Sightings

Hi all.

We got a YQ of a special passenger train for Cosatu from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg and return, this was run over the weekend.

Orange 34 058 was shunting in Virginia. She picked up a load of AY ballast hoppers and left for Kroonstad. The Spoorbaan were busy repairing damage to the embankment just before the Sand river bridge.

We paid a visit to Marquard. The station looks as it did on our last visit - destroyed. The station buildings and goods shed still stand. The platform is totally overgrown.

As we thought the lines at old St Helena are disappearing, the Zama, Zamas are mining the uplifted track bed. Goldfields track is busy uplifting the old rails. The areas at the disused mines are becoming very dangerous to visit. Last week two people were killed at St Helena.

RRL's 33 class looks splendid on the ore haulages.

At the showgrounds exchange yard with Harmony we got orange 34 028 bringing in Lime tankers.

The "runner" for the petrol tankers at Bothaville was a FB parcels wagon.

We had quite a good day in the old Western Transvaal system - no less than 11 trains in 4 hours between Regina and Christiana. Almost, all the way, there was either a train just behind us, next to us, or just in front of us.

At Regina, a South bound load of empty DZ's, behind SAR Maroon E 1532, got looped for a crossing. These DZ's had OREX and Halfweg stenciled on their sides. A short way down the line Spoornet maroon E 10 008 "Newcastle" and blue E 10 012 approached the crossing point with a load of Lime and BALJ wagons.

Close to Harrisburg Orange E 1343 OFS and orange E 1280 was waiting on the loop for E 1532. The load was a string of empty container wagons, all brand new, even the wheels.

Near Leeubos another North bound load was waiting for the load of DZ's. Orange E 1708 Natcor One and SAR Maroon E 1615 were on a load of AZLJ hoppers.

At Makwassie we got the crew bakkie bringing staff to a staged North bound load of ore trucks. Up front were blue E 18 362, TFR E 18 615, blue E 18 xxx and TFR E 18 xxx. E 1532 caught up to us again here and headed through Makwassie at a leisurely pace.

Near Drie Ruiters orange E 1633 headed North with the pick - up on a load of mielies.

At Kingswood the Spoorbaan had occupation on one line. Here we caught up to a Southbound container train that had just gone over the detonators. On the lead end were orange E 1288 and orange E 12xx.

As we approached Bloemhof a North bound load of containers came through at full speed behind two orange 6 E's. By this time the South bound container train had caught up again and they crossed is a blur of dust and noise, Impossible to get the unit's numbers on the Northbound train. Bloemhof was packed with all sorts of goods wagons, including three rail bolsters - "For conveyance of Rails only" - stenciled on these.

Just South of Bloemhof another North bound load headed our way. This time a mixed load of everything. Motive power was SAR Maroon E 1544 Kaap and another SAR maroon sister. Also behind the electrics was blue 34 456, being hauled dead - no damage could be seen on this diesel, just a transfer or going in for minor repairs.

We headed into a refreshing thunder storm here and soon the African veld was smelling fresh after the rains.

Next, near Britten, was yet another North bound load of ore, this time behind 4x blue 10 E's. Leading was E 10 043. This driver dipped the headlight a couple of times to greet us. As usual plenty of hoots and waves were received from all the crews.

Just before Kromellemboog the Spoorbaan had occupation of one line again. So we caught up to the container train behind E 1288, again. Waiting at the other end of the occupation was a North bound load of tarpaulin covered Lime behind SAR Maroon E 10 121 and blue E 10 xxx. At Christiana we said farewell to the container train speeding past. Here we picked up a piece of Spoornet crockery between the ballast.

We paid a quick visit to the Johannesburg and Pretoria areas. Plenty of Metros and goods trains were seen. Also, the construction of the Gautrain looks really impressive. We got a ballast machine busy on the line and a road / rail truck. Plenty of contractors busy all along the line.

Maroon 34 453 was shunting FZ's and AY hoppers at Hennenman before she left towards Virginia.

Greetings.
J & J.