EDITION: OCTOBER 2014
VOL 5 NO 10
Picture: Shosholoza Meyl Between Wellington & Worcester, Western Cape. Photograph submitted by Glenn Elsden
Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA. E-Mail: uloliwe@gmail.com
AN eNONGQAI PUBLICATION MORE PUBLICATIONS: eNONGQAI Magazine ULOLIWE Magazine
www.enongqaipublications.com 1
Contents WELCOME ........................................................................................................................... 4 Railway Humour: The Gravy Train..................................................................................... 4 CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION ............................................................................ 5 WEPENER’S PERAMBULATIONS ....................................................................................... 6
20140904 ....................................................................................................................... 6
GROOT BRAK RIVER: SANEL DREYER ........................................................................... 30
(Via Tish Archer) .......................................................................................................... 30
FROM WELLINGTON TO JOHANNESBURG: GLENN ELSDEN ....................................... 32 FACEBOOK PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHS & RAILWAY TALK .................................................. 36
Western Cape: Francois Mattheüs ........................................................................... 36
19E: Nicky Grobbelaar ............................................................................................. 39
Class 21E: Phil du Plessis ........................................................................................ 41
AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRANT LOCOMOTIVES ..................................................................... 43
Australian Locos Shipped to South Africa: J M Turner .............................................. 43
HISTORY: SA RAILWAYS .................................................................................................. 49
Photographs of SAR Stations: Les Pivnic ................................................................. 49
Inspection of the Cape Western System: Les Pivnic ................................................. 52
Railway History Group .............................................................................................. 54
1960’s Fireman’s Uniform: Japie Terblanche ............................................................ 55
Hope – Martin Nel .................................................................................................... 57
SAA: Rand Airport Museum: Johannes Botha .......................................................... 59
BOOKS / BOEKE ................................................................................................................ 59
Dennis Moore ........................................................................................................... 59
RAILWAY SOCIETY OF S.A............................................................................................... 61
Natal Newsletter No 187........................................................................................... 61
MRIG .................................................................................................................................. 62 PREMIER CLASSE ............................................................................................................ 62
2
LETTERS / BRIEWE ........................................................................................................... 63
Les Pivnic: Australia ................................................................................................. 63
Video Links: Glenn Elsden Shosholoza Meyl train-journey from Wellington (Western Cape) to Johannesburg (Gauteng) Formerly the Trans-Karoo ......................................... 64 NAME CHANGE ................................................................................................................. 64 DISCLAIMER AND GREETINGS ........................................................................................ 64 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 65
PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC AND WEBSITE DESIGN
e-Mail: glenn.elsden@gmail.com Mobile: +27(0)824267706 Website
NZ 94-840-113
3
WELCOME Welcome to this electronic railway magazine, and to put you on the “right track” a bit of railway humour.
Railway Humour: The Gravy Train
This was sent to me by a friend in America. Translation: “Boss al that Nkandla needs is a station for the Gravy Train”. Acknowledgement: Neil van Vuuren in Beeld.
4
CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION Are we doing enough conserving so that we may preserve? We have a duty to conserve and to preserve our history for our descendants. Our railway history is being destroyed – through neglect, wilful destruction, or just plain ignorance or for the enjoyment just to destroy. Some people have a streak to kill animal, or to main it. Look at the rhinos, the whales, at the dolphins, elephants – look how they are being killed in national parks and other reserves. Rhino horn, ivory and whale or dolphin meat being the sole reason for the carnage amongst our fauna. Other people like to damage or destroy our heritage and I think it is just a question of education, sense of values and general lack of pride. After twenty years of a New South Africa I see no change - our cities are dirty and unsafe. The National Zoo in Pretoria has been found unsafe (read criminals) and the US Embassy has advised tourists to avoid the zoo. Tourism is ‘n billion rand industry. We had the “crown jewels” as far a railway heritage was concerned however railway preservation and railway tourism is being treated like a stepson. The groundwork was done by people like our Patron, Les Pivnic. In all fairness the demise of the railway stations already happened in the “old South Africa.” Our Transnet Heritage steam tours was on the right track until.... You all know what happened there. It’s all part of our sad railway history.
5
WEPENER’S PERAMBULATIONS  20140904 Hi guys. Quite a lot, so a couple of installments, here goes.
Friedesheim 34 417 was shunting the timber siding at Friedesheim.
Virginia 34 069 was returning from the Virginia ballast siding with a load bound for Kroonstad and beyond.
Ferndale The 2x 18E's are at Ferndale heading south, notice the front unit's pantograph is down, failed. The back unit was hauling this train of refrigerated containers, all empty, judging by the compressors being off. Kromellemboog Near Kromellemboog the CR ore wagons are strewn all over the veld due to a serious derailment, similar to the one at Boskuil a while ago.
Christiana Christiana was void of any trains.
Jan Kempdorp A quick glance at Jan Kempdorp revealed the situation to be the same as a couple of years ago - destruction, the goods shed has also lost its roof in the meantime.
Tadcaster Then on to Tadcaster, 711 Miles from Cape Town, Alt: 3704 Ft. Only the goods shed remains, the rest of the station has been demolished, overgrown loops and platform remains. The main line to Mafeking is shiny.
Cheers. J & J.
6
7
Hi guys.
Hartswater The next stop was at Hartswater, 717 miles from Cape Town, Alt: 3646 Ft. Here the station and goods shed still stand but as you can see - in a destroyed state... Oddly the fence along the road and railway is still
8
intact! Also copper cable from the old station platform lights is lying on the platform and has not been stolen - yet...
Magogong Then we arrived at Magogong - 724 Miles from Cape Town, Alt: 3706 Ft. An even more destroyed station building greeted us here... The rest is as previous. Next stop Taung. Cheers. J & J.
9
10
11
Hi Guys.
Taung Here we are at Taung, 731 Miles from Cape Town, Alt: 3589 Ft. As you can see the destruction is getting worse... This station has Shosholoza Meyl palisades up from when the Kimberley - Mafeking train still ran. Unfortunately they are disappearing... A couple of years ago I noticed Vryburg also had these palisades. This was the only stop where we felt "not welcome" some drunk locals made some remarks and we left. Did not want any trouble...
Magopela Then on to Magopela, can't get the info off the name board and also our only train for the day - 3x light 34's heading down to Warrenton. Cheers. J & J.
12
13
Hi guys.
Pudimoe Our arrival at Pudimoe. Destroyed station, railway houses and overgrown yard area, well actually the entire area !!
Schweizer From here we took the branch line to Schweizer-Reneke. Operating at Coligny told us that the line is still open and maybe sees a train once every two months... Further from Schweizer on sees regular traffic. 14
Myra was not visited, did not feel like struggling through informal settlements and Siloam could not be found.
Uitvalskop Next was Uitvalskop.
Amalia At Amalia the station and goods shed still stand and intact !! Used by the local farmers, otherwise it would have gone the same way. Cheers. J & J.
15
16
17
Hi guys.
Hester and Bakata Hester and Bakata were next. At Hester the farmer has taken the decision to uplift the loop and use the sleepers as his fence, also to "nationalise" part of the railway reserve which includes the goods platform, lekker nowadays...
Schweizer-Reneke Schweizer-Reneke was not visited again, on our last visit the old station was used as a crèche. The 19D in town still looks quite good and the palisades around it were being painted.
Kingswood Then back to the mainline at Kingswood. A 100 wagon load of empties heading south behind 4x 10E's and the Cape Town bound Blue Train passing at an incredible speed. 18
Welkom Welkom station, return working of the Bothaville pick-up. This train only went to either Skoonspruit or Schuttesdraai judging by the diesel not being turned around. Cheers. J & J.
19
20
Three liveries
21
Hi guys. We got the late running car train again, here at Kalkvlakte - Kroonstad bound fully loaded with Volkswagen vehicles. Then the shunt at Welgelee, waiting to enter the silos. At Theron the northbound containers sped past. The last couple of trucks had skip containers on. Then a couple of shots at Bloemfontein diesel depot. Oddly SASOL was unloading fuel, normally this is done from a railway tanker?? First time we see this. All other depots here still get fuel by rail. There was plenty of activity going on everywhere. The last photos seem to be all BFX's diesels "on parade" and they were all idling.
The steam loco situation seems to have remained as is, did not have a look around, though. Also the wrecked line of diesels seems a little smaller at the workshops. Two new cabs in green undercoat were noticed - looked like class 39 cabs. Cheers. J & J. 22
23
24
Irony
25
26
Hi guys. Here is the last chapter - at last !! We found this old coach among the scrapped ones at Bloem, I think it is the same one I reported about last time but could not get closer. Then a quick visit to Melorane and Nassau. All these old stations have had their loops lifted and just the "through' line remains. Lastly, the first 18E test train down to Bloemfontein, here at Brandfort drivers being trained. Like I said - the 6E/1's are going to disappear and we'll miss them... Cheers. J & J.
No 4415
27
Hi guys. Northbound containers at Kalkvlakte. The return working of the Welgelee pick-up also near Kalkvlakte. Then a southbound load of coal. This is our heaviest load in our area at 3800 tonnes. Oddly the wagons had no truck cards ?? Pictured here near Holfontein, at Holfontein, Whites and stopped at Whites.
Cheers. J & J.
28
29
GROOT BRAK RIVER: SANEL DREYER (Via Tish Archer)
30
Note no windows on the stoep
31
FROM WELLINGTON TO JOHANNESBURG: GLENN ELSDEN This month our webmaster Glenn Elsden travelled by train from Wellington to Johannesburg. Just look at how beautiful the scenery is, the Western Cape being in the winter rainfall area. At Wellington he was accosted by a security man in mufti who prohibited him to make a video of the train approaching Wellington. To add insult to injury his coat was stolen on the platform. Have a look at his videos – the links will be provided elsewhere. This stupidity from stopping tourists to photos or to make videos on railway property is absurd – what the point?
32
33
34
Sunset in the Great Karoo
35
FACEBOOK PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHS & RAILWAY TALK
Western Cape: Francois Mattheüs
18-697 & 18-677
Jade Wilson, Flash Pelcher, Jos Chadinha and 23 others like this. Callie Venter Jammer die units nie ook blou nie, maar bly mooi. Barend Leon Waar is die 14E het baie hoë spoed gery toe die metro blits af gestel was toe word die loko blou trein loko
36
Francois Mattheüs: Barend Leon, hulle loop nie meer op die bloue nie agv die 2 insidente met 14104 en 14001 wat uitgebrand het. Lenie Zeelie: Dit laat my nou so verlang na my ouman. Hy was ook ʼn elektriese treindrywer. Oorlede in 1996. Barend Leon: Toe ek nog op die voetplaat was het ek en oom Jaap Boshoff Hoof-Inspekteur Toetse die 14E vrot getoets. Ek het nog ʼn botteltjie bier, Amstel, wat uit 14 001 uit kom Gerhard Britz: As ʼn nie-spoorman, was die eenhede vir passasierstreine anders as vir vrag , spoed teenoor krag, sal graag wil weet. Barend Leon: Hul het die loko’s vir die Metro Blits gebruik die ratte vir ander om die blou trein te kan sleep. Hierdie loko’s kon maklik 160 kmh en nog meer behaal Barend Leon: Ja hul was vir spoed ontwerp Jaco Holtzhausen: Die 14 e's kon hulle pote optel het maksimum trekkrag onder korreksie op 79km/h bereik manne soos Phil du Plessis sal beter weet as ons. Die lokomotiewe op die Metro Blitz was 12e's. Matthys Gerhardus Otto: Francois ons het vanoggend gehoor ons Blou Trein drywers moet die 20E gaan skryf want hulle is die einde van die maand hier by ons. Jaco Holtzhausen: By ons is dit nog stil Matthys. Francois Mattheüs; Thys, ek’t so ʼn gerug gehoor maar nou bevestig jy dit. Dis bakgat. Laat weet my asb so gou as wat julle hoor dat van hulle oorgeplaas word. Ek kan nie wag nie want die 20E het vir my tog ooreenkomste met 14E so dit sal my darem meer herinner aan die 14Es. En hulle behoort fantasies in blou te lyk! Dankie vir die info. het jy opleiding gegee vandag hier? Barend Leon: Ongelukkig is ek al 7 jaar op pensioen so ek weet maar min wat aan gaan. Al wat ek sê is 1525E was die toetsloko en hy was vinnig in series 120 soos niks nie.
37
18697 & 18677 met Bloutrein deur Soetendal, 9 Sep 14. Matthys Gerhardus Otto, dankie vir die groet ou maat!
Premier Classe net voor Soetendal stasie se deurgaan, 9 Sep 14. 38
35038 met bobaan inspeksietrein deur Soetendal, 9 Sep 14
 19E: Nicky Grobbelaar
39
6 people like this. Hennie Heymans: Nicky Grobbelaar - tel ek reg? 6 x 19E? George Daniels: Ek het op 'n DVD gehoor hoekom hulle 6 x eenhede vir die afrit gebruik. Die vrag se remme is nie genoeg om die trein onder beheer te hou nie. Ses eenhede se reostat "remme" saam met normale remme is genoeg om die trein onder beheer te hou. Nicky Grobbelaar: Jy tel reg Hennie,100% reg George, jy het 6 nodig vir trekkrag. George Daniels: Ek praat van Ermelo na R/baai - 6X19Es meer vir remkrag. Terug vat 4x19Es die vrag met gemak. Nicky Grobbelaar: Eish 4 sukkel maar Jong, jy trek omtrent al die pad van Richardsbaai tot by Vryheid; van daar af Ermelo toe is dit bietjie beter met ʼn leÍ trein. Maar gelaaide met 6 moet hulle kant bring en jy op verkeerde plek gaan staan moet hulle jou ma kom stoot.
40
 Class 21E: Phil du Plessis
41
Philmar du Plessis: Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe 17 September · E21001, behoort laat November af gelaai te word in Durban Hawe. Philmar du Plessis: Daar is nog nie n "Deployment Plan" nie. Ek glo meeste sal vir GFB wees. You, André Kritzinger, Chris De Vos, Francois Mattheüs and 32 others like this. Martin Nel: Ok nou trek ons al by die Klas 21E. Hoe verskil hy van klas 20E, Phil? Louis Le Roux: Ai, kon die goed nie maar biekie mooier gebou word nie, ook geen beskerming vir die crew in geval van ‘n botsing nie. Philmar du Plessis: Martin, sal eers die speks moet kry en dan ook n Klas-23 van Bombardier. Op die oomblik besig om te trek, so dinge maar so bietjie deur mekaar. Jaco Holtzhausen: Is hulle ook van China af? Lyk my die Bloutrein bestuur het gewen met die 20Es ons gaan almal volgende maand skool toe vir dit.
42
Louis Le Roux: Flip ek sal seker ook die 20E moet gaan leer want hy word in die simulator ook ingebou Philmar du Plessis: Jaco, ja eg Chinees. Ek verstaan daar gaan ʼn hele klompie volledig ingevoer word. 1064 loko’s oor 4 jaar is ʼn klomp by enige standaarde. Stephen van Heerden: Waar gaan hulle hardloop? Gerhard Britz: Baie mooi, watter bykomstighede is daar vir die drywers om hulle skof makliker te maak ? Philmar du Plessis: Daar is nog nie ʼn "Deployment Plan" nie. Ek glo meeste sal vir GFB wees.
AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRANT LOCOMOTIVES Australian Locos Shipped to South Africa: J M Turner Hennie The recent purchase of second hand locos from Aurizon Australia by Transnet has raised a bit of interest. The foamers down your way seem to ignore anything that is not Transnet, now they have 34 foreigners to contemplate. List is obviously work in progress; don’t have the split between TRF and TE. TE will have to send a couple of fitters around to Grindrod or AR&TS to see how they modified the coupler height. If you find the name of the BEE who actually consummated the transaction, can you please advise1
Updated 19/09/2014 1460 Class G12C Sold to ISCOR, Shipped to South Africa in 1990 1484 Clyde 65-450 1965 to ISCOR 666-50 to Arcelor Mittal 11 1494 Clyde 66-460 1960 to ISCOR 666-51 to Arcelor Mittal 12 1460 Class G12C 1
Mel says: “If you find the name of the BEE who actually consummated the transaction, can you please advise.”
43
Apex Industrial shipment ex KiwiRail New Zealand, arrived Durban July 2013, sold to RRL Grindrod, Vessel not known QR 1460 DQ6382 Clyde 64-348 1964 RRL 22-01 Red livery, on lease to CDN Mozambique QR 1481 DQ6347 Clyde 65-389 1965 RRL 22-02 Red livery, on lease to CDN Mozambique 1460 Class G12C KiwiRail DQ Class (ex QGR 1460 Class) trans-shipped from New Zealand to Brisbane, purchased by NREC Australia. Included in tranche two shipment “BBC Carolina” (see below), sailed 22/07/2013. Discharged 18-20 August 2013 QR 1467 DQ6376 Clyde 64-355 1964* RRL Grindrod QR 1473 DQ6324 Clyde 64-361 1964* Grindrod BG15-01 Three tranches sold by Aurizon Tranche one landed 23/24 June 2012 “Clipper Amber”. All units purchased by Apex Industrial Pty Ltd, and on sold to South African operators 3 x 3100 Class B-B-B electric 25kV, Comeng/Hitachi 3101*/3102*/3103* would appear QGR number used as builders number, 1986 build 3 year lease to SNCC from June 2013, not renumbered, check digit added 3101-7; 3102-0; 3103-3 13 x 2600 Class Goninan/GE U22C rebuilt as C22-MMi 2000/2002 2600 2500-12/83-58 RRL 2606, swapped AR&TS (S2606) Q4 2013, Qld livery 2601 2500-12/83-59 AR&TS, Blue livery, same number 2602 2500-01/84-60 RRL 2605, to SNCC red livery 2205-6 (hired) 2603 2500-02/84-61 RRL 2604, to SNCC red livery 2204-3 (hired) 2604 2500-03/84-62 AR&TS, Qld livery, same number 2605 2500-04/84-63 AR&TS, Qld livery, same number 2606 2500-05/84-64 RRL 2601, sold to SNCC October 2012 red livery 2201-4, wrecked 22/04/2014 2607 2500-06/84-65 AR&TS, Blue livery, same number 2608 2500-07/84-66 RRL, 2603, to SNCC red livery 2203-0 (hired) 2609 2500-08/84-67 AR&TS, Blue livery, same number 2610 2500-09/84-68 AR&TS, Blue livery, same number 44
2611 2500-10/84-69 RRL 2602, sold to SNCC October 2012 red livery 2202-7 2612 2500-11/84-70 AR&TS, swapped RRL Q4 2013, to SNCC 2206-9 red livery (hired) All 13 locomotives in the Class Shipped 3 x 2100 Class Clyde/EMD GL26C. 2100H 70-711 1970 2111D 71-722 1971* 2123F 72-751 1973* 14 x 1720 Class Clyde/EMD GL18C. 1721D 66-503 1966* 1729D 66-511 1966* 1739D 67-521 1967 1740D 67-522 1967 1742D 67-524 1967 to SAFLog L25 1748D 67-562 1967* to SNCC 1704-5 1755D 66-635 1968* at May 2013 stored RRL Pretoria 1757D 66-637 1968 1766D 69-683 1969 1767D 69-684 1969 at May 2013 stored RRL Pretoria 1768D 69-685 1969* to SNCC 1703-2 1769D 69-686 1970* 1772D 70-689 1970* to SNCC 1701-6 1775D 70-692 1970* to SNCC 1702-9 *Photo Fisherman Islands/Durban Split between South African purchasers SAFLog 2100* + 2111* + 2123* total 3 1721 + 1729* + 1739* + 1740* + 1742 + 1757* + 1766 + 1769* total 8 RRL Grindrod 3101 + 3102 + 3103* total 3 45
2600* + 2602* + 2603* + 2606* + 2608* + 2611* total 6 1748 + 1755 + 1767 + 1768 + 1772* + 1775 total 6 AR&TS (Surtees) 2601 + 2604* + 2605* + 2607* + 2609 + 2610* + 2612 total 7 *Photo on site in SA All locos at SAFLog confirmed, email 09/09/2012, 1742 is first loco to be repainted (to L25?) Following above shipment the following Apex Industrial owned units were left in storage at Redbank 2 x 2100 Class Clyde/EMD GL26C. 2102H 70-713 1971 Stripped for parts, hulk moved to Simms Metal for scrap (24/10/2013) 2121F 72-749 1972 Stripped for parts, hulk moved to Simms Metal for scrap (24/10/2013) 4 x 1720 Class Clyde/EMD GL18C 1722D 66-504 1966 1727D 66-509 1966 1747D 67-561 1967 1750D 67-564 1968 All 39 Locomotives were sold by QR National to Apex Industrial Pty. Ltd. The sale was as is/where is. Apex Industrial Pty. Ltd. subcontracted domestic overall logistics to Trans Pacific Projects Pty. Ltd. In December 2012 QRN changed name to Aurizon Limited Tranche two shipment “BBC Carolina�, sailed 22/07/2013. Discharged 18-20 August 2013 Left over locos from 2012 purchase, stored at Redbank pending shipment, owned by Apex Industrial Pty Ltd 4 x 1720 Class Clyde GL18C 1722D 66-504 1966* RRL 1727D 66-509 1966* RRL 17-07? 1747D 67-561 1967* RRL 1750D 67-564 1968* RRL 46
Locomotives on the Aurizon 2013 disposal tender, all were initially purchased by Apex Industrial 1720 Class Clyde/EMD GL18C 1743D 67-525 1967* RRL 1743, to SNCC 1759D 66-639 1968
AR&TS
1762D 64-642 1968
RRL 1762, to SNCC
1763D 64-643 1968* AR&TS 1773D 70-690 1970* RRL 1773, to SNCC 2100 Class Clyde/EMD GL26C 2122F 72-750 1972* RRL 22-03, renumbered 21-03 March 2014 7 x 2150 Class Clyde/EMD GL26C-2 2155D 79-906 1979* RRL 21-08 hired Moz. November 2013 2156D 79-907 1979* RRL 21-02 hired Moz. Q1 2014 2157D 79-908 1979* AR&TS 2159D 79-910 1979* AR&TS 2160D 79-911 1979* AR&TS 2161D 79-912 1979* AR&TS 2162D 79-913 1979* RRL 21-04 3 x 2170 Class Clyde/EMD GL26C-2 2172F 82-1102 1982* (accident damaged) AR&TS 2185D 83-1150 1983* RRL 2204D 83-1168 1983* AR&TS 2400 Class Clyde/EMD GL22C 2412D 72-854 1977* RRL 3100 Class Comeng/Hitachi (3100 Class is also model; QGN number is also builders number) 3104 1986* RRL * Photos from South Africa/loading in Australia
47
Tranche three shipment “BBC Ohio”, sailed 19/09/2014. Discharged Shipped by Apex Industrial, Sold to Transnet via an unknown BEE 2250 Class Clyde/EMD; Redbank GT22C-3 rebuilds 2251 ex 2142A (73-772 07/73) rebuilt 2005* 2252 ex 2136 (74-787 11/74) rebuilt 2005* 2253 ex 2141A (73-771 05/73) rebuilt 2005* 2254 ex 2146F (73-776 10/73) rebuilt 2005* 2255 ex 2147F (73-777 11/73) rebuilt 2005* 2256 ex 2131F (74-782 08/74) rebuilt 2005* 2257 ex 2133F (74-784 09/74) rebuilt 2005* 2258 ex 1576H (76-823 11/76) rebuilt 2005* 2259 ex 2139
(74-790 02/75) rebuilt 2006*
2263 ex 2135
(74-786 11/74) rebuilt 2006*
2264 ex 1575H (76-822 10/76) rebuilt 2006* 2265 ex 1574H (76-821 10/76) rebuilt2006* 2266 ex 2137 (74-788 12/74) rebuilt 2006* 2267 ex 2134F (74-785 10/74) rebuilt 2006* 2268 ex 1571H (76-818 08/76) rebuilt 2006* 2270 ex 2130F (74-781 07/74) rebuilt 2006* 2271 ex 2132F (74-783 08/74) rebuilt 2007* 2272 ex 2148F (73-778 12/73) rebuilt 2007* 2273 ex 2145F (73-775 10/73) rebuilt 2007* 2274 ex 2143F (73-773 06/73) rebuilt 2007*
2170 class Clyde/EMD GL26C-2 2173D 82-1103 03/82* 2174D 82-1104 04/82* 2177D 82-1107 06/82* 2180D 82-1125 08/82* 48
2181D 83-1146 02/83* 2183D 83-1148 03/83* 2184D 83-1149 03/83* 2188D 83-1153 04/83* 2202D 83-1166 09/83* 2205D 83-1169 10/83* 2206D 83-1170 10/83* 2207D 83-1171 10/83* 2209D 83-1173 11/83* 2210D 83-1174 11/83* * Photos from loading in Australia
HISTORY: SA RAILWAYS  Photographs of SAR Stations: Les Pivnic Dear Hennie, In response to your request - here attached are a few photos taken by me while on museum inspection duties. In 1975 I travelled by motor trolley with System Civil Engineer Crombie and his District Engineer Hahn. At times we were joined in the trolley by Perway staff Meiring and Young. "Loggie" Loggenberg was the trolley driver. We went up the main line as far as Alicedale and also covered the Kirkwood and Alexandria branches. At Springmount on the Alexandria branch, we stopped the trolley for a lineside braai - lekker boerewors and Karoo-mutton chops - the best braaivleis that I have ever had!! In 1980 I covered the entire Cape Western System using a departmental pool car. I started by going up the West Coast all the way to Bitterfontein and then crossed over to Calvinia, Kootjieskolk, Sakrivier and rejoined the Cape Main Line at Hutchinson from where I worked my way down back to Cape Town. I then covered the Caledon - Bredasdorp Branch as well. ALL the stations were in pristine condition as seen in a few of my photos. I am disgusted when I see what has become of most of those beautiful platteland stations!
49
Regards Oom Les
Note the telephone call box
50
51
 Inspection of the Cape Western System: Les Pivnic Morning Gents, In November 1980 I did an inspection of the entire Cape Western System literally calling at every station looking for museum-worthy items. I travelled hundreds of miles by car using a Railway's Toyota Corolla RCB 812W. This little car took me all over the System without any problems - sometimes travelling on very bad "Service Roads" alongside the railway lines. Between Sakrivier and Williston the road stretched far into the horizon without any other sign of life! It must be the loneliest part of South Africa that I ever visited and ALONE nogal! Peter, I had to lay-over in Franschhoek for the week-end during the two week inspection and passing through Villiersdorp I stopped the car to take the attached photo. The other photo shows the desolate area just south of Sakrivier where I left the car's engine running to take the photo - although I had no reason to doubt my trusty Corolla restarting, I wasn't going to take any chances out there! Cheers Les
52
53
 Railway History Group
Editor: Wally Greig
Bulletin No. 125 July 2014
Natal Government railways No. 7. Beyer Peacock built 7 of these locos,in 1877/78 . They were later re-numbered 501 to 507. Does anyone have more information on these 7 locos? Dave Rhind Collection
54
1960’s Fireman’s Uniform: Japie Terblanche
55
Oom Japie dresses in his fireman’s uniform, similar tot hose he wore 45 yrs ago!
Van Schoor tokens
56
Hope – Martin Nel We had these old photos of “Hope” which we published last month:
Here is Martin’s photo’s:
57
One can see that the Namibian authorities is preserving this historic loco!

Thanks to Martin Nel fors haring his photos with us. (I lost mine which I took at my last visit to “Hope�.)
58
SAA: Rand Airport Museum: Johannes Botha
ZS-SMD on her way to the museum at Rand Airport
BOOKS / BOEKE Dennis Moore Hi everyone This book “Memories of British Industrial Steam in the 1970s” ………… well, it does what it says on the tin. An unashamedly nostalgic look as far back as those distant days when the Author was still in his late teenage years (those of you who know him will realise just how far back that is!) and embarked upon a quest to see the last 'real steam' in Britain, the locomotives used for shunting and short trip work in collieries and other industrial locations. It was, sadly, a woefully underfunded attempt, with little money available to fund the travel, none of which encompassed the use of a private motor vehicle with little surplus to provide for photographic 59
equipment and film. A very few of the earliest photographs were taken on the most basic of cameras, a small plastic 'instamatic' and a couple of these images have survived and, somewhat remarkably, were sufficiently redeemable (just) to use in this book. The Author hopes that the reader will forgive the obvious and inevitable technical imperfections of those few very early images and trusts that the rarity of some of the subject matter will go some way to compensate. For example, it is not everyday that one comes across a colour photograph of a 19th Century 2-4-0 crane tank locomotive, in steam and still in regular commercial service. That said, the improvement in the cameras that were to hand as the 1970s progressed is, hopefully, reflected in the photographs. Of the 235 photographs presented, the locomotives working for the National Coal Board are - not surprisingly - in the majority, but many other industries are represented, such as power stations, steelworks, foundries, engineers, dockyards, paper mills, a flour mill, and a trading estate. Token representation from the military and London Transport is included. Conventional tank locomotives abound (those with a thing for Austerity saddle tanks will find much of interest here), but others as diverse as crane tanks, 'Sentinel' and fireless machines are also covered. The liveries exhibited by these locomotives are even more wide ranging. The book is published in standard portrait format 25cm x 20cm (9.75 x 7.75 inches), and is available in a variety of cover and paper types. The prices have been kept as low as possible, within the bounds of print on demand feasibility. As always, the book is available for full and free preview. Don't forget to enlarge to "full screen" . To see the preview, or to order, please go to >>>>>> www.blurb.com/b/5346972 All of my books may be seen here >>>>>>
www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450
Sincere thanks to all those who have supported me and provide the encouragement to keep going in this endeavour. Regards Dennis (P.S. Please note that courier delivery charges vary very little when sending multiple books. So, if you want more than one title, best to order "in one go". Or, get together with like minded friends, and combine an order.) (I must emphasise that it is not my intention to annoy anyone. If you want to be removed from this mailing list, please reply to this e mail with the word REMOVE as your message. Thanks.)
60
RAILWAY SOCIETY OF S.A. Natal Newsletter No 187
Front Cover: The final “Daylight Sitter” departs Ladysmith on its way to Johannesburg on Sunday 30 March 2014. This train was withdrawn apparently due to low patronage and poor timekeeping. Photo: Greg Hart. It is difficult for passengers going on to Pretoria to arrive late at night in Johannesburg. The Gautrain did then not run late. Its a pity the Sitter could not continue to Pretoria – HBH.
61
MRIG
PREMIER CLASSE
The above photo was taken by me, HBH, whilst on a Bosveld Train Safari trip as we went over the Orange River near Upington. The photograph was used by Premier Classe in a booklet. I thought they would at least give me a few free tickets, but: “NO!” 62
LETTERS / BRIEWE  Les Pivnic: Australia Dear All, With my lifelong association with trains - eventually working for the SAR for nearly 20 years and now a pensioner railwayman, I find the piece below very appropriate enjoy! God Bless, Les Subject: The train This is beautiful, and so well explained................. To: My family, and friends Life is like a journey on a train... with its stations... with changes of routes... and with accidents! At birth, we boarded the train and met our parents. We believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station, our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant: our siblings, friends, children, and maybe the love of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize that they vacated their seats!
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all the passengers ... requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty -we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.
I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life.
Reap success and give lots of love. More importantly, thank God for the journey! Lastly, I thank you very much for being one of the passengers on my train! 63
Video Links: Glenn Elsden Shosholoza Meyl train-journey from Wellington (Western Cape) to Johannesburg (Gauteng) Formerly the Trans-Karoo 11 - 12 Sept. 2014 Wellington to Worcester http://youtu.be/8koBhz8d7NY Worcester to Touws River http://youtu.be/kTkeDrFtuHs Touws River to Beaufort West http://youtu.be/PSYrAHuBqUU Beaufort West to Potchefstroom http://youtu.be/jQUYNNgFiEY Potchefstroom to Johannesburg http://youtu.be/8__O23tp2Yk PLAYLIST LINK: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjZs1-YfhmvCH8lZqlrtKX2b3DQuQAjRK Facebook Album link>> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152757387503708.1073741844.733 883707&type=1&l=ae78307c13
NAME CHANGE How would you like it if we changed the name ofour electronic monthly magazine:
SAS-SAR AN ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE INCORPORATING THE "ULOLIWE"? On Facebook 37 members said “yes” and 6 said keep the old name. This is your magazine and we would like to hear your view.
DISCLAIMER AND GREETINGS We don’t like legalize, but it has to be there, so read the small print ….
64
Readers and/or Viewers may use content from The Uloliwe for non-commercial purposes on condition that such material is attributed to The Uloliwe and appropriate acknowledgement is given to the author and source. Where it is clear that any material and/or comment is not made by The Uloliwe, this must be clearly stated. The Uloliwe makes every reasonable attempt to screen or edit content in The Uloliwe by third parties, but does not accept any liability for illegal, defamatory or obscene content. Readers and/or Viewers are encouraged to inform The Uloliwe of any content that may be offensive or illegal. Save where the views expressed are clearly those of The Uloliwe, no responsibility is accepted for the view of other contributors. The Uloliwe does not accept any liability, nor will it be responsible for any damages howsoever arising when this information is obtained and/or utilised in an unauthorised and/or illegal manner. All advertisements are placed in the interest of our Readers and/or Viewers. Such advertisements are placed free of charge at the discretion of The Uloliwe. The Uloliwe does not accept any liability nor will The Uloliwe be responsible for any damages howsoever arising from such advertisements. The main purpose of adverts is to be of an informative nature.
CONCLUSION
The next issue of “The Uloliwe” will be Vol 5 No 11 and will be published, DV, sometime during late November 2014. Send in your comments, anecdotes and photographs please. Take care! Help met bewaring, stuur solank u stories, herinneringe en eie foto’s aan uloliwe@gmail.com in jpg-formaat Hennie Heymans – Pretoria, ZA
© 2014
65