Sightings this week

Hi all.

First sightings for the week were the following. Near Leeudoringstad the signals were showing green aspects. We got the Northbound Tourist Trans Karoo behind orange E 1382 OFS, blue steam car and Shosholoza Meyl coaches. The rails started singing long before the train appeared. Next was a Southbound load of empty rail bolsters behind orange E 1688, a Gulf red and Quaker grey caboose was also in the consist. This train crossed the Trans Karoo here. Later on she was looped again for a Northbound load of DZ's and containers behind orange E 1261 & SAR maroon E 1604. A skidded wheel was clearly heard in the consist. Then just after Makwassie we got another Northbound load of ore hoppers behind 4x 10E's, leading was blue E 10 026 and 2x SAR maroon & 1 Spoornet maroon sisters. Last sighting was near Grasslands, this was orange E xxxx heading light loco Southwards after completing the shunting at the silos along the line, plenty of hooting from the crew.

We got orange 34 031 on the Glen Harmony branch, taking lime tankers to the exchange yard. On the return the driver stopped to have a chat and we were invited to travel to Virginia. Last time was in 1989 on a 15F. At Whites we got a Northbound petrol train, staged and pantos down, behind orange E 1228 & Spoornet maroon E 1307. This train must have failed, as a short while later SAR maroon E 1637 & orange E 1413 OFS, came from Kroonstad to take the load further.

An interesting Free State newspaper and radio item. The Provincial Government department of Transport has stated that a fast [160 km/h] train is to be introduced from.. wait for it, Sasolburg to of all places, Gariep dam, probably
Donkerpoort station. Seems Vaalrivier, Barbers [Cat Fish] are not as good as those in Oranjerivier. Hence fast express train for fishermen. Who else would want to travel from no where to no where. Except to SPEED through our lovely flat now very cold, windy VRYSTAAT? Recent items about Arries,got a driver talking. When he was a young fireman on Zastron line, after getting fire in order he would walk back to see how guard and labourers were managing in loading the van. He mentioned that on one occasion they loaded a cat fish with metre long whiskers.

Another myth or not? It has been said that the Class 26 was painted red, due to an incorrect item number on the paint requisition. Is this fact or was red specially chosen for Class 26? What shade of red was used?

Some information please. We have a few metal castings [Brake blocks and "Sarcast" axle box covers], with codes FZ on brake blocks and VZ on covers. Also some PVC castings [Fire extinguishes case and indicator sign], with codes BZ on case and UZ on indicator. Was BZ Bloemfontein and UZ Uitenhage work shops. FZ and VZ unknown.

Noticed a Southbound load of mielies behind Spoornet maroon 34 xxx near Karee, the pick-up from Theunissen and Brandfort. Later near Brandfort we got a white inspection trolley also heading South. Ex St Helena 16CR's nos. 4 & 6 have been cut up. Absolutely nothing remains of the old loco shed, even the rails have gone. If someone did not know there was a loco shed once, they would now never know.

At Hennenman we got orange 34 028 shunting in the yard, on completing this, off to Kroonstad with plenty of hooting for the Spoorbaan guys busy on the line. Next, at Theunissen, SAR maroon E 1624 & orange E 1261 were standing light locos waiting for a crew change then off to Kroonstad. Lastly, all four of RRL's loco were lined up in Welkom station.

Last sightings for the week started at Friedesheim, here we got orange 34 043 shunting the timber siding. Just before Bloemhof the Southbound signals were displaying yellow aspects. Soon orange E 1264, SAR maroon E 1544 and 2x blue 18E's came past on a load of Lime in open containers, on container flat trucks. There is a temporary speed limit of 30Km/h from here through the station, plenty of derailment damaged sleepersb are lying along the rails as well as new ones. Then near Drie Ruiters we got another Southbound train of mielies behind orange E 1211 Cape Western and SAR maroon E 1610. Then South of Makwassie we got a Southbound load of Nitrate, Creosote poles and Lime. This was behind orange E 1316 OVS, 2 more orange and 1 SAR maroon 6E's, friendly greetings from the crew. A "flat wheel" was clearly heard knocking in the consist.

To finish of, one of those "Only in Africa" stories.

On our footplate trip, just before Virginia, where the Glen Harmony branch reaches the mainline, we came to a halt. The driver told us he had to stop at the "Spook sinjaal". He contacted Virginia cabin on the radio and they gave him authority to pass this signal at danger. The thing is there is no signal here anymore! Only the concrete foundation rings remain! We were told by someone else that this signal went"AWOL" a while back and had never been replaced... It is still regarded as a red signal though.

Greetings.
J & J.