Free State news

Hi all.

We headed to Bloemhof today and upon arrival at the station we caught orange E1447 and Spoornet maroon sister heading South on a short load of containers. She was still heading through the station when we heard the hooter of another train. This turned out to be orange E 1678 on the Northbound Trans Karoo tourist. She was going at an incredible lick, the baggage van was hopping to - and - fro from the speed. The driver gave us a hoot, looks like we are becoming familiar even on this line now. In addition to the normal car carrier, there was another purple car carrier coach attached to the train, lower than the normal car carrier and stencilled in white "Car Carrier".

Then all the signals were red and we noticed some maize traffic being shunted in the silos with the small black diesel shunter.

A while later the Northbound signals were green again and soon orange E 1416 "OFS", SAR maroon E XXXX and a "dead" blue 10E headed through on a long load of Lime tankers and open wagons.

What was strange is that all the trains were operating "Wrong road working", probably track maintenance somewhere.

Then we headed back to Welkom. At Friedesheim we noticed blue RRL hire 35 262, waiting for orange 34 031 to clear the section with a load of mielies for Kroonstad. We also noticed plenty of Transnet Perway staff working on the line.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with the friendly guys at RRL, Welkom station. They informed us that in the wee hours of this morning a rail broke between Friedesheim and Odendaalsrus. The rail had been fixed with a temporary speed limit over the section. There had been quite a backlog of trains waiting to clear the section.

At Welkom station Transnet fitters from Kroonstad were busy servicing blue 35 257. RRL's own two locos 35 01 & 35 02 were standing alongside. Soon 34 031 headed through. A while later 35 262 returned and was attended to. They are negotiating to get 35 252 back in stead of 35 262.

The manager told us that they have two more locomotives ready at Bloemfontein, another 35 class and a 36 class as well. He could not tell us if they were coming to Welkom or not. They still have plans to construct a diesel shed in the old Welkom goods shed, also they are to hire their own diesel fitter soon. He also told us he started his career as a diesel assistant in Lydenburg, from there on he progressed to driver at Bloemfontein. He fondly recalls his time heading the Algoa. Amatola, Orange and Diamond expresses. From driver he further progressed through the ranks.

Sighting greetings.
John & Jacque.