Caungula onwards to join B.C.K. Kamina to Port Francqui line near Kaniama. Had lines been built the three separate Angolan systems would have been connected, by a very around - about route. Using B.C.K. and R.R. networks. e. Finally we have the reason for the border extension when the C.F.B. was built. The first border point was reached, then extended to Dililo. The reason was that the Belgian Government had asked the Portuguese government for a piece of their territory, to enable them to have an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean. [Banana] Maunda, downstream from Boma, at mouth of the Congo river. That is why Cabinda province is north of the river, still part of Angola. In exchange the Belgians gave a large 75

portion on their territory to the Portuguese, hence extended border and line. [One learns something new all the time]. [French Congo]. Congo Republic a. The two cities of Brazzaville and [Leopoldville] Kinshasa are on opposite sides of the Congo river. All traffic is ferried over the Congo river at this point. Recently planned to build a bridge, giving through traffic access to Port Norrie. b. More information on ore cable way from Moanda to Mabinda. Originally railway to be constructed. Entailed many tunnels and difficult terrain. Cable way cheaper to construct. Large gondolas carry 46 tons of Manganese ore, for transhipment to Port Norrie. (Stated illegal passengers hitch a ride in these gondolas, which take 12hrs to complete 72km route. Dangerous being open and taking so long, will have to take supplies with. No customs formalities? [Belgian Congo/Zaire]. D.R.C. a. Matadi to Boma. Required long bridge over Congo river, also gauge difference. b. [Port Francqui] Ilebo to Leopoldville. Line along Kasai river. Replacing river steamers. Belgian government wanted to start consolidating their fragmented railway systems. c. Kindu to [Pointerville] Ubundu. Track onwards to [Stanleyville] Kisangani exists. Also, to avoid transhipping from rail to river steamer. d. *SNCZ diagram shows, Lubumbashi [Elizabethville] – Kamina & Tenke - Mutshatsha, 25kv AC. *“Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Zairois” German South West Africa a. Tsumeb to a point on the CFB line. (Via Serpa Pinto onwards to Silva Porto). The German government had offered to purchase the C.F.B. on completion. For DM 50,000,000.00. During WWI UDF found large amounts of Per-Way material stacked on this German line to Angola. Possibly used for military extensions by UDF. Mozambique a. Qulimane to join Moatiza line via Morrumbala to Mutarara, near Senna bridge over Zambezi river. b. Mocuba to Nyasaland border, onwards to Salima. [Rhodesia - Southern/Northern]. Zimbabwe/Zambia a. [Wankie] Hangwe to Grootfontein through [Bechuanaland] Botswana. Unfortunately, the CFB opened the line to Lobito, which gave the Belgian Congo and Rhodesia an outlet to the West coast of Africa, for ore exports. Senegal/Mali/Algeria a. From a junction on the Dakar to Kayes line, via Segou, Bidon V., to Badla on Algerian system. Proposed long before the Libyan to Niger line. [Tanganyika] Tanzania a. Masasi, terminus of ill-fated Sisal scheme in Southern Tanganyika via Songea, Mpika to Serenje. On Northern Rhodesian/Tanganyika border. Near present day Tazara railway from New Kapiri M’Poshi to Dar es Salaam. 76

We were aware that both Mozambique and Nyasaland had railcars in service. a. Angola had diesel rail cars on both the #Mocamedes and Luanda lines. #This line had airconditioned rail cars. b. Belgian Congo had diesel powered railcars. c. French Congo had diesel powered railcars. d. Mozambique had â&#x20AC;&#x153;Michelinâ&#x20AC;? long nose type, petrol powered railcars. e. Nyasaland had 2 Sentinel steam-powered, as well as diesel powered railcars. f. South Africa had an assortment of petrol driven railcars. We remember the one from Kootjieskolk to Sakrivier. They were of an old design, seemed the S.A.R. would rather run short passenger trains or mixed trains on the many short branch lines. Any comments? One thinks of North/West Africa, there would also have been railcars. g. There must have also been many more railcars in service on other African railways? Spoorweggroete, John and Jacque.

Orange Express / Oranje-sneltrein

Test Train: Class 45 Diesels Hi guys. Got this "Test Train" 8 x 45 class diesels and an electric test coach just South of Virginia - no other info. Cheers. J & J. [31 Oct 2017]

Transport of Live Stock on SAR / SATS and RTS. Hi all, Again, with the perusal of old books, following two photographs came to light. One often forgets of the amazing service the railways of old delivered to the Republic of South Africa. The photographs show sheep being off loaded from the newly introduced three-tire sheep trucks and the loading of animals into a conventional cattle truck. In the case of the sheep a goat â&#x20AC;&#x153;Judasbokâ&#x20AC;? was used to lead the sheep into and off trucks. Cattle were on occasions prodded with a battery-operated prodder. At water and feeding stations en route the same methods were used. One must remember that live stock was also transported by the Road Transport Services country wide. Another massive undertaking. Sadly, all transport of livestock was ceased many years ago. All GZ class trucks scrapped plus the many RTS trucks and trailers. All now moved by private road transport. Spoorweg/Padvervoer groete, John and Jacque. [8 Nov 2017]

SLOT / END Geagte leser vir hierdie kwasiehistoriese dokument maak ons van verskeie bronne gebruik en bevat die dokument uiteraard uiteenlopende en diverse persoonlike menings van verskillende persone en die opsteller van die SAS-SAR kan nie in sy persoonlike hoedanigheid daarvoor verantwoordelik of aanspreeklik gehou word nie.

Dear reader of this quasi-historical document: please note we make use of various sources and consequently it is obvious that the document contains various diverse and personal opinions of different people and the author of the SAS-SAR cannot be held responsible or be liable in his personal capacity. Hennie Heymans Samesteller & redakteur / Compiler & Editor.