Sightings.

Hi all.

We caught a glimpse of the car train heading towards the Reef at Hennenman behind 2x orange 6E's.

Orange 34 499 was heading through Besempan on a load of mielies next stop was at Wesselsbron. From Brandfort to Theunissen the Northbound signals were green but no trains. Operating informed us that the Spoorbaan guys were busy on the line and the signals had been set up for their movement - "Geen treine vandag meneer..." At Vetriver we discovered an ancient fencepost with CGR on it but no date.

Near Kromellenboog we got a Northbound load of ore (110 wagons) behind 4x 10E's, leading was Spoornet Maroon E 10 046, blue E 10 xxx, Spoornet Maroon E 10 xxx and orange E 10 021. A long hoot from the crew. The next train was a short load of mielies heading South near Britten. Strangely this was behind 4x 35 class diesels. Leading was blue 35 239, Spoornet Maroon 35 xxx, orange 35 xxx and Spoornet Maroon 35 238. This driver was unfamiliar and slowed down, probably thinking speed trap! Just North of Bloemhof we got a Southbound load of containers behind orange E 1671 & orange E 1359. A few weeks ago we reported on a unit cow-catcher lying line side at Boskuil. This is still lying here - minus the patent buffer - which has gone AWOL... On closer investigation a round indentation can be made out, the size of a vehicle rim. At the nearby level-crossing we found plenty of motorcar parts. "Moenie met treine speel nie - hulle maak donners seer!" Close to Drie Ruiters another Southbound load of containers sped past, plenty of empty container wagons stenciled COEGA in the consist. Upfront was blue E 18 193 NATCOR & 2x TFR sisters. Hoots from the crew.

Our connections at Shosholoza Meyl tell us that the JHB - CTN - JHB Premiere Classe still runs behind 2x 35 class diesels all the way to Cape Town and back, but they break down quite a lot en-route...

Got orange 34 028 at Hennenman, with the return working of the Welgelee pick-up, a short load of mielies. Then a short while later a white Luxrailer trolley headed South. From Eensgevonden to Theron we followed orange E 1288 & Spoornet maroon E1405 on a Kroonstad bound train of mielie trucks and petrol tankers, friendly greetings from the crew. The spoorbaan were busy at Brandfort and some guys were busy at the Theron Substation.

We have heard that a 70 wagon Manganese ore test train was run from Kroonstad to Ladysmith behind 4x 6E's. Hope this becomes regular.

Orange 34 499 brought a load of timber into Friedesheim.

At Christiana Southbound blue E 18 165 NATCOR IMEX, leading two blue sisters came through on a load of fine coal. Hooting from the crew. Near Makwassie blue E 10 050 and TFR sister also heade South on a load of Lime. At Leeudoringstad we got a long load of ore wagons heading South behind 5x 6E's, leading was E1608, 3x orange and 1x SAR maroon following behind. Greetings from the crew. The Spoorbaan were busy just North of Leeudoringstad. The FZ is still standing at Regina with a "Not for traffic" truck card. This has been here for almost a month now.

Greetings.

J & J.