Free state sightings

Hi all.

We left Welkom this morning and travelled via Hennenman, there were a couple of mielie trucks and an orange air braked van for shunting personnel in the station. We had just missed the Economy Orange Express.

On passed Kalkvlakte and Virginia, still no sight of the passenger train. We thought we would catch up by Theunissen but due to "Stop / Go" road works we never caught up to her. Theunissen was empty and the red signals told us of her passing.

Seeing that the chase was futile we made a detour to Eensgevonden station. Believe it or not the station still stands intact and locked up together with two railway houses. The cabin is behind burglar bars and a locked security gate, as is the old ticket office and station. Some windows are broken. Looking through the cabin's windows we could see an old SAR chair, the panel, telephones, train registers and even a red flag. Some one has been inside as there are signs of vandalism but it seems to have been stopped. Beneath the platform where the old leverframe signal wires went through is a hole - this is how entry inside must have been gained. This is now closed off with old DJ goods truck sides / doors. The back / side of the station has also been closed with wooden doors. Unfortunately there seems to be evidence of the roof starting to be removed, so for how long this station will stay as is, anyone's guess. We will try and keep a regular visit and as soon as someone has forced entry, we will try and salvage all museum items for safe keeping.
The goods platform is overgrown and some lines have been lifted, but the two main lines are shiny. Southbound signals were red and Northbound ones were green. We could not wait too long and left.

On to Brandfort which was empty. Also no sign of the Northbound train.

Then we headed to Bultfontein. Here we caught Blue 34 409 and orange 34 058 shunting at the silos. After this was completed they readied themselves for the return journey. We left them there and headed back home.

Greetings.
John & Jacque.