Free State news

Hi all.

Had a trip to Senekal today. Still no traffic noticed. Noticed in the yard area that steel sleepers have been uplifted recently, together with some track. On closer inspection we found the guys at the grain silos "re-laying" their own line into the silo and replacing rotten wooden sleepers with the SAR steel sleepers. If this is official or not we doubt as we saw some worrying glances in our direction ! If they are repairing their siding then Operating at Kroonstad are correct in saying the line is still open to traffic ? Also noticed that there is more ballast lying on the old goods shed's roof than along the line ! Also noticed the SASKO mill is closed and the siding to their silos is very overgrown.

Next we visited Libertas, again no grain trucks at the silos. The name still stands as do some station buildings like the waiting room but in a vandalised state. The goods platforms are overgrown and the lines are rusted. We found 1898 O.V.S.S rails in the yard area on the loops. Just out of the station to Arlington, there is a lovely sand stone and steel bridge over the Sand river, which was flowing quite strong. The wooden sleepers on the bridge have been walked over so many times by locals crossing the river that they have actually worn away over the years.

Bethlehem was devoid of any traffic, even the yard area. The line to Bloemfontein via Modderpoort looks rusty.

Then to Winburg where we had another look at the sand stone abutment that we think was built for the lines extension to Senekal.

On to Theunissen and Virginia next, all signals red, no trains.

Back in Welkom RRL was the only movement we saw for the day.

Greetings.
John & Jacque.