Under Construction
23 August 2011
Namaqualand gallery 2
Under Construction
Annenous Station and Nonahams
Annenous was the historic steam train station for the transport of copper and Nonahams the watering point where the original fountain and dam still exist.The Meel road, also known as the postal road, meanders up the mountain from Annenous to Nonahams and continues to Steinkopf and was built in the 1860s. Today the road is only accessible to 4x4s.
Annenous was the historic steam train station for the transport of copper and Nonahams the watering point where the original fountain and dam still exist.The Meel road, also known as the postal road, meanders up the mountain from Annenous to Nonahams and continues to Steinkopf and was built in the 1860s. Today the road is only accessible to 4x4s.
Annenous Station and Nonahams
Annenous was the historic steam train station for the transport of copper and Nonahams the watering point where the original fountain and dam still exist.The Meel road, also known as the postal road, meanders up the mountain from Annenous to Nonahams and continues to Steinkopf and was built in the 1860s. Today the road is only accessible to 4x4s.
- Nonahams, situated at the top of the Namakwaland escarpment has ABW block houses and the start of the “meel pad” pass down the escarpment. Nonahams also supplied water to Anenous for the railway. This dam still stands today.
- Annenous station and town lies at the bottom of the Namaqualand escarpment and supplied water for the steam trains travelling up the notorious Klipfontein pass. The Spektakel copper mule train also stopped here with its cargo of copper for export from Port Nolloth.
Annenous was the historic steam train station for the transport of copper and Nonahams the watering point where the original fountain and dam still exist.The Meel road, also known as the postal road, meanders up the mountain from Annenous to Nonahams and continues to Steinkopf and was built in the 1860s. Today the road is only accessible to 4x4s.
• Klipfontein Hotel Ruins as well as two Water Tanks for the Kitson type locomotives lies next to the R382 where the world famous Namaqualand mule train overnighted on its way to and from Port Nolloth.
• Klipfontein Graves from the Anglo-Boer War skirmishes between the relieving British forces and the Boer Commandos at the end of the war.
• Nonahams Dam , situated at the top of the Namaqualand escarpment has Anglo-Boer War Blockhouses and the start of the "meel pad" pass down the escarpment. Nonahams also supplied water to Annenous for the railway. This dam still stands today.
• Annenous Station and town lies at the bottom of the Namaqualand escarpment and supplied water for the steam trains travelling up the notorious Annenous pass. The Spektakel copper mule train also stopped here with its cargo of copper for export from Port Nolloth.
• Annenous Pass has the ruins of South African War blockhouses as well as the remains of the foundations of the old railway viaducts that were built of wood. These can be seen from the old gravel road pass as well as one of the blockhouses.Namaqualand gallery 1
A little bit (April 1902) of Anglo-Boer War history and images relating to the Copper Railway.
Departing Port Nolloth station, a troop train on way to end the 4 April-4 May 1902 Siege of Okiep by Boers - 12 April 1902 - Springbok Lodge & Restaurant Collection
Col. Harry Cooper, with a substantial relief force, had been dispatched from Cape Town to Port Nolloth, arriving there on the 12th April 1902. They set off immediately by train and travelled as far as they could go.
The Barkly Viaduct in the Anenous Pass in 1902 or later. This picture can be dated in two ways. It shows the viaduct made of timber after being strengthened by extra pillars to carry the weight of the Kitson mountain locomotives. These engines were first introduced in 1890. However, on the right of the picture, an Anglo Boer War blockhouse is visible - this picture therefore was probably taken after the end of hostilities on 31 May 1902. The photo shows a "Special" for passengers, which in this case, was driven by gravity down the Anenous Pass. (original copy provided by HR Moffatt)
The Barkly Viaduct in 1902 or later. Slightly different view and image quality compared to the previous picture. - Nababeep Museum Collection.
BARKLY VIADUCT: Here seemingly a troop train with a Kitson mountain locomotive in charge, going down the Anenous Pass - the Anglo Boer War blockhouse, built of stone, is just visible in the right bottom corner. This picture may have been taken around April/May 1902. - Springbok Lodge & Restaurant Collection
Although the tracks had been torn up in places, the bridges and viaducts that had been guarded by blockhouses were still intact.
Klipfontein - April 1902 - Col Harry Cooper's column on their way to relieve the Boer siege of Okiep - The train is passing in front of the Klipfontein Hotel on left of big tree (compare tree in next picture) - Springbok Lodge & Restaurant Collection
They first encountered the enemy at a place called Klipfontein which was about 45 miles out of Okiep, but the Boers had withdrawn to some higher ground that commanded the railway line.
April 1902 showing English mounted soldiers at the Klipfontein station and hotel. From an account in Deneys Reitz's COMMANDO, it can be inferred that General Smuts, on his way from Okiep to the Peace Conference via port Nolloth, had a "grand luncheon" with the English officers stationed at Klipfontein. Malcolm Dyer Collection (original copy provided by HR Moffatt)
On the 14th, Col. Cooper managed to clear the Boers out of the area by the use of a shrapnel bombardment that caused heavy casualties. At that stage he signalled to Shelton by means of heliograph that he would be in Okiep within two days, but it was not to be. His relief force was again held up at Steinkopf, and it was not until the end of April that the Boers pulled out and retreated towards Okiep.
Back in Okiep, the Boers had captured the Shelton Blockhouse after its garrison had run out of ammunition and a dynamite bomb had collapsed its roof. However, Fort Shelton managed to hold out. Further attacks continued on the 13th, but were repelled by concentrated artillery fire. Bitter fighting continued unceasingly, but the defence held.
Then on the 25th April, General Smuts had to leave the Siege and make his way by special pass through the British lines, as he was required to attend the Peace Conference at Vereeniging. Some mention of his trip on the railway line from Okiep to Port Nolloth is made in Commando: A Boer Journal of the Boer War by Deneys Reitz - first published in 1929:
OKIEP SIEGE April1902: Showing the derailed 'PIONEER' 0-4-2 loco and overturned dynamite truck after a failed attempt by the Boer forces to run an unmanned loco with dynamite into Okiep via the Concordia branch line. Malcolm Dyer Collection (original copy provided by HR Moffatt)
Maritz, who had taken over from Smuts, tried to send a rail wagon packed with dynamite and driven by an unmanned steam locomotive along the railway line into Okiep. Fortunately for the defenders the locomotive was derailed by the barbed-wire entanglements and the dynamite truck overturned.
This 0-4-2 loco named 'PIONEER' - was run unmanned by Boer forces with dynamite load into Okiep - the loco was derailed by barbed-wire and no harm was done - presumably this picture was taken after the incident when the engine had been recovered - Nababeep Museum Collection
The relief column finally arrived in Okiep at noon on 4th May when Col. Cooper, who was the senior officer, took over from Col. Shelton. Shortly afterwards, the dispirited Boer commandos withdrew from Springbokfontein and Nababeep and by the 5th May the area was cleared.
Ten days later the Peace Conference started in Vereeniging culminating in peace being signed on 31st May 1902.
Sources:
Departing Port Nolloth station, a troop train on way to end the 4 April-4 May 1902 Siege of Okiep by Boers - 12 April 1902 - Springbok Lodge & Restaurant Collection
Col. Harry Cooper, with a substantial relief force, had been dispatched from Cape Town to Port Nolloth, arriving there on the 12th April 1902. They set off immediately by train and travelled as far as they could go.
The Barkly Viaduct in the Anenous Pass in 1902 or later. This picture can be dated in two ways. It shows the viaduct made of timber after being strengthened by extra pillars to carry the weight of the Kitson mountain locomotives. These engines were first introduced in 1890. However, on the right of the picture, an Anglo Boer War blockhouse is visible - this picture therefore was probably taken after the end of hostilities on 31 May 1902. The photo shows a "Special" for passengers, which in this case, was driven by gravity down the Anenous Pass. (original copy provided by HR Moffatt)
The Barkly Viaduct in 1902 or later. Slightly different view and image quality compared to the previous picture. - Nababeep Museum Collection.
BARKLY VIADUCT: Here seemingly a troop train with a Kitson mountain locomotive in charge, going down the Anenous Pass - the Anglo Boer War blockhouse, built of stone, is just visible in the right bottom corner. This picture may have been taken around April/May 1902. - Springbok Lodge & Restaurant Collection
Although the tracks had been torn up in places, the bridges and viaducts that had been guarded by blockhouses were still intact.
Klipfontein - April 1902 - Col Harry Cooper's column on their way to relieve the Boer siege of Okiep - The train is passing in front of the Klipfontein Hotel on left of big tree (compare tree in next picture) - Springbok Lodge & Restaurant Collection
They first encountered the enemy at a place called Klipfontein which was about 45 miles out of Okiep, but the Boers had withdrawn to some higher ground that commanded the railway line.
April 1902 showing English mounted soldiers at the Klipfontein station and hotel. From an account in Deneys Reitz's COMMANDO, it can be inferred that General Smuts, on his way from Okiep to the Peace Conference via port Nolloth, had a "grand luncheon" with the English officers stationed at Klipfontein. Malcolm Dyer Collection (original copy provided by HR Moffatt)
On the 14th, Col. Cooper managed to clear the Boers out of the area by the use of a shrapnel bombardment that caused heavy casualties. At that stage he signalled to Shelton by means of heliograph that he would be in Okiep within two days, but it was not to be. His relief force was again held up at Steinkopf, and it was not until the end of April that the Boers pulled out and retreated towards Okiep.
Back in Okiep, the Boers had captured the Shelton Blockhouse after its garrison had run out of ammunition and a dynamite bomb had collapsed its roof. However, Fort Shelton managed to hold out. Further attacks continued on the 13th, but were repelled by concentrated artillery fire. Bitter fighting continued unceasingly, but the defence held.
Then on the 25th April, General Smuts had to leave the Siege and make his way by special pass through the British lines, as he was required to attend the Peace Conference at Vereeniging. Some mention of his trip on the railway line from Okiep to Port Nolloth is made in Commando: A Boer Journal of the Boer War by Deneys Reitz - first published in 1929:
OKIEP SIEGE April1902: Showing the derailed 'PIONEER' 0-4-2 loco and overturned dynamite truck after a failed attempt by the Boer forces to run an unmanned loco with dynamite into Okiep via the Concordia branch line. Malcolm Dyer Collection (original copy provided by HR Moffatt)
Maritz, who had taken over from Smuts, tried to send a rail wagon packed with dynamite and driven by an unmanned steam locomotive along the railway line into Okiep. Fortunately for the defenders the locomotive was derailed by the barbed-wire entanglements and the dynamite truck overturned.
This 0-4-2 loco named 'PIONEER' - was run unmanned by Boer forces with dynamite load into Okiep - the loco was derailed by barbed-wire and no harm was done - presumably this picture was taken after the incident when the engine had been recovered - Nababeep Museum Collection
The relief column finally arrived in Okiep at noon on 4th May when Col. Cooper, who was the senior officer, took over from Col. Shelton. Shortly afterwards, the dispirited Boer commandos withdrew from Springbokfontein and Nababeep and by the 5th May the area was cleared.
Ten days later the Peace Conference started in Vereeniging culminating in peace being signed on 31st May 1902.
Sources:
- Early railways at the Cape - Jose Burman - Human & Rousseau (1984)
- The Men who would not March - The Surrender of Concordia, Namaqualand, 4 April 1902 by
- S.A.MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY - Durban Branch November 1998 News Sheet No.285
Middelburg MP, Information Centre in Walter Sisulu Str: Class 8A #1127
SAR Class 8A no 1127 Sharp, Steward and Co worksno 4863 built 1902 - this 15 July 2012 image courtesy of Gert Beetge.
The locomotive has been restored cosmetically by these generous firms.
A monument to our past - Looking nice again after many years of neglect. This 15 July 2012 image courtesy of Gert Beetge.
This 15 July 2012 image courtesy of Gert Beetge.
15 July 2012 image courtesy of Gert Beetge.
2012 Report in the Middelburg Observer courtesy of Gert Beetge
Earliest photo of this locomotive as taken by Richard Niven in 1995.
SAR Class 8A no 1127 Sharp, Steward and Co worksno 4863 built 1902 - photo taken at Middelburg municipality by Werna Maritz
Photo by Werna Maritz
By August 2011 I was not sure if the locomotive, donated by the Transnet Heritage Foundation to Middelburg municipality, was still plinthed at the municipal offices - even though the picture above appeared on their main webpage slideshow - Google Earth seemed to have no record of the engine, and I feared that it was likely to have been relocated or even scrapped?
Fortunately Gert Beetge came to my rescue with good news: The locomotive had been relocated a short distance away to a more visible position along Walter Sisulu Street, and plans are underway to restore the locomotive cosmetically - hopefully around November 2011 - if sponsors can be found soon enough.
Unless indicated otherwise, all the following photos were kindly taken and provided by Gert Beetge:
Still plinthed at the Middelburg Civic Centre - 14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
14 Nov 2009 photo: Gert Beetge.
This Google Earth capture shows the old location of the plinth at the Municipality and also the new plinth at the Middelburg Information Centre along Walter Sisulu Street.
Plinth at Middelburg Information Centre along Walter Sisulu Street.
GPS coordinates: S 25 46 38.59 E 29 26 57.11
This article (in Afrikaans) printed in the MIDDELBURG OBSERVER, tells how Gert Beetge, while doing an early morning jog, was instrumental in the arrest of a scrap metal thieve who was caught red-handed collecting copper pipe off the old locomotive. His excuse? "It's just an old Train!" This happened in November 2010.
Latest status as reported in the MIDDELBURG OBSERVER dated 27 Sept 2011.
25 Sept 2011 photo: Gert Beetge
25 Sept 2011 photo: Gert Beetge
25 Sept 2011 photo: Gert Beetge
25 Sept 2011 photo: Gert Beetge
25 Sept 2011 photo: Gert Beetge
25 Sept 2011 photo: Gert Beetge
The locomotive dates from 1902, however the boiler plate shows that this boiler had been in use since 1929, and that the last boiler certificate expired on 8 June 1973.
A sister engine #1097 is plinthed at Potchefstroom station.
SAR Class 8 4-8-0 "Cape 8th"
The Cape Government Railways (CGR) 8th class was conceived as a mixed-traffic locomotive equally suitable for goods or passenger work. They were designed by H.M. Beatty and had larger driving wheels than the 7th class. The 4-8-0 examples were actually based on a pair of 2-8-0 engines imported by the CGR in 1901 from the American Locomotive Co, which later became the SAR Class 8X. While they retained the bar frames of these engines, Beatty added a bogie to improve the ride. The first order from the CGR consisted of 23 locomotives delivered by Neilson, Reid and Co in 1902 and 1903 and were placed in service throughout the colony. They became SAR class 8.
In 1902, 40 engines of the CGR 8th-class design were ordered by the Imperial Military Railway from Neilson, Reid and Co, and Sharp, Stewart and Co. These became the 8L-1 on the CSAR and later Class 8A on the SAR.
Under AG Watson, chief mechanical engineer of the SAR during 1929-35, many of the front ends of the 8th classes were redesigned, using piston instead of slide valves, and the engines were superheated.
The 8th class had fine engines, and saw service on every system of the SAR, becoming the mainstay of motive power on many branch lines in the 1920s. They ended their days on shunting service until 1972 when all were withdrawn.
+SH+Carter+-+p62+in+vol+1+steam+locos+of+SAR+DF+Holland+SAR+class+8+no+1088.JPG)
This photo of SAR Class 8 no 1088 showing the locomotive in the form which the class 8 was originally built. The Class 8A would appear identical. Of note is the Stephenson slide valve gear visible in the photo. In the years 1929-36 when AG Watson was chief mechanical engineer of the SAR, many of the class 8 locomotives were upgraded with piston valve gear, such as is visible on the locomotive plinthed at Potchefstroom station. (The original photo above was taken by SH Carter and appears in DF Holland's Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways.)
ex-CSAR No's 401 - 440.
Builders and Year........: Neilson, Reid & Co. & Sharp Stewart and Co. (1902)
Numbering................: 1092 - 1131
Wheel Arrangement........: 4-8-0
Driving Wheel Diameter...: 4 ft. 0 in.
Cylinders................: 2 x 18½ in. x 24 in.
Valve Gear...............: Stephenson's Link Motion
. . . . N O T E: Many were later converted to Piston Valve Gear
Boiler Pressure..........: 180 lbs per square in.
Grate Size...............: 21.3 square ft.
Tractive Force...........: 23,100 lbs
Length...................: 54 ft. 5 in.
Weight...................: 58 tons 1,300 lbs
Axle Load................: 11 tons 1,600 lbs
Tender Weight............: 43 tons 100 lbs
Coal Capacity............: 10 tons
Water Capacity...........: 3,000 gallons
Tender Types.............: XC, XC1, XD, XE, XE1, XF, XF1, XF2, XJ, XM, XM1, XM2 & XM3
The famous ‘Julieo’ alias Eleven Twenty Seven train was donated to Middelburg in 1972 where she rested for 26 years at Steve Twshete Local Municipality in Middelburg Mpumalanga.
The train was rescued by Mrs. Anna-Marth Ott, CEO of Middelburg Chamber of Commerce
Then the imaginative BIG move started for this 61 ton Locomotive. Months of planning to get the timing 100% for this move to the Busmid Building at the Chamber of Commerce. The big day was on the 6 October 2010, the town was filled with Riggers, Safety Managers, Managers CEO’s of the sponsors, 71 ton Crane, and Lowbed Trucks, it seemed like Middelburg was moving.
The moving action took a full 12 hours to complete. Julieo had to be treated for some serious ‘einas’ that happened as a result of a lack of maintenance over the 26 years at the municipality.
Nothing ever runs smoothly. During the lifting process to place Julieo on her new laid tracks at the Busmid Building in front of Dros, the crane had to put her down because the ground was unstable and the huge crane’s feet started sinking into the ground.
At 18h18 Julieo was placed on her new honored tracks for a well deserved rest and renovation that will be driven by the Middelburg Rotarians.
Builders and Year........: Neilson, Reid & Co. & Sharp Stewart and Co. (1902)
Numbering................: 1092 - 1131
Wheel Arrangement........: 4-8-0
Driving Wheel Diameter...: 4 ft. 0 in.
Cylinders................: 2 x 18½ in. x 24 in.
Valve Gear...............: Stephenson's Link Motion
. . . . N O T E: Many were later converted to Piston Valve Gear
Boiler Pressure..........: 180 lbs per square in.
Grate Size...............: 21.3 square ft.
Tractive Force...........: 23,100 lbs
Length...................: 54 ft. 5 in.
Weight...................: 58 tons 1,300 lbs
Axle Load................: 11 tons 1,600 lbs
Tender Weight............: 43 tons 100 lbs
Coal Capacity............: 10 tons
Water Capacity...........: 3,000 gallons
Tender Types.............: XC, XC1, XD, XE, XE1, XF, XF1, XF2, XJ, XM, XM1, XM2 & XM3
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010
JULIEO – THE TRAIN OF FAME
(Original source of this article is HERE)
The famous ‘Julieo’ alias Eleven Twenty Seven train was donated to Middelburg in 1972 where she rested for 26 years at Steve Twshete Local Municipality in Middelburg Mpumalanga.
The train was rescued by Mrs. Anna-Marth Ott, CEO of Middelburg Chamber of Commerce
Then the imaginative BIG move started for this 61 ton Locomotive. Months of planning to get the timing 100% for this move to the Busmid Building at the Chamber of Commerce. The big day was on the 6 October 2010, the town was filled with Riggers, Safety Managers, Managers CEO’s of the sponsors, 71 ton Crane, and Lowbed Trucks, it seemed like Middelburg was moving.
The moving action took a full 12 hours to complete. Julieo had to be treated for some serious ‘einas’ that happened as a result of a lack of maintenance over the 26 years at the municipality.
Nothing ever runs smoothly. During the lifting process to place Julieo on her new laid tracks at the Busmid Building in front of Dros, the crane had to put her down because the ground was unstable and the huge crane’s feet started sinking into the ground.
At 18h18 Julieo was placed on her new honored tracks for a well deserved rest and renovation that will be driven by the Middelburg Rotarians.
This day would never have been possible without the generous sponsorships from:
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality-Steam Locomotive- Escorting the low beds and controlling of traffic, Johan Janse van Rensburg/ Marius Brits-Project Manager/Planning, Builders Market-Building material, Siyakana Construction- Building, Quick Step-Concrete for foundation, Van Wettens-Transport, Johan Lee Bouers- Filling Sand, Ammeka Industries-Lifting equip. testing, Midplan Vervoer/Cemsquared/Hytec- Filling Sand, Columbus Stainless-Lifting Equipment/manpower, EPA- Survey of new area, Kanonkop Hardware-Barrier tape and Vests, F&K Engineering-Palisade modifications /loco, ME Industries-Transport of lifting Equip., Johnson Crane Hire-Crane, Schalk Smit-Labour, Sakkie Swart- Rigging Supervisor, Kanhym Estates-Gazebo, Little Elephant-Sound System, Dros- Parking Area and Umbrella's, Stimela Rail-Rails & Gravel, Executive Risk Control- Security Guards, Optimum Coal-Rigging equipment, Talisman-Compactors.
Posted by Middelburg Rotary Club (District 9400) at 2:34 PM
Sources:
- Railways of Southern Africa - Locomotive Guide 1994 by John Middleton
- SAR Steam 3ft 6in SAR Class 8A Tender
- http://middelburgrc.blogspot.com/2010/11/julieo-train-of-fame.html
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