SARI - Volume 12 (August & September 2016)

South African Railways Illustrated Volume 12

August / September 2016

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South African Railways Illustrated Editor / Design & Layout

Charles Baker Email Telephone Cell

Photographers / Contributors

Fanie Kleynhans Mark Berry Aidan McCarthy David Heyneke James Attwell Jacque Wepener Noel Welch

Proof Reader / Copy Typing

Dave Gallop

Advertising / Sponsorship

Charles Baker

sarillustrated@gmail.com

(031) 337-7760 082 923 4868 Greg Hart Les Pivnic Wayne Nauschutz Noel Forster Charles Baker Transnet Heritage Library

Front Cover Photo. Reefsteamers’ Class 15F No. 3046 & David Shepherd's Class 15F No. 3052, now operated by Sandstone Heritage Trust, on a double headed test trip to Magaliesburg (the return trip) for No. 3052's return to service (4th June 2016). Photo – Aidan McCarthy.

Inside Front Cover Photo. A scene not likely to be repeated, Friends Of The Rail’s Class 24 No. 3664 on an early morning photo shoot at Capital Park (9th June 2012). Photo – Aidan McCarthy.

Inside Back Cover Photo. Class 34 (400) 34-449 leads a soda ash train through the cuttings at Magaliesberg (21st March 2012). Photo – Aidan McCarthy.

Back Cover Photo. Reefsteamers’ Class 15F No. 3046 & David Shepherd's Class 15F No. 3052, now operated by Sandstone Heritage Trust, on a double headed test trip to Magaliesburg (the return trip) for No. 3052's return to service (4th June 2016). Photo – Aidan McCarthy.

Special acknowledgement and appreciation to Col. André Kritzinger and the “List of South African Locomotives” on Wikipedia (the free online Encyclopaedia), the preferred SA locomotive reference and research source of SARI.

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Contents – Volume 12 Page 5.

Editor’s Comment

Page 6.

Classic Steam Scene (Les Pivnic)

Page 9.

Number Plate Collection (34-433 & 35-689)

Page 10.

Van Reenen Station Layout (Greg Hart)

Page 13.

Photo Gallery - Wayne Nauschutz

Page 22.

Photo Gallery - Fanie Kleynhans

Page 27.

Photo Gallery - Greg Hart

Page 33.

Photo Gallery - Jacque Wepener

Page 38.

Photo Gallery - Aidan McCarthy

Page 42.

Photo Gallery - Noel Forster

Page 47.

Photo Gallery - James Attwell

Page 52.

Photo Gallery - Charles Baker

Page 58.

Photo Gallery - Mark Berry

Page 60.

Photo Gallery - David Heyneke

Page 64.

Photo Gallery - Noel Welch

Page 67.

2016 Aloe Festival (Aidan McCarthy)

© COPYRIGHT STATEMENT All Rights Reserved. All the photos / images, sponsored adverts and text contained in South African Railways Illustrated are copyright, and remain the property of, and / or, under the control of their original authors / photographers and South African Railways Illustrated. None of the content may be copied, saved (stored on a PC or / Retrieval System), shared or posted / distributed on other web pages or websites, either in part or in full, without the written permission of the editor of South African Railways Illustrated or the original author / photographer.

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Editor’s Comment Here we are with Volume 12 (August / September 2016) of SARI, albeit being finished a month later than scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. Going forward for the short term, SARI is now going to be released on a bi-monthly basis.

Aidan McCarthy has done the honours with the front and back covers (both inner and outer) for this issue. Aidan’s love for steam motive power is clear to see in his photography and his black & white images are both compelling and believable!

While we on the subject of black & white photography, Les Pivnic’s contribution to this issue of SARI is a classic vintage photograph from his own considerable and consummate South African Railways photo collection, that’s aptly titled “Classic Steam Scene”. Look out for this 1967 beauty on Pages 6 & 7 involving a Class 15E and a Class 12R. The full caption follows on Page 8, and in true Les Pivnic style, it’s very well detailed and supports the photograph perfectly!

Greg Hart has chosen Van Reenen Station as the Station Layout Diagram for this issue. There’s really not much more that I can say about the detail and quality of these drawings that I have not already said. Hopefully we eventually see a coffee table style book from Greg of these awesome drawings in the future. The Transnet Heritage Library must be thanked for the historical supporting photographs they enthusiastically supplied for Greg’s drawing of Van Reenen Station.

I made another change to the regular photo galleries and have dispensed with the motive power galleries that have appeared in the last few issues of SARI. From this issue (and going forward), each of our contributing photographers will have their own respective photo gallery in SARI. Once again there is a really super collection and a great variety of photographs in this issue from Greg Hart, Fanie Kleynhans, Aidan McCarthy, James Attwell, Noel Forster, Mark Berry, David Heyneke, Jacque Wepener, Noel Welch, Wayne Nauschutz and myself.

As always, my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone involved.

Enjoy the read everyone!

Charles Baker 5

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Classic Steam Scene - Pages 6 & 7: I (Les Pivnic) always had fond memories of the Class 15E engines, especially when they were stationed at Beaufort West and used on the section to De Aar. I can recall many trips behind a 15E on trains 202 Up and 203 Down – the forerunners of the Trans Karoo on that section when I actually became nervous at the speed that the train was doing on 3ft 6in gauge! I clearly remember feeling relieved when the driver slowed down somewhat for a tablet as we rushed through a wayside station, but my relief didn't last long - the drivers soon had their regulators up in the cab roof again with the result that the clothes hanging from hooks in the compartment were swaying to and fro – this section was always covered at night. The exhaust beat was just a continuous roar up front!

A.G. Watson designed the 16E Pacific for speed on fast passenger trains, but with his 15E 4-8-2s he also didn't ignore the engine's ability to give spirited performances! In 1953/54, the Class 25s arrived and were placed in service on the Touws River - Beaufort West - De Aar section initially.

This released the 15Es for transfer and they all went to Bethlehem in the OFS. I made many trips to Bethlehem Loco to see and photograph my 15E greyhounds! Unfortunately, working to Kroonstad via Arlington and Bloemfontein via Ficksburg and also south to Harrismith, they didn't really have the opportunity to show how fast they could run! On one of my visits to Bethlehem Loco I wondered into the shed and discovered a very atmospheric scene - a 15E and a 12R were simmering quietly in the gloomy atmosphere and shafts of light were streaming through the ventilation openings in the roof. I stopped in my tracks (no pun intended!) and focused my Rolleiflex on this classic steam scene! Photo – Les Pivnic (19th November 1967).

Soul of A Railway ©

By Les Pivnic and Charlie Lewis Les and Charlie are working together on this project to convey to future generations the essence of a once magnificent transport network in South Africa - the South African Railways or SAR. Introduction https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/introduction The SAR was divided into nine systems as follows: 1.

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Cape Western, based in Cape Town Cape Northern, based in Kimberley Cape Midland, based in Port Elizabeth Cape Eastern, based in East London Orange Free State, based in Bloemfontein Natal, based in Durban Western Transvaal, based in Johannesburg Eastern Transvaal, based in Pretoria South West Africa, based in Windhoek

Charlie is doing systems 1 to 4 while Les is doing systems 5 to 8.

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Supporting photos of Van Reenen Station and surrounding area courtesy of the Transnet Heritage Library.

Class 15B & passenger tA raClass in at V15B an Rat eeVan nenReenen Station Station with a passenger train Class 1Es and a passenger train on Van Reenens Pass

Class 1E locomotives & passenger train on Van Reenens Pass Staff at Van Reenen Station

12 Electrification at Van Reenen Station

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Wayne Nauschutz Photo Gallery

Above: The daily freight departing Worcester for Voorbaai with 35-417 (25th November 2015).

Below: The daily freight making a late return to Worcester with 35-029 (2nd December 2015).

Pages 14 / 15: Lighting up Saiccor No. 3 for the last time (1st August 2015). Pages 16 / 17: Class 19B No. 1412 & Class 19D No. 3321 gallop past Class 15CA No. 2828 at Vink River during the transfer to Ceres (14th March 2016). Pages 18 / 19: The Blue Train with 20 031 & 20 032 approaching Botha on a south bound trip (31st March 2016): Pages 20 / 21: The Trans Karoo emerging from the Hex River Tunnel with Class 6E1 E1597 (17th April 2016).

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Fanie Kleynhans Photo Gallery Above: Class 35 locomotives 35-026 and 35-065 with their holiday train, seen here between Bonnievale and Drew, heading in the direction of Voorbaai (27th December 2005). Below: E1171 leads a Johannesburg bound Trans Karoo through Stikland Station, having departed Cape Town a little earlier (10th November 2005).

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Above: Three Class 33s with 33-513 at the front with the Worcester to Voorbaai freight into as it heads into Albertinia (19th May 2005). Below: The same three Class 33s as above with the Voorbaai to Worcester freight seen here dropping down the gradient into Ashton (20th May 2005).

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Above: 33-513 leading another Class 33 and a Class 35 with the Worcester to Voorbaai freight passing through Albertinia (27th August 2005). Below: Two Class 33s with two Class 35s are seen here busy climbing the grade from Vleidam towards Karringmelk (5th September 2005).

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Above: The Worcester to Voorbaai freight with two Class 33s passes through a typical farm setting outside Karringmelk siding (5th September 2005). Below: 33-512 leads the Worcester to Voorbaai freight with a few Union Limited coaches also part of the consist (5th December 2005).

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Above: E1173 & E1172 lead the Trans Karoo from Johannesburg to Cape Town here away from Worcester after a scheduled stop (6th December 2005). Below: Class 35 locomotives 35-026 & 35-065 lead a holiday train here into Bonnievale late in the afternoon (27th December 2005).

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Greg Hart Photo Gallery Above: A Type 5M2A motor coach at one of the Metrorail yards in Durban following a collision (28th June 2016). Below: A crossing at Bellair on the old Natal Main Line (4th June 2016). Page 28: Class 18E Series 2 locomotives, 18-773 & 18-788, heading back to Johannesburg with the Blue Train at Umlaas Road after a weekend in Durban (17th November 2013). Page 29: 18-421 and the last working of the PRASA Daylight Sitter service at Ladysmith Station (30th March 2014).

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Above: 18-202 is Cato Ridge / Durban bound with a “Python� (65 X CAR Wagons loaded with coal) and is on the climb out of Lions River towards Tweedie. Below: The same train as above pictured in the section between Mooi River and Rosetta in the KZN Midlands (20th October 2013).

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Above: 18-202 on the top balloon at Boughton is Cato Ridge / Durban bound with a “Python� of 65 X CAR Wagons loaded with coal (20th October 2010). A Type 5M2A Metrorail set being used for driver training at Merebank Station (12th March 2014).

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Above: A Type 5M2A, Train No. 0044, at Pinetown Station (14th May 2014). Below: Class 18E, 18-069, is passing through Pentrich Station in Pietermaritzburg with a load of empty CAR Wagons bound for the coal fields of Northern KwaZulu Natal for a refill (29th July 2013).

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Jacque Wepener Photo Gallery Above: Sheltam's Class 36, 1004, taking empty hoppers from the exchange yard at Steyn 4 shaft (23rd July 2016). Below: GE type U26C Class 34 (400), built in 1973, 34-409, working the Mondi timber shunt at Friedesheim (20th May 2016).

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Above: RRL Grindrod South Africa’s RM30-12 at Welkom Station (12th May 2016). Below: RRL Grindrod South Africa’s SG12-01, originally an ex South African Railways reclassified Class 31 locomotive at Welkom Station. (12th May 2016).

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Above: GE type U26C Class 34 (400), built in 1974, 34-499, working the Mondi timber shunt at Friedesheim (20th May 2016). Below: Returning light from Bloemfontein, four Class 18E locomotives, headed by 18-643, at Bosrand (18th June 2016).

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Above: Class 34 (400), 34-417, at Welkom Station before departure with new grain wagons, that have been built by Galison in Welkom, and are heading to Mozambique - CDN (8th July 2016).

Below: Grindrod RM30-12 arriving at Friedesheim with a load of empty hoppers (8th July 2016).

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Above: 18-792 is returning from Bloemfontein with a load of containers, seen here at Kalkvlakte and heading to Kroonstad (18th July 2016). Below: Class 25NC No. 3528 pictured at the Ammo depot at Jan Kempdorp (June 2010).

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Aidan McCarthy Photo Gallery Above: Reefsteamers’ Class 15F No. 3046 & David Shepherd's Class 15F No. 3052 now operated

by Sandstone Heritage Trust on a double headed test trip to Magaliesburg for No. 3052’s return to service, climbing Hamburg bank. Below: The same train leaving Battery Siding (4th June 2016).

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Above: The Class 15F No. 3052 “return to service� train on the way back from Magaliesburg.

Below: The same train climbing the Hamburg bank (4th June 2016). Page 40 & Page 41: Class 18E locomotives on the Majuba Pass on the very busy Natal Main Line (11th July 2016).

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Noel Forster Photo Gallery Above: Class GMAM No. 4140 (built by North British Locomotive under sub contract from Beyer Peacock) near Oudtshoorn on a Cape Town to Port Elizabeth passenger train (18th April 1977).

Below: Class GMAM No. 4124 (built by Beyer Peacock and Company) at Buffelsjagrivier working a Riversdale to Worcester goods train (21st April 1977).

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Above: Class GMAM No. 4140 (built by North British Locomotive under sub contract from Beyer Peacock) at Groot Brakrivier on a Cape Town to Port Elizabeth passenger train (18th April 1977).

Below: Class 24 No. 3669 on the Kaaimans River Bridge (19th April 1977).

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Above: Two Class 15AR locomotives, No. 1849 and No. 1803 at Napdaan (7th April 1977). Below: Class 25NC No. 3493 (built by North British Locomotive in 1953) leaving De Aar on a Cape Town to Johannesburg passenger train (10th April 1977).

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Above: Class 15A No. 1970 “MILLY� heads off to De Aar Locomotive Depot (10th April 1977).

Below: On the 1st May 1977, Class GMAM No. 4168, worked a train from Pietermaritzburg to New Hanover and is pictured here at Albert Falls.

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Above: Class 25NC locomotives No. 3515 “JUDY” & No. 3470 “GISELLE” heading to Beaconsfield at Modderrivier (11th May 1977). Below: REGM No. 4 at Randfontein (19th March 1977). Ex NGR Class B No. 282 / SAR Class 1 No. 1252 as per André Kritzinger / List of SA Locomotives – Ed.

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James Attwell Photo Gallery Above: Four Class 20Es head an empty consist through Potchefstroom, heading for Klerksdorp (19th May 2016). Below: A 5M2A set has just departed Princess Station and is heading up Westgate bank towards Witpoortjie, as a security guard chats to a colleague (4th June 2016).

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Above: Reefsteamers’ Class 15F No. 3046 and David Shepherd’s Class 15F No. 3052 tackle the gradient leading past Westgate. Below: At Battery siding, 3046 & 3052 stopped to perform a runpast for passengers and linesiders. As can be seen, it was a popular decision (4th June 2016).

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Above: No. 3046 & No. 3052 completing their impressive runpast for their adoring fans (4th June 2016). Below: A trio of blue Spoornet liveried Class 34 locomotives, headed by 34-404, work a container train up the difficult gradient leading out of Magaliesburg (4th June 2016).

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Above: With the afternoon sun setting rapidly, No. 3046 & No. 3052, negotiate the difficult grade out of Magaliesburg through the famous cutting (4th June 2016). Below: No. 3046 & No. 3052 tackle the last difficult gradient before Krugersdorp, seen here at Three Sisters (4th June 2016).

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Above: A single Class 7E, E7083, backs into De Aar station to pick up a Rovos Rail set (12th August 2009). Below: A single Class 7E, E7074, heads south through Witput Station, along the Kimberly to De Aar mainline, with a mixed train (11th August 2009).

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Charles Baker Photo Gallery Above: Class 7E3 Series 2, E7299, waits at Bayhead to hitch a ride back to Richards Bay after an overhaul and a repaint at Transnet Engineering (2nd October 2014). Below: Class 18E Series 2 locomotives, 18-773 & 18-788, with the Blue Train at Umlaas Road (15th November 2013). Page 54 / 55: A Durban bound Trans Natal at Pentrich with 18-430 & 18-429 (5th October 2013). Page 56 / 57: Class 8E, E8092, at the Metrorail Yard just north of Durban Station (5th October 2013).

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Above: Late afternoon in the KZN Midlands as Class 18E locomotives climb the hill up around the back of Michaelhouse in Balgowan with a mixed load of tankers (3rd September 2014). Below: 36-251 starting out for shunt work at the Durban PRASA yard (13th April 2014).

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Mark Berry Photo Gallery Above: Two of the last Class 18E Series 2 locomotives to be built, 18-826 & 18-832, are working a sleeper train in beautiful early morning light north east of Leeudoringstad (14th March 2015).

Below: New Class 43 GE locomotives headed by 43 171 pulling empty coal wagons from Pyramid South through to Lephalale Mines in Limpopo (12th July 2016).

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Above: Class 6E1, E1448, heads a PRASA / Shosholoza Meyl main line passenger train through Heuningspruit Station in the Free State Province (15th February 2014). Below: Class 20Es, 20 031 & 20 032 with the Blue Train at Regina in the North West Province (14th March 2015).

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David Heyneke Photo Gallery Above: Class 10E locomotives, 10 035 / 10 010 / 10 026 / 10 002, at Meyerton Air Brake Road, Leeuhof Section with a load for Samancor in Meyerton (22nd July 2016). Below: Class 44 GE locomotives 44 001 / 44 004 at Withok, Sentrarand Section (25th April 2016). Page 61: Class 44 GE locomotives 44 001 / 44 004 and Train No. 7216 "Taxi" at Leeuwpan Mine in Delmas as loading starts with "PEAS" coal for ArcelorMittal in Vanderbijlpark (16th May 2016). Page 62: Class 38, 38-031, in red TFR livery at Bijlkor (22nd November 2015). Page 63: Class 38, 38-041, at Welgedag (28th February 2016).

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Noel Welch Photo Gallery Above: Class 34 locomotives (nice variety of liveries), headed by 34-079, with a container train at Cradock Station (18th June 2016). Below: Class 7E2 Series 1 locomotives, E7171 / E7170 / E7177, with an empty manganese train at Paterson Station (19th June 2016).

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Above: Class 20Es, 20 034 / 20 042 / 20 012 / 20 009, with an empty manganese train at Green Street Shunting Yard in Port Elizabeth (19th July 2016). Below: Class 7Es, E7075 / E7077 / E7042 / E7059 at Green Street Shunting Yard in Port Elizabeth (11th April 2016).

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Above & Below: Class 7E locomotives, E7043 / E7025 / E7090, undergoing refitting and refurbishing at Swartkops Diesel Depot. It is believed that on completion they are destined to join the PRASA fleet in the Eastern Cape (9th June 2016).

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2016 Aloe Festival Aidan McCarthy supplied this wonderful selection of photos that appear on Page 67 through to Page 71 from his recent visit to KwaZulu Natal of the 2016 Aloe Festival in Creighton.

The photos of the Eshayamoya Express trains, owned by the Ingwe Municipality and operated by Patons Country Narrow Gauge Railway, were taken at various locations between Creighton and Riverside.

The locomotives used were GMAM No. 4074 and Class 19D No. 2669.

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