Free State main line

Hi all,

Whilst we were at Hennenman this morning we saw that
a down line, signal had a green aspect. On calling Kroonstad
CTC, we were told that it was for train 9701 hauling dead 37 031
class diesel locomotive (blue), with accident damage. When
we called it was at Bosrand. Speed restriction only 30 km/h all
the way to Bloemfontein. We waited and met it between Holfontein
and Geneva, also had a couple of DZ's for braking power.
Leading was SAR maroon E 1468, still with Union Carriage
makersplate.

We were told that there was a track brakeage on the line as well,
also slowing trains working. [The Free State has had some lovely
24deg c days, but with low 6 deg c nights, this could have caused
the track to failure]. The PWI chaps were busy on the line near
Holfontein station.

From there we headed to Ventersburg and Winburg via the N1.
Just before Winburg we saw the road sign indicating Winburg
station with a metro 8Km distant - what a disappointment awaits
an unsuspecting person !

We headed over Bell's pass 1400m just outside Winburg and our
next stop was at Brandfort - all signals red.

Then we headed to Theunissen. Here the Southbound signal was
green. We have heard rumours that Transnet were busy on the
Winburg line - probably uplifting - the line is still intact and there
for now. We plan to walk along the entire line soon.

Back to Welkom via Virginia, no trains. Only caught blue RRL 35 at
Friedesheim heading to the mine at Odendaalsrus.

Winter greetings,
John & Jacque.