Bloemfontein loco.

Hi all.

On Tuesday we left for Bloemfontein, the only movement we saw was a yellow BTM just before Brandfort.

We paid a quick visit to Transwerk, here we noticed plenty of brand new Shosholoza Meyl coaches standing in the workshop area, some Metro coaches as well. There was plenty of scrapped coaches and goods wagons scattered all over the place. Security is very strict and we did not really have an appointment so we moved on.

Next was a quick visit to Hamilton station. Here we just missed the Southbound car train heading through behind 2x blue 34's. A short while later a very smart looking white inspection trolley sped past and then the SPENO track grinding train left. After that, nothing. Hamilton does not look to bad, it still has some staff on the station. All the catenary has been removed.

Then we headed to the old BFX steam loco depot for a visit to Lucas Nel. Unfortunately he was not there but the friendly staff made us feel most welcome and let us wander around everywhere. Thanks guys - much appreciated. It was unfortunately a short visit and if we have got some numbers and classes wrong or if we've missed something, please rectify us.

In the workshop area we found supershine 19D 2654 - City of Bloemfontein on the tender. Work was being done on various narrow gauge locomotives and wagons.

Also here was 15E 2878 - Bethlehem on the smoke deflectors. Transnet National Collection.

Outside, derelict - GMA/M 4129 & 4090 (R) white painted numbers. Plenty of auxiliary water tanks and DZ wagons, a steam car and cabooses standing around. Also green 15F 2928 Johan Uys.

6B no. 524 white painted nos., class 7 no. 981 (green livery) white painted nos., 14R 1914 white painted nos. and 19D 3327 white painted nos..

Under the loco roof and fenced off in good condition - 19D 3332, 24 3688 Transnet National Collection, 16DA 876 TNC, 16E 875 TNC Bloemfontein,class 23 3300 Mandy TNC, 15F 2976 white painted nos.

Also under the roof not fenced off were two locos with no numbers, a 11th class and 24 if we checked correctly.

Outside again, 15AR 1850 SAR number plate. GMA/M REGM 12 / 4136 white paint, 25 NC 3410 TNC, GMA/M 4114, 15F 3040 TNC, 25NC 3454 BI Ebing TNC, on the tender SAR rebuilt at Salt river 1978 - City of Kimberley on the smoke deflectors. 25NC 3479 & worshond tender 3466.

11 classes 929 & 932 (Freegold livery) and a Cowans Sheldon steam crane circa 1890.

Also noticed in the diesel depot. Accident damaged SAR maroon diesel staged scrapped. Blue 35 265, Orange 34 033, Blue 34 607 accident damaged, Spoornet maroon 34 063. Plenty of blue steam cars standing at the far end of the shed. Also noticed two of RRL's new locomotives in their own colour scheme - a 35 class and a 36 class 36 01.

We will give you a write up of our Natal trip soon.

Greetings.
John & Jacque.