Sightings - Part I

Hi Guys.

The first train we got this morning was at Leeudoringstad. This was a load of North bound containers, she sped past behind Spoornet maroon E1461 & SAR Maroon E xxxx, greetings from the crew. Soon the signals were green again to the North, this time a load of wine tankers and more containers, this was
behind SAR Maroon E 1509 & two more SAR Maroon sisters, hoots from the crew. (The second unit still carries number plates). Here we enquired about the blue train from CTC at Klerksdorp and were told that she was running a hour late. We were also told that CTC at Vereeniging has closed and is now done
by Leeuhof.

At Makwassie we found a staged load of Lime behind blue E 18 254 & blue sister. New warning labels have been attached in four languages, with Afrikaans ook nogal! - "Before removing jumper cables, first ensure that batteries are switched off" "Wanneer oorlaaikabels verwyder word, maak seker batterye is afgeskakel". While standing around the North facing signals turned green again and TFR E 18 657, E 18 675 & E 18 xxx rushed by with a load of AZLJ hoppers, hoots from the crew. Just South of Makwassie a lone unit was standing? This turned out to be blue E 18 349. This loco must have failed and was left here. Even more warning labels were found on this loco's doors. "Danger watch your fingers and hands". I have caught my finger in a loco door and it's EINA!! Here CTC told us the Blue was now 90 minutes
late...

At Kingswood we got a South bound load of mielies behind SAR Maroon E 1544, blue E xxxx & E 18 349, the failed unit at Makwassie.  Greetings from the crew. Here were told that the Blue Train was now 2 hours late. Time was going to get the better of us so we decided to return to Makwassie and then
back home.

Finally she sped past at Makwassie station behind blue E 14 104 & blue E 14 110, plenty of hooting from the crew.

The other photos are of typical Western Transvaal scenery along the line.

Cheers.
J & J.