GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX of towns covered - BLOG edition 60

A new Book covering the 2ft Gauge Railway from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur and Patensie

The railway was originally described in detail in Sydney Moir's seminal book, Twenty-four Inches Apart (Oakwood Press in 1963). More recently the story has been covered in eight parts of the authors' Soul of a Railway (SOAR) series published online and it is this material which forms the basis of this new book.

This 265 page hardback book printed on high quality paper brings the story up to date and focuses on new, fascinating and compelling information about the railway, particularly the political shenanigans that plagued its turbulent latter years. These are recounted by the author (Charlie Lewis), the Regional Engineer responsible for the line from 1981 to 1986 and also one of South Africa's most prolific photographers.

The SOAR material has been edited by John Hunt, Dick Manton and John Middleton who have all spent a lot of time in South Africa and visited the line on many occasions. The text is complimented by a wide selection of over 350 photographs, many in colour and previously unpublished, with contributions from many of the world's leading railway photographers. The authors believe this new book will form THE definitive record of the Railway in its latter years.

To Purchase go to:  https://shop.myonlinebooking.co.uk/festrail/shop/product.aspx?id=14678

N E W S
Latest updates

1. 2013.07.08: new:  VEREENIGING: Teknorama Museum, 1 Beethoven Street, Duncanville, Bagnall 2588/1938
2. Jan Kempdorp; Town Centre; SAR Class 19D no 2656
3. 2013.12.20: new:Strand Station (1969 - later removed), Class 5B no 723 (BP 4567/1904) ex CGR no 905
4. 2013.12.20: new:Locomotion - National Railway Museum, Shildon (UK), ex-SAR Class 7A no 993 / CGR no 390
5. 2013.12.20: new: Rayton, Getaway Farm (Van der Merwe), Class 8DW no 1219
6. 2013.12.20: new:KEMPTON PARK Station, Class 8DW no 1219 (1973 - later removed)

GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX
OF PLACE NAMES

1. SOUTH AFRICA

Aliwal North, Station Approach, SAR Class 7 No 982
Allanridge: (old) Mine Club House - ex-Loraine Gold Mine No 1 - 4-8-2T NBL "Pauline"
Ashton Municipality - Class 14CRB No2010
Avontuur, Town Centre, SAR Class NG15 No NG147
Barberton Caravan Park - Class 6B No536
Barkly East, Town Centre, Class 19D no 2510
Benoni Museum, 4-6-2T Hawthorn Leslie No 2557
Bethlehem Museum - Class 6C No 544 before moved to Sandstone.

Bloemfontein

1. Anglo-Boer War Museum, SAR Class 7 No 975
2. Transwerk Workshop, SAR Class 16DA No 878
3. old Steam Locomotive Depot (many locomotives)

Boksburg - Bokkie Park, North British Locomotive works #24520 4-8-2T industrial locomotive
Breyten - Main Street, Class 19 no 1369
Calvinia - Museum - Class 24 No3608

Cape Town

1. Claremont: Children's Playground, Belvedere Road: Brooks 2725 1896
2. Epping, "PUG", Bagnall no 3056 built in 1953
3. Intaka Island, Century City: 2 locomotives on display
4. Newlands: SAB Ohlssons Brewery: Peckett Locomotive # 1029 built in 1904
5. Paarden Eiland Steam running Shed (defunct)
6. Railway Station concourse, "BLACKIE" Hawthorns & Co Leith Engine Works No. 162
7. Salt River Railway Workshops, SAR Class 8D No 1200
8. Table Mountain, Waterworks Museum: Constructor loco built by Andrew Barclay
9. Monument Station: Atlantic Rail's operation of SAR 24 #3655 (in steam)

Colenso - Municipal Offices

1. "ESCOM" Bagnall 2571/1937
2. "TUGELA" Hawthorne Leslie 3858/1935

Coligny, Town Centre, SAR Class 19D No 3328

De Aar

1. part 1, "Loco Shed", SAR Class 8F No 1236
2. part 2a, Locomotive Graveyard: SAR Class 24 No 3652
3. part 2b, Locomotive Graveyard: SAR Class 12A No 2123
4. part 2c, Locomotive Graveyard: SAR Class GO No 2586
5. part 3, Station Scenes in May 2009
6. part 4, Excelsior Park: Railway Recreation Club, preserved Cab of Class 25NC No 3434 "CORRY"

Dundee, Talana Museum, Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal
Durban - Railway Station, "NATAL", 1st loco to haul a public train in SA
Ermelo, in town on R29 road, Class 8A No 1106
Estcourt station platform, H2 No 314 (later unplinthed to KZN Railway Museum)
Fauresmith, Municipality, SAR Class 8BW No.1153

George

1. Entrance to Transport MUSEUM, SAR Class 7A No 1009
2. OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM 1/4
3. OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM 2/4
4. OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM 3/3
5. OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM 4/4

Germiston

1. loco shed (derelict), SAR Class 12R No 1947 "Rosie" (before moved to Reefsteamers)
2. Reefsteamers Germiston Depot, "PATRYS" SAR Class A No 130

Graaff Reinet, Kollege Road (N9) - Class 6 No429
Grahamstown, Railway Station, SAR Class GDA No 2257 (Garratt)
Grahamstown: Blaauwkrantz Bridge Disaster (1911)

Hartenbos Station, SAR Class 8 no 1070 (scrapped) 
Hartenbos (Voorbaai) Loco Shed: February 2011 Images
Heidelberg Station Museum (previously Heidelberg Transport Museum)
Jan Kempdorp; Town Centre; SAR Class 19D no 2656

Johannesburg City Power

1. Municipal Depot, 0-4-0ST "George" RSHN 7398/1948
2. Reuven Head Office, 0-6-0ST "Elizabeth" RSHN 7805/1954

Johannesburg, Gold Reef City

1. part 1, SAR Class 19D No 3345
2. part 2, SAR Class NG/G16 No NG111 (Garratt)
3. part 3, WG Bagnall 0-4-2T works # 2870 built 1948
4. part 4, Hudswell, Clarke Co Ltd. 0-6-0T works # 1578 built 1926
5. part 5, Manning, Wardle & Co Ltd. 0-4-0T works # 1583 built 1902

Johannesburg, James Hall Transport Museum

1. part 1, R & W Hawthorn works # 3838 built 1934
2. part 2, Maschinen Fabrik Esslingen works # 2877 built 1897
3. part 3, John Fowler & Co (Leeds) Ltd works # 16129 built 1924.
4. part 4, 0-6-0F (fireless) Andrew Barclay works # 2059 built 1938

Johannesburg, Station forecourt - 1972, SAR Class 16B No 805 (Removed)

Joubertina Railway Station

1. NG80 part 1
2. NG80 part 2

Kaalfontein - Esselen Park College, SAR Class 15CA no's 2802 & 2804

KEMPTON PARK Station, Class 8DW no 1219 (1973 - later removed)

Kimberley

1. "Big Hole" Mine Museum - "BEACONSFIELD" Steam Tram Loco
2. "Big Hole" Mine Museum - "OLIVE"
3. Railway Station, SAR Class 25NC No 3411

King William's Town - Station Forecourt, SAR Class 6D No 579 

Klerksdorp

1. North West Transport Museum
2. Railway Station Platform, Class 7 #980

Klipplaat, Railway junction, SAR Class 15AR No 1840
Kroonstad, Station forecourt, SAR Class 10BR No. 756

Krugersdorp: SANRASM's Chamdor site (Just a memory!)
Krugersdorp: SANRASM

1. "Hunslet" 790/1902 (removed to Eskom)
2. "Kitty" 2269/1879 (removed to Eskom)

Lichtenburg NW Agricultural Museum

1. part 1, SAR Class 19D no 2711
2. part 2, ex-SAR Class 11 no 946

Louis Trichardt station, SAR Class 8 no 1090
Lydenburg, Station platform, Class 7A no 1029

Mafikeng Museum - SAR Class 6H No627
Matjiesfontein Village - Class 7 No 987
Middelburg MP, Municipality, Class 8A No 1127
Modimolle (Nylstroom), locomotive "Nylstroom"
Mookgophong (Naboomspruit), Municipal Offices, SAR Class 19D No 2534

Nababeep - Mine Museum:

1. "CLARA" built by Kitson & Co in 1891
2. The Namaqualand Copper Mine Railway - a brief history
3. Locomotives of the Namaqualand Copper Railway
4. "The little railway in Namaqualand" written by Richard Thomas Hall
5. Richard Thomas Hall - 1st builder of the Copper Mine Railway in Namaqualand
6. Traveling on the Copper Mine Railway in Namaqualand - some personal accounts

Nigel

1. Main Street: Hudswell, Clarke Co Ltd. 0-6-0T works # 11486 built 1924
2. Union Carriage & Waggon Works Main Gate : SAR Class 6 No 432

Olifantsfontein: Brikor Limited, 1 Premier Rd: ex SAR A Class #176

Paddock - KZN, Locomotive Graveyard (former ACR engines)

Patensie, Station, NG81 SAR Class NGG13 Han 10633/1928
Pietermaritzburg (Hilton Station), KZN Railway Museum (possibly defunct?)
Polokwane (Pietersburg), locomotive "Pietersburg"
Port Alfred: The Sad History of the "AID" - Fox Walker 352/1877
Port Alfred: Kowie Railway (1883-1913)

Port Elizabeth

1. EPRFU Stadium, SAR Class 15AR No 1842
2. Humewood Road - Locomotive Graveyard

Potchefstroom station forecourt, Class 8A no 1097
Potgietersrus, Town, SAR Class 19D No2541

Pretoria

1. Fort Klapperkop Military Museum, SAR Class 6B No 498
2. Koedoespoort Workshops, SAR Class 6A No 482
3. Station Platform 4, SAR Class B No 47 (NZASM No 242)

Prieska, Station, SAR Class 7C No 1062

Queenstown

1. Queens Casino, Class 15AR no 2016
2. Station, Locomotive Graveyard

Rayton, Getaway Farm (Van der Merwe), Class 8DW no 1219

Riebeeckstad - Railway Museum (privately run)

Riversdale, Town Center Class 7 No970

Roodepoort

1. Florida Junction shopping centre - North British Locomotive works #24386 4-8-2T industrial locomotive
2. Railway Station - plinthed class 10BR no. 750

Rustenburg, Railway Station, Class 15CA no. 2055

Sandstone Estates (near Ficksburg):

1. Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 (Sandstone), ex-SANRASM (Krugersdorp), ex-DUNNs(Witbank), ex-New Machavie Gold Mine Ltd

Schweizer-Reneke, Town Centre, SAR Class 19D No 2682
Secunda, Sasol Synfuels East, ex-SAR Class 19B No 1413
Skukuza, Selati Train Restaurant, SAR Class 24 No 3638

Somerset West

1. AECI Firegrove Works: Borsig 7364 1909 Fireless Locomotive
2. Happy Days Pre-Primary School, Reservoir Road: Borsig 11796 1924 Fireless Locomotive

Sterkstroom, Municipality - SAR Class 19A No692
Strand Station (1969 - later removed), Class 5B no 723 (BP 4567/1904) ex CGR no 905
Strand: Children's Playground, Du Toit Street: Borsig 8370 1912 Fireless Locomotive
Theunissen, Town, SAR Class 16DA N0. 850

Touws River

1. Municipality - Class 23 No 2556
2. Touws River - Ladismith branch line (Makadas train) [1925-1981]
3. Ladismith line - more 1979/1980 historical photos by David Perl

Uitenhage, Old Railway Station Museum, SAR Classes 6B and 10BR locomotives
Upington, Railway Station - Class 7 No950 "Grietjie"

VEREENIGING

1. Station Forecourt, SAR Class 6B no 500
2. Teknorama Museum, 1 Beethoven Street, Duncanville, Bagnall 2588/1938

Vink siding, near Robertson (Gospel Express), SAR Class 15CA No 2828
Volksrust, Town Centre (Voortrekker Park), Class 19D no 2696
Vryburg, Town Centre, Class 19D No 3356
Wakkerstroom, Town, SAR Class 19D N0 2690
Warrenton, Town, SAR Class 19D No 2688 
White River, abandoned Station platform, GCA 2196

Witbank

1. Railway Station, SAR Class 11 No 942
2. Tiny Tots Nursery School, Avonside 1858/1...

Worcester Museum - old Loco Shed

1. Exterior of museum
2. Interior of museum
3. Borsig 11646/1924 (BESSIE)
4. SAR Class 15F No. 2994

Plinthed loco's ex Canefield Tramways:

1. Darnall, Sugar Mill, Avonside 1740/1916 "MR BUSS"
2. Durban, Sugar Terminal - Maydon Warf: Avonside 1422/1900
3. Gledhow, Sugar Mill, Hunslet 2647/1942
4. Mtubatuba, Umfolozi Village, ?Hunslet 1032/1914 relic
5. Umzinto, Indian Koran School, Hunslet 3385/1946
6. Witbank, Tiny Tots Nursery School, Avonside 1858/1...
7. SEZELA Sugar Mill: Sezela No 1 - Avonside 1719/1915
8. RENISHAW Sugar Estate: Renishaw No 2 - Avonside 1986/1926
9. The Kearsney-Stanger Light Railway (1901-c.1944)

Special Items:

Commemorative stamp issue - 150th anniversary of South African Railways


2. NAMIBIA

Keetmanshoop

1. Railway Station - Class 7A No 1011
2. Railway Shed - SAR Class 24 no's 3611 & 3612
3. Railway Yard - Craven Brothers breakdown steam crane SAR no 45

Otjiwarongo, Railway Station
Rehoboth Museum, relics of Rehoboth Town Railway from 1913
Tsumeb, Museum
Usakos, Railway Station
Walvis Bay, HOPE

Windhoek

1. Alte Feste Museum
2. Windhoek, Railway Station

3. ELSEWHERE

Locomotion - National Railway Museum, Shildon (UK), ex-SAR Class 7A no 993 / CGR no 390

Some "Names" used for Steam Locomotive Classes and some none steam types.

SAR 19D 3321 - NB 26041-1948 Part 2 - 2015 Transfer from Voorbaai to Ceres (Ceres Railway Line Project)

This is part 2 "Transfer to Ceres" , for "Restoration" see part 1

The following collection of images (not in complete chronological order) covers the transfer of the first locomotive (ex-SAR 19D 3321 - NB 26041/1948) [after restoration at Voorbaai Loco Shed] to Ceres during the period 16, 17 & 18 October 2015. 

My thanks to all the photographers!!!

The actual transfer happened on 17 and 18 October 2015.

Press Release dated 1 September 2015
 (see complete text at bottom of this entry)

 

NOTE a correction has been made to the original Press Release: Ceres Rail Company bought the coaches of the former Transnet Heritage Fund's Union Limited Steam Railtours operation together with three steam locomotives. They are in the process of refurbishing the train. The steam train from Cape Town station will take tourists into the Ceres valley over weekends. The first locomotive and some seven coaches will be completed soon. The picturesque Ceres valley is not only the origin of the best of South Africa's fruit and wine products, but also one of the top tourism destinations in the country.

*pointed out by Alexander James Knight, thanks!

The locomotives bought by the Ceres Rail Company are:

1. ex-SAR 19D 3321 - NB 26041/1948 "JESSICA" (converted to oil burner in 2015) [formerly 3321 ran with a type MX "Vanderbilt" tender, now fitted with type MT high-sided tender which is more suitable for an oil burner]
2. ex-SAR 19D 3322 - NB 26042/1948 "SARAH-JANE" (oil burner)
3. ex-SAR 19B 1412 - BM 9838/1930 "BAILEY" (1412 was last operational on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe - currently [Oct 2015] being restored at Voorbaai ) 

Friday 16 October 2015


Friday 16 Oct 2015 - 04h11 VOORBAAI Loco Shed (6 sec exposure) © Wayne R. Nauschutz. 3321 getting all heated up.


Friday 16 Oct 2015 - 04h13 VOORBAAI Loco Shed (3 sec exposure) © Wayne R. Nauschutz. 3321 getting all heated up.


VOORBAAI Loco Shed © Andre Somers: Early Friday 16 Oct: Jessica gets all steamed-up about her pending trip to Ceres.


Friday 16 Oct 2015 - 05h32 VOORBAAI Loco Shed (42 sec exposure) © Wayne R. Nauschutz. Note that the headlamp was being replaced here.


Friday 16 Oct 2015 - 05h47 VOORBAAI Loco Shed (1/2 sec exposure) © Wayne R. Nauschutz


Jessica in the veld after running out of breath - Friday morning 16 Oct © Andre Somers


Jessica in the veld - Friday morning 16 Oct © Andre Somers


VOORBAAI © Andre Somers: Friday morning 16 Oct: Jessica being hauled back to the Loco shed at Voorbaai. In the morning the locomotive suffered a setback with the oil (that being of poor quality) and as a result poor steaming quality. The necessary repairs was completed at Voorbaai after which the train would again attempt the transfer on Saturday 17 Oct.


Back at VOORBAAI Loco Shed © Andre Somers


Back at VOORBAAI Loco Shed © Andre Somers


Friday 16 Oct 2015 - 09h45 VOORBAAI Loco Shed © Wayne R. Nauschutz: Fault finding underway.


Friday 16 Oct 2015 - 10h13 VOORBAAI Loco Shed © Wayne R. Nauschutz: Fitter O. Venter removing a washout plug.

Jeremy Hutton posted this message on fb: CLASS 19D No. 3321 VOORBAAI TO CERES TRANSFER: Hi everyone. I appologise for the silence and I send this on behalf of the Admin. We had to wait for the confirmation from Transnet.This morning the locomotive suffered a setback with the oil (that being of poor quality) and as a result poor steaming quality. The necessary repairs have been completed and with Transnet's permission we now can perform the transfer tomorrow, Saturday 17 October 2015. She will be departing from Voorbaai at 06:00 and will overnight at Robertson. It will follow the YQ pattern with the exception of departing a hour later from Voorbaai.

Saturday 16 October 2015


Saturday 17 Oct: MOSSEL BAY © Stefan Andrzejewski: Pushing back in Mossel Bay with the load ready to take the road


MOSSEL BAY © Stefan Andrzejewski: Points set and all clear


© Stefan Andrzejewski: We are on our way.


© Niel Swart: Early morning stop.


COOPER © Stefan Andrzejewski: Quick service stop at Cooper Siding


07h28 Along the N2 near Kleinberg © Wayne R. Nauschutz:


08h28 with still the N2 in the background © Wayne R. Nauschutz: Between Keurfontein and Albertinia


09h36 © Wayne R. Nauschutz: RESIESBAAN


RESIESBAAN © Stefan Andrzejewski: Running through Resiesbaan


RESIESBAAN © Andre Somers


RESIESBAAN © Andre Somers


09h46 © Wayne R. Nauschutz  Just past RESIESBAAN (Pardon Wayne - I took the liberty of removing the traffic from the N2 !!! - Piet)


10h34 © Wayne R. Nauschutz: Crossing the Goukou River bridge.


© Wayne R. Nauschutz (the intruding car on the right was removed - Piet)


Crossing the famous Gouritz River Bridge © Stefan Andrzejewski: The Classic Blowdown. (Photo taken with Stefan's camera by Johan de Waal while Stefan was driving) Also watch Matt Raubenheimer's video further down to hear the audio!


ALBERTINIA © Stefan Andrzejewski: First water stop Albertinia


ALBERTINIA © Stefan Andrzejewski: Most of the town's folk came to greet us


ALBERTINIA © Andre Somers - filling up with water.


Between ALBERTINIA & HEIDELBERG © Andre Somers


RIVERSDALE © Stefan Andrzejewski: Just before Riversdale. The consist included 2 water tankers, a DZ type wagon (containing a car which would take some of the crew back from Ceres to Mossel Bay) and Coach 243 - once the "UMTATA" dining car.


RIVERSDALE © Stefan Andrzejewski: On the way to Riversdale


© Shane Swartz

© Shane Swartz

© Shane Swartz

© Shane Swartz

© Shane Swartz

KARRINGMELK © Shane Swartz

KARRINGMELK © Stefan Andrzejewski: Section change at Karringmelk


KARRINGMELK © Stefan Andrzejewski: Departing Karringmelk


BUFFELJAGSRIVIER © Stefan Andrzejewski: Approaching Buffelsjagrivier


BUFFELJAGSRIVIER © Stefan Andrzejewski: Approaching Buffelsjagrivier


BUFFELJAGSRIVIER © Stefan Andrzejewski: Approaching Buffelsjagrivier


BUFFELJAGSRIVIER © Stefan Andrzejewski: Crossing a strong flowing Buffeljagsrivier


16h10 - 17 Oct 2015 © Wayne R. Nauschutz. Just past BUFFELJAGSRIVIER bridge.


© Stefan Andrzejewski



16h53 - 17 Oct 2015 © Wayne R. Nauschutz. Obviously the train was reversing here: It was moving back to BUFFELJAGSRIVIER to re-fuel.


BUFFELJAGSRIVIER © Stefan Andrzejewski: Pit stop


SAR 19D 3321 Transfer - Mosselbay to Buffeljagsrivier video made by Wayne Nauschutz.


VIDEO 19D 3321: Voorbaai to Swellendam 17 Oct 2015 by Matt Raubenheimer: "Here is a compilation of footage shot between Voorbaai and Swellendam during 3321's epic journey to Ceres. It was such a pleasure to chase this train. I'm so used to being on the train myself, this was a rare opportunity to get some nice shots and as a bonus it was on a line on which I've never witnessed steam operations before. Hope you enjoy" 


GoPro footage taken by Stefan Andrzejewski:

SUNDAY 18 October 2015

After running in the dark on the last stretch to Robertson on Saturday evening, it was thought best to have a diesel head the train the next morning from Robertson to Wolseley.


ROBERTSON © Andre Somers: Because 3321 fuel level was heading for empty, it was prudent to have a class 35 pilot the train to Worcester, where diesel was taken in, and eventually to Class 35 took the train to Wolseley from where steam took over again ...


09h21 MOWERS © Derick Norton


09h31 NUY © Derick Norton




WORCESTER: The complete train went into the diesel depot where 3321 took in diesel fuel - the only brand of oil available there !!! © Andre Somers


Turn-off to Ceres branch line at Wolseley © Ian Pretorius.


MICHELL'S PASS © Ian Pretorius.


MICHELL'S PASS nearing the tunnel © Ian Pretorius.

© John Kriel's image via Eric Bekker posted on fb:  After an absence of many years 3321 once more rides proudly out of the MICHELL'S PASS tunnel.



DEMETER (Ceres) © Andre Somers


DEMETER (Ceres) © Andre Somers


DEMETER (Ceres) © Stefan Andrzejewski: Currently the locomotive is stored in the open at Ceres Golf Estate which has a high level of security.


DEMETER station at CERES (unknown date) Archives image provided by Derick du Toit to Ian Pretorius. The Wolseley-Ceres line was opened on 20 May 1912, and the line was extended up to Prince Alfred Hamlet by 10 April 1929.


DEMETER station at CERES (unknown date) Archives image provided by Derick du Toit to Ian Pretorius. The locomotive on the left is likely to be a SAR class 6. (2015: There are talks about restoring Demeter station).

PRESS RELEASE:
Witzenberg Train Connection On Track
1 September 2015
press release By James Vos

I am pleased to announce two exciting rail transport projects in Witzenberg:

The first is the activation of a commercial freight transportation train connection from Cape Town to Wolseley, Ceres and Prince Alfred Hamlet, that would carry fruit and other agricultural products.

The second is a steam train from Cape Town station that will take tourists into the Ceres valley over weekends.

Ceres Rail Company bought the coaches of the former Transnet Heritage Fund's Union Limited Steam Railtours* operation together with three steam locomotives. They are in the process of refurbishing the train. The first locomotive and some seven coaches will be completed soon and the service will commence in October. [* correction to the text of the original press release]

The picturesque Ceres valley is not only the origin of the best of South Africa's fruit and wine products, but also one of the top tourism destinations in the country.

These new services are a collaboration between the Ceres Rail Company, Transnet and the Municipality of Witzenberg.

This is evidence of the Witzenberg Municipality, under the DA, delivering tourism opportunities to the local community and will grow more tourism jobs. Not only will it make a substantial contribution to the economy, but it will also give the tourism industry in the area a tremendous boost.

The development and expansion in rail transport, paves the way for jobs and economic growth. Efficient and effective freight rail transportation reduces the number of trucks on the roads, decreasing emissions and fuel costs, improves safety and make our communities more livable.

In the 1990's Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) stopped operating so-called branch lines (such as the ones above) because they were either "non-core" or simply not profitable. However, because branch lines are a vital link with the rural areas, partnerships between public and private enterprise are now exploring the re-commissioning of some of these branch lines.

The DA is pleased that the negotiation and cooperation in Witzenberg is now bearing fruit and we believe that these services can be the precursor for similar projects elsewhere in the province

James Vos

Shadow Minister of Tourism

Sourced here

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The following text will only be understood by readers whom can read the Afrikaans language. It is an article in Afrikaans which appeared in a local newspaper in Mossel Bay and gives some interesting background :

Stoomtrein loop na meer as dekade

MOSSELBAAI NUUS - Dis nie aldag wat 'n mens die geleentheid kry om die ouwêreldse romantiek van die stoomtrein-era te herleef nie.

Vir 'n handjievol Mosselbaaiers het dit egter 'n sonderlinge avontuur opgelewer toe hulle verlede Saterdag met 'n Klas 19 D-stoomlokomotief, wat meer as 'n dekade laas in gebruik was, vanaf Mosselbaai na Ceres gereis het.

Volgens inligting, is die Klas 19 D-stoomlokomotief, van die eerstes wat van steenkool oorgeskakel het na die gebruik van olie. Sy is jarelank in beide Suid-Afrika en ook Namibië gebruik, voordat sy 'n laaste rusplek in die sogenaamde lokomotief begraafplaas in Voorbaai gekry het.

Gelukkig vir haar, het die ondernemingsgees van 'n toegewyde stoomtreinentoesias en sakeman, Derick du Toit, haar lot om te staan en oproes intussen verander. Du Toit, wat sake-belange in beide Kaapstad en Ceres het, is tans besig met die ontwikkeling van 'n gholflandgoed op laasgenoemde dorp.

'n Klein stasie, Demeter, sowat 5km buite Ceres is deel van sy eiendom, wat in die afsienbare toekoms, glo verder ontwikkel en gerestoureer sal word. Dit is hier waar die Klas 19 D, asook twee ander stoomlokomotiewe opgeknap en 'n waardige nuwe tuiste sal vind.

Dit is ook in die beplanning dat die Klas 19 D-lokomotief voortaan op die Ceres-Kaapstad-lyn gebruik sal word om lede van die publiek, asook toeriste vanaf Kaapstad na Ceres te vervoer.

'n Onvergeetlike belewenis

Chris (Bossie) Boshoff van Mosselbaai en geswore stoomtreinentoesias, was deel van die 11, insluitend die werkspan en passasiers, wat verlede Saterdag 17 Oktober die Klas 19 D-lokomotief op haar reis na Ceres vergesel het.

"Ek het stoom ingeasem toe ek baie klein was," skerts hy.

Hoewel die lokomotief voortaan deur die maatskappy Ceres Railway Company (CRC) bedryf sal word, was 'n spesialis drywer en stoker uit Kaapstad, verbonde aan Atlantic Rail, tydens die naweek se reis aan die stuur van sake.

Derick du Toit het ook 'n ou eetwa aangekoop wat in Voorbaai aangehaak is en waarin die paar passasiers kon saamry. Boshoff het 'n paar vriende en hul vroue genooi om saam te ry en hulle het sommer self die eetwa skoongemaak vir die ekspedisie.

Die aanvanklike vertrekdatum was die Vrydag om 06:00, maar die lokomotief moes noodge-dwonge terugdraai na die Voorbaai-stasie vanweë probleme met die brander wat eers herstel moes word. Saterdagoggend was alles weer klopdisselboom en het die Klas 19 D omstreeks 06:00 met haar vrag, weer uit Voorbaai vertrek.

"Dit het maar stadig gegaan, want die lokomotief was 11 jaar laas in gebruik, maar die ontvangs en belangstelling op pad, soos ons van klein stasie na stasie gery het was ongelooflik," vertel Boshoff.

Hy noem dat algemene instandhouding, soos die spuit van onkruiddoders wat nie meer gedoen word nie, die trein se tog oor die spore bemoeilik het. Hulle moes ook op verskillende plekke aandoen vir water en olie en ook hierin was ondersteuning vanuit die gemeenskap noemenswaardig.

"Vanie Oosthuizen van Albertinia Meubelvervoer en Raadslid Charles Prins van Albertinia het vir ons water vir die lokomotief verskaf, asook Tinus van der Merwe van TVM Konstruksie in Swellendam, het weer vir die water op Buffelsjagrivier gesorg. Om nie eens te praat van elke privaat persoon en instansie wat 'n bydrae gelewer het met die ou motorolie wat ons benodig het nie."

Die Klas 19 D met haar vrag, het na 'n lang, stadige reis en 'n kort oorstaan op Robertson, uiteindelik omstreeks 13:00 op Sondag 18 Oktober by Demeter-stasie aangekom.

Die stasie Demeter, is vernoem na die gelyknamige Griekse godin van die oes.

Original article here

This is part 2 "Transfer to Ceres" , for "Restoration" see part 1