More sightings!

Hi guys.

This morning we called the TCO at Hennenman to enquire about movements on  the line.

He stated that we just missed a Kroonstad bound train but there was some shunting at Whites, this puzzled us? Also a train was busy with radio tests in Gunhill ready for departure South.

We arrived at Whites and noticed 2x blue 34's running backside first on a short load of mielies to Kroonstad?? We then noticed the Friedesheim timber shunt standing in the station at Whites, minus its diesel loco. It turned out to be that the Welgelee pick-up's  return working had failed and the Friedesheim shunt's loco was commandeered to take the stricken train to Kroonstad. There was also a maroon 6E1 standing staged in the yard at Whites.

Off to Theunissen where both North and Southbound signals were green. We knew the Bloemfontein bound train was the goods from Kroonstad, this turned out to be a load of what we know them as "beer trucks", greetings from the crew.

Then a surprise, a call to the cabin at Theunissen and the TCO informed us of a block load of brand new coal trucks ex BFX Transwerk, heading to Vryheid. This came thundering past behind a 37 and 2x 34's, hoots from the crew. On enquiring the reason for diesel haulage we were informed that these loads go to the workshops and return from the workshops as a complete train due to the braking arrangements/telemeter ect.

Cheers.
J & J.