Sightings

Hi Guys.

First train of the day was at Virginia, the Northbound car train. At first we thought this train was very late but it turned out the running times have been changed, hoots from the crew.

Later we got 34 067 between Welkom and Mothusi on the return working of the Bothaville pick-up.

At Leeudoringstad we just missed a single orange 6E heading back to Klerksdorp light loco. While we were waiting for the Blue Train 3x 18E's came past on the load of rail bolsters and wine tankers. This load got held back at Daalder for the Blue to pass. Friendly greetings from the crew.

The Blue came past about "right time" with plenty of hoots from the crew.

Operating told us another Southbound load was at Regina heading our way and a Northbound load was just leaving Bloemhof. Unfortunately time caught up with us and we never saw these trains.

At least we got the load that was held back for the Blue Train heading through Makwasssie.

Cheers.
J & J.

Sightings

Hi Guys.

The empty car train heading South through Karee.

Cheers.
J & J.

Sightings

Hi Guys.

Between Theunissen and Theron.

Cheers.
J & J.

Sightings

Hi Guys.

Today we found E 1473 staged at Hennenman, note all the windows are open...
Les have a look at the weeds in the yard area! While we were here 34 906
came through with yesterday's train that was staged at the silos.

We then headed towards Virginia and saw a unit hauling a damaged diesel
locomotive towards Bloemfontein. These trains have a 30km/h speed
restriction so we easily got ahead of her and waited line side between
Cronnel and Welgelee.

While we were waiting for this train a Kroonstad bound load of mielies and
fuel sped past, greetings from the crew. Then E 1276 trundled past with 35
346. Does anybody know what might have happened to her?

At Bultfontein we got the pick-up, staged, crews time up.

Amazingly the corrugated iron goods shed still stands!

Cheers.
J & J.

Sightings

Hi Guys.

34 906 was staged at Hennenman silos.

E 1583 & E 1575 were getting some attention from a faulty, also at
Hennenman. 34 045 was being hauled dead to Bloemfontein works.

The track shot is at Kalkvlakte looking towards Whites.

Cheers.
J & J.

Saturday afternoon on the Free State mainline.

Hi Guys.

Well our normally dead line was quite active this afternoon.

I gave my buddy a call and he told me he was on his way back from
Bloemfontein with a load of containers, mielies and fuel. He had worked an
air braked load of containers though this morning. We got him at Whites
where the uplifted leg of the tri-angle to Welkom used to be. Plenty of
hoots.

We noticed the Southbound signals were also green and were duly informed
that the empty car train was on its way. Then we learnt that Fridays
Virginia ballast shunt was staged at Hennenman and was also about to leave
for Kroonstad.

We decided to get both trains at Holfontein. The car train arrived first and
thundered past, next was the pick-up, which also didn't mess around coming
through, friendly greetings from the crews as usual.


Cheers.
J & J.

Sightings

Hi Guys.

We got 34 037 at Virginia doing the shunting at the ballast siding.

Next was 3x 6E's heading to Kroonstad light, this was at Cronnel, between Welgelee and Virginia. Hoots from the crew.

At Ferreira, on the Springfontein line, we managed to get a Bloemfontein bound, empty, Lime train, again hoots from the crew. The load was a mix of "O" fruit trucks with the sides removed, DKJ, DZJ and normal Lime tankers.

The lines to Kimberley, Springfontein and Bethlehem all look shiny.

On the way back operating told us that a Southbound load was heading our way between Welgelee and Theron. These units will work the car train back to Kroonstad later this evening. This was a load of mielies and fuel tankers. Friendly greetings and hoots from the crew.

Included is a shot of the "Oranje Vrystaat" near Theunissen, Theronskop is in the background, the line leading to Theron is visible. This is just after where the Winburg line branches off the main line.

Cheers.
J & J.