Free State sightings.

Hi all.

First train today was orange 34 031 heading through Welkom en-route to Kroonstad with an empty load of timber wagons after having finished the shunting at Friedesheim.

Next we got RRL DH 01 on a low-bed truck heading North out of Welkom. As we have reported, she is rumoured to be heading to the Durban area ??

All signals red at Hennenman, so we headed towards Senekal for a change.

On approaching Senekal we found lots of FZ mielie trucks at the silo's - the first time in a very, very long while. Locals were busy with hammers and chisels removing Sandstone blocks at Senekal station. The one nameboard has been smashed into a thousand pieces to get the steel re-enforcing out of the concrete. The rails that were used on the goods platform have been ripped out of the concrete platform. When they saw us, some of them ran away. Strangely most of them were wearing smart red overalls - now think - what would squatters want to do with Sandstone blocks ?? Rather their boss wants it for his home... Anyway, we reported it to the section manager. Senekal station won't be around for much longer.

Then we thought we heard a diesel hooter. Then we were sure that we heard a diesel hooter. Strangely it was coming from the closed Marquard section. Soon we heard a 35 class battling uphill. The thieves that were left looked like rats departing into all directions on the sight of the approaching train.

Blue 35 247 came through on the Agracura weed killer train. Now who was more surprised - the crew to see people on the platform - or us getting a train in the section !?! Anyhow, friendly greetings were exchanged. We decided to get it again at Libertas. The speed on the line is only 30Km/h, so a leisurely drive still got us to Libertas with plenty of time to spare. Operating informed us that this train had indeed come from Marquard. The line is officially closed from Senekal to Marquard but officially open from Senekal to Arlington. They also told us that this section is still "Hout Trein Staf" so there would be no other trains. We got her trundling across the bridge over the Sand River just outside Libertas.

At Theunissen the Northbound signals were green. Between Theron and Welgelee we got orange E 1634 leading an orange sister heading light locos to Kroonstad.

At Welgelee we noticed the Southbound signals were green. While waiting for the train we took a stroll around the station. Picked up some more pieces of SAR crockery. Also noticed a very rusted board "Rangeer Grens / Shunting Limit" Then we stumbled upon an orange power box, the following was written on it: "Cable thieves take note - you will be shot on site. Steal the cable, AVBOB will bury you. That is my promise. NB I hope you can read GATVOL vir kabel diewe." The grass has been cut at Welgelee all around the cabin which is still opened when the silos are shunted.

A while later SAR maroon E 1537 leading orange E xxxx headed through on a load of hoppers, B bogies, beer trucks, blue container wagons and a SAR Gulf red and Quaker grey caboose at the back.

We gave operating a call to hear if any more trains were coming. They told us that the train's locomotives that had just passed were to bring the car train back, nothing further. Now why were the two light locos not used for the car train ?

Greetings.
J & J.