ulolwe may 2012
DESCRIPTION
An e-magzine on southern african railways and railway history.TRANSCRIPT
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THE ULOLIWE
SOUTH AFRICA – SUID-AFRIKA
A monthly railway historical and research publication
‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie
Vol 3 No 5
Un-official / Nie Amptelik - Gratis Everything to do with the
former SA Railways: i.e.
lighthouses, harbours, staff,
photos, books, RMT,
stations, tugs, SAR Police,
SAA, catering, pipelines,
stamps, models, rolling
stock, armoured trains,
diagrams, etc
Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA
May 2012
15F at Kroonstad by Theuns Mouton
Sent in by Rudi Venter
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Contents
Welcome ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Front Cover – Voorblad:............................................................................................................................ 6
Editorial – Redaksioneel............................................................................................................................ 6
Cartoon ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Democracy: Please share with .......................................................................................................... 7
Main Story ................................................................................................................................................... 8
South African Troop Trains of the Past – Eric Rosenthal ................................................................. 8
Wepener’s Perambulations ..................................................................................................................... 16
No 57 Senwes Wesselsbron – Hunslet Taylor .................................................................................. 16
Wesselsbron .......................................................................................................................................... 19
More of Wesselsbron ........................................................................................................................... 23
Bultfontein pick-up between Allanridge and Rooiblom ................................................................ 26
Losdorings to Wesselsbron ................................................................................................................. 27
Railway History of South Africa ............................................................................................................ 28
CGR: 1st Class Hunslet ....................................................................................................................... 28
NGR: 6- Wheeled Coupled Tank Engine .......................................................................................... 28
A Locomotive called “Natal”: 23 June 1860 - [4’ 81/2”] ........................................................................ 29
Cape Town Station - What has happened to Blackie? ........................................................................ 31
OVS Staatspoorwegen (OVSS) ............................................................................................................... 32
President MT Steyn’s Carriage ....................................................................................................... 32
NZASM.................................................................................................................................................. 32
Anglo Boer War – Imperial Military Railway .................................................................................. 32
- Engine Driver – Harry Wright: IMR Standerton ....................................................................... 33
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- Guard: Thomas Ingoldsby: IMR [Late NGR] Standerton ........................................................ 34
Stations: Indwe – “Van” van der Merwe .......................................................................................... 35
SAR Loco Ladysmith – Pierre de Wet ............................................................................................... 35
SAR Traction and Rolling Stock ............................................................................................................. 37
1933 Special Tourist Train from Durban to Victoria Falls .......................................................... 37
- Response from Ashley Peter ........................................................................................................ 37
Ex SAR No 4935: Friends of the Rail ................................................................................................. 38
Ex SAR 15070: Friends of the Rail ...................................................................................................... 40
SA Railways .......................................................................................................................................... 41
Transnet ................................................................................................................................................. 42
Kroonstad Steam Depot & Environs - Rudi Venter via Theuns Mouton ................................. 42
– Ventilator: Jacobus Marais & Schalk Claasen ........................................................................... 47
- Jacobus Marais: Premier Classe ................................................................................................... 49
SA Metro Rail ........................................................................................................................................ 50
Robin Carlisle's response disappointing - Metrorail ....................................................................... 50
Metrorail: Carlisle responds to Swartz ............................................................................................. 52
– New Train Building Program ...................................................................................................... 53
- Treinbouplan bekend- Johan Brits .............................................................................................. 54
More Durban Railway stations - Rudi Venter ................................................................................. 56
The Former Loco at Bayhead .......................................................................................................... 56
“Lest we Forget” SAR & H “Roll of Honour” .................................................................................. 57
George Railway Museum – Robert Adams .................................................................................. 57
- Rhodesian Railwaymen: Zimbabwe ........................................................................................... 59
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Old Free State mainline alignments – J Wepener & Bruno Martin ................................................... 59
The Nelson Mandela Bridge, Braamfontein – Johannes Botha ...................................................... 60
Railway People – Spoorwegmense ........................................................................................................ 61
Water Police Durban ........................................................................................................................ 61
Previous issues ......................................................................................................................................... 62
Book Shelf .................................................................................................................................................. 62
RMT ............................................................................................................................................................ 62
South African Airways: Johannes Botha ............................................................................................... 62
SAA’s Museum: Maluti – Johan Jacobs: Benoni .................................................................................. 63
Harbours.................................................................................................................................................... 63
New Durban Harbour at old “Louis Botha Airport” ...................................................................... 63
Nuwe hawe vir Durban gaan R100 miljard kos .............................................................................. 63
Catering Division ..................................................................................................................................... 64
Rhodesian and Zimbabwean Railway – J Batwell ............................................................................... 64
Rovos Rail.................................................................................................................................................. 68
A Rovos-collage from Johannes Botha .............................................................................................. 68
Reef Steamers ............................................................................................................................................ 69
South African Models .............................................................................................................................. 69
Scalecraft: Adrian Hill ......................................................................................................................... 69
Paul Wolfvaart member of the Outeniqua Model Railway Club .................................................. 76
From the Press .......................................................................................................................................... 80
State Owned Companies - Politics Web............................................................................................ 80
How SOCs are making a difference - Malusi Gigaba ................................................................. 80
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Press Reports on Johannesburg Station Paintings: JH Pierneef .................................................... 86
1. Pierneef herbesoek (Graaff-Reinet) ............................................................................................ 86
2. Ontsteltenis oor Pierneef-panele ................................................................................................ 90
SA RAILWAY RELATED INTERNET GROUPS................................................................................. 91
Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe.................................................................. 91
Yahoo: SAR-Miniatures – Adrian Hill .............................................................................................. 92
Social media facilitates ‘RHODESIA RAILWAY’ Group - John Batwell .................................... 92
Website for Reefsteamers: Lee Gates ............................................................................................. 92
Outside South Africa ............................................................................................................................... 95
Pandora’s Box ........................................................................................................................................... 95
Mail Bag ..................................................................................................................................................... 97
- Stuart Grossert ................................................................................................................................... 97
- Pierre de Wet ...................................................................................................................................... 99
- Andre Kritzinger .............................................................................................................................. 100
Stop Press ................................................................................................................................................ 100
Next Issue ................................................................................................................................................ 101
Welcome
It is once again our honour and privilege to bid you welcome to this issue focussing mainly on
our Southern African railway history but also a bit of the present operations.
They say when an old man dies a library has literally burnt down! Now is the time to save our
heritage and we must collect anecdotes, stories and photographs in order to conserve our past.
We find your visits, letters and your contributions stimulating and interesting. All of us have so
much to share with one another!
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Front Cover – Voorblad:
An investment in Tourism and Heritage - most probably
waiting to be cut up! A 15F at Kroonstad captured by Theuns
Mouton and sent in by Rudi Venter.
Editorial – Redaksioneel
In our main story we are taking a look at troop trains. You will be astonished to see what the
old SAR could do during World War One. What would happen in Word War Three? What role
does the railways see for themselves in a future war with little petrol and diesel? Fortunately we
have Sasol and Eskom. Let’s hope Eskom has a plan to get coal by rail.
For the past two weeks the “station paintings” by Hendrik Pierneef formed part of articles in
the Sunday Rapport. These paintings were originally exhibited on wall panels in the
Johannesburg railway station. At first they were exhibited in Graaff-Reinet. They are now in
Stellenbosch. The Pierneef-paintings belong to Transnet and is exhibited by the Rembrandt-
group. At least they are safe for the time being.
Rudi Venter, via Theuns Mouton, has sent some very interesting photographs of Kroonstad
Loco and the (rail)road from Ladysmith to Harrismith. (Due to space restriction the Van
Reenen’s Pass photos will hopefully feature next month.)
The State could invest more heavily in railway heritage to foster tourism. Private heritage
groups perform sterling work and should be subsidised – one would like to see for each Rand
they collect the State contributes R3-00. Transnet should also assist where possible.
As usual we have some interesting photographs by Jacque & John Wepener and our other
contributors. Welcome to John Batwell – thanks for the RR & ZRR photos.
I publish two different magazines, so it takes me a time to answer all letters. I usually keep the
template of the previous magazine to build each new magazine.
Relax, sit back and enjoy a virtual visit to various places, enjoy the read and the photographs.
Please tell your “railway” friends about The Uloliwe.
Last month we had 333 readers – an all time record! Thank you!
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Cartoon
Democracy: Please share with us this wartime (1943) cartoon by Corp JH Jackson about
a General and a Private soldier hailing a SAR Porter:
The facial expressions of the trio are excellently portrayed by Corp Jackson!
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Main Story
South African Troop Trains of the Past – Eric Rosenthal
South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, December 1940: 1551
Crowded with cheery men in uniform, the troop-trains are once again rolling across the African
veld. In the Union, in South West Africa, in the Rhodesias, and in countries far to the north
these indications of a nation at war may be encountered, and everywhere they are cheered by
the populace as visible evidence that our defences are functioning.
Three-quarters of a century have gone by since the first troop-train took aboard its freight of
soldiers in South Africa. We know that in the eighteen-sixties, as soon as the pioneer sections of
line from Capetown to Wellington and from Capetown to Wynberg were put into .use, troops
belonging to the garrison were occasionally transported by rail, and with the appearance about
the same time of the Volunteer movement at the Cape, the old-fashioned coaches were
frequently crammed with enthusiastic uniformed citizens on their way to drill and musketry
practice on the outskirts of the city.
As the railway lengthened out so did the use of the troop-train increase. The occurrence of
trouble on the newly-discovered diamond fields in the middle 'seventies gave the early Cape
Government Railways a chance of helping the authorities. Nothing came of the" Black Flag
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Rebellion," however, but the railway proved its usefulness in conveying soldiers as far as
Worcester.
Troops were also shifted by train about this time from Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage and from
Port Elizabeth to a point about half-way to Grahamstown.
The modest little stretch of rail in Natal, one mile in extent running between Durban and the
Point, had conveyed some soldiers as early as 1860, when Prince Alfred visited the Colony, but
there was bigger business afoot in 1879 when the Zulu War broke out. Cetewayo, the still
independent monarch of the warrior tribe, had defied the authority of the Queen, and it was
considered necessary to teach him a lesson.
Along the still unfinished line to Pietermaritzburg, quantities of stores, horses and soldiers were
conveyed by the Natal Government Railways. Sterling efforts were made to extend the line as
quickly as possible, with the result that it reached the capital of the Colony shortly after the
conclusion of peace. Thousands of men travelled by train along this route, and during the tragic
days that followed the British defeat at Isandlwana, the existence of the railway contributed
substantially towards bringing up in time the reinforcements from overseas which were so
urgently needed.
Important, too, was the work of the Natal Railways during the first Boer War. Dozens of trains
loaded with men and equipment, went forward from Durban, and the military authorities were
loud in their praise of Sir David Hunter, the General Manager.
As the troop-ships England, Spain, Manora, Queen Margaret, Russia, City of Venice, City of
Paris, France, and others reached Port Natal, the men were marched to the trains and
transported inland before they continued their march on foot.
Not all the old-timers enjoyed the establishment of the railway. Thus Dr. JW Matthews, who
wrote about this time: "I took train to the capital, Pietermaritzburg.
It again was all new to me. No pleasant rest at Host Padley's, no exciting drive round the
Inchanga, no gallop over Camperdown Flats! Simply a six hours' monotonous railway trip."
The next occasion on which the railways proved useful to the military in South Africa was when
the expedition under Sir Charles Warren set out from Capetown for Bechuanaland. Fortunately,
no actual fighting took place, but the purpose of forestalling others was fully achieved. The
writer's father was present early in December, 1884, when Sir Charles Warren, accompanied by
Col. Walker of the Scots Guards, and Captain Sir Bartle Frere (junior), brought ashore 600 men
of Methuen's Horse who had been picked in London from a huge number of would-be recruits.
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With them came a battery of the Royal Artillery, the 7th Company of Royal Engineers, and a
battalion of the Royal Scots, fresh from Jamaica. A large number of local volunteers joined the
contingent at Adderley Street station, where they boarded trains of the "Karoo Railway." The
rail journey terminated at Beaufort West, whence the trek was continued on foot, by wagon or
horseback to Kimberley, where other forces waited. Corridor coaches were as yet almost
unknown in South Africa, and the journey to Beaufort West was anything but comfortable with
men tightly packed.
William Harvey Brown, an American naturalist turned soldier, left a vivid account of the next
important occasion when an army travelled on the iron way in this country. Having arrived at
the Cape in 1890, he joined the Pioneer Column organized under Col. Frank Johnson, for the
purpose of planting the flag in "Zambesia."
“On the evening of 15th April," he wrote, "amid cheers, singing, and God-speeds from the
crowd that had gathered to bid their friends farewell, the train, moved from the Capetown
railway station, carrying with it a portion of the Pioneer Corps. By the following morning our
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train had crossed the Hex River Mountains and during the entire day we travelled through a
desolate, treeless country, covered with scrubby thornbushes and plants. Along the railway
were numerous water-holes, and as we neared Kimberley we saw many Kaffir-women washing
clothes in them. It was late in the afternoon when we arrived. The town was gaily decorated in
honour of a visit from the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Henry Loch. A train of wagons had
been provided to convey the Pioneers to Rhodes's farm three miles outside."
Despite the smallness of the force, its importance in South African history gives the incident
significance. And no local troops had previously travelled such a distance.
Meanwhile the Transvaal and the Orange Free State were gradually obtaining modern
transport, so that the Netherlands South African Railway Company was able to lend a hand in
subduing the Chief Malaboch.
Although the actual expedition to the Northern Transvaal was accomplished on horseback and
by wagon, the authorities at Pretoria began to appreciate how much even the modest railways
they possessed could contribute to mobility. Still more was this in evidence at the time of the
Jameson Raid, when the line helped some of the raiders to assemble and also helped to bring
about their downfall.
It was, however, during the South African War of 1899-1902 that both sides first took full
advantage of the troop-train.
Herewith I give a translation from the German of a description of the 1899 mobilization left by
Col. Adolf Schiel of the Staats Artillerie:
"On reaching Johannesburg station," wrote Col. Schiel, "the station master told me that there
were enough trucks available for us, so that we could take two of them to hold one of our
wagons. Since the platforms at the station were not strong enough to allow the loaded wagons
to drive on to them, they had to be unloaded and lifted up empty. We gratefully accepted the
double quantity of trucks, since our men would have more room. The officers were given a first-
class carriage besides which there were four passenger coaches.
"The loading of the horses and mules was soon completed, for the platform at the Johannesburg
goods station is very long, so that work could proceed on all the trucks simultaneously. In less
than one hour everything was loaded. As we awaited the signal for departure, the station
master told us that he had just been notified by telegram that the line at Elandsfontein (now
Germiston) was blocked with troop trains from Pretoria, so that we could only leave at four
o'clock in the afternoon. That suited us down to the ground. Crowds of friends and
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acquaintances, including many ladies, had come to the station to see us off. The Owner of the
Thoma Brewery and Mr. Bauman of the Potchefstroom Brewery had sent beer for the men,
while Messrs. Angehrn & Piel had supplied hot sausages, which helped to raise enthusiasm
even more. As we had enough buckets on the trucks, the horses could be given a drink as well.
The weather was lovely and everything pointed to a pleasant journey.
"Not far from us there stood a whole trainful of refugees from Johannesburg. Though it was
only due to leave at four in the afternoon, the trucks, and coal-trucks at that, were packed to the
limit at eleven in the morning with men, women and children, Indians, natives, everything
mixed up. Poor people! How gladly we would have given our passenger coaches to the women,
but it was not in our power.
“At last the whistle went telling that we were leaving. No stop was made at Park Station, but in
passing we could catch a glimpse of many a friendly face and could wave to them. Our
destination was Standerton. . . . Nothing happened on the short stretch as far as Elandsfontein,
but there we got some unpleasant news. The Traffic Manager told me that our train was much
too long. Owing to the demands of the points the train could only have a certain number of
bogies, and, moreover, his own coach had still to be added. We were given the choice, either of
dividing the train and leaving half behind, or of changing over and letting the men find such
room as they could discover.
"I called the officers together and said: ‘Go to the men and ask them which they prefer.'
"The answer was unanimous: 'Change over and stick together.'
"I knew that if the Traffic Manager, Mr. van Stipriaan, came with us we would have no trouble
about getting through. Now we had to do our own shunting-without an an engine, but after an
hour-and-a-half it was all done. Some of the troop-trains from Pretoria and Middelburg had
been waiting thirty hours, and their inmates swore vigorously as we came gaily sailing by.
"The journey was hardly pleasant for our men. The smallest spaces on the trucks were filled
with humanity. They clung to rather than sat in them. I was afraid that in the night many of the
fellows would simply roll off. Fortunately, a terrific thunderstorm came which woke everybody
up. . . ."
During the Boer War the giving of refreshments to troops at railway stations first came largely
into practice in South Africa. At Capetown1 and De Aar, at Durban and Port Elizabeth, kindly
1 I wonder why Capetown is not spelt Cape Town - HBH
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women were engaged in distributing hot tea and coffee. On the Boer side there were similar
workers at Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and elsewhere. This system was developed
even further during the 1914-1918 War, and will no doubt set fresh records during the present
trouble.
No less a celebrity than the present Prime Minister of Britain, Mr. Winston Churchill, has left a
description of troop-trains of the day:
"On the road to De Aar we passed the second half of the Brigade of Artillery, which sailed so
long ago from the Mersey in the notorious transports Zibengla and Zayathla. The gunners were
hurrying to the front in three long trains, each taking half a battery, complete with guns, horses
and men. All were light-hearted and confident, as soldiers going off to the wars always are, and
in this case their satisfaction at being on land after five weeks of uncomfortable voyage in
antiquated ships was easily to be understood."
The Netherlands South African Railway Company operated part of the Natal system during the
advance of the Republicans in 1899/1900. Later on the British side the Imperial Military
Railways (in the Free State and Transvaal) under the famous engineer, Sir Percy Girouard,
developed into a huge department. Space is lacking to tell about its innumerable activities,
which included the construction of armoured trains for patrol duty and the laying of fresh lines.
I cannot, however, forbear from giving a glimpse of the lighter side of the work, as shown in a
skit on the regulations issued to Railway Staff Officers (RSO):
"The RSO is appointed to see that the number of staff officers giving different and conflicting
orders never exceeds fifteen at anyone minute.
"His attention is drawn to the absolute necessity of preserving harmonious relations with the
refreshment contractor. For this purpose he should keep a banjo, and mess in the restaurant.
"The RSO must remember that the station master or other official in charge of a station, unless a
staff officer, considers all ranks of the army as ignoramuses, and himself the social equal of the
Commander-in-Chief and High Commissioner.
"The RSO himself must refrain from personal controversy with the subordinate staff, he being
quite unable to compete with them in abuse.
"There is always a belief in the minds of senior officers that they are in a position to work the
railway. This procedure must at once be put down by the RSO by his making sinister references
to the Chief of Staff.
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"Troops travelling invariably have complaints to make against the running staff, and all
commanding officers of trains consider that they know more about engine driving than the
driver. In such cases the RSO will at once order shunting to take place and the engine to whistle.
“The fact of the guard being a soldier is sufficient cause for any officer to make him a prisoner if
the engine breaks down.
“The RSO will be in constant communications with the station master, who will give the former
his views on the military situation. Station masters must fully realize that there are two classes
of RSO's, A and B:
"Those appointed and trained by the Director of Railways who talk learnedly about bogie fiats,
coaches, specials, 4-up, etc., and who are not of opinion that each station on the line is the toy
and plaything of the local commandant.
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"Those appointed by the local commandant, their main duty being to exploit the line for the
benefit of their mess, or to expropriate station buildings for garrison uses, ie., recreation rooms,
etc.
“One of the first duties of an RSO on arriving at a station is to collect and guard firewood,
furniture, gongs, ticket-punches, etc., which may be the object of predatory desire on the part of
the troops; he "rill ensure that the station master's table is not annexed by the nearest brigade
major, and that the water-tanks are not at once forbidden to all engines and reserved specially
for horses and men.
"The RSO will find the provision of two rifles and a hatchet of valuable assistance to him in
releasing animals from trucks. He will at all times appear with a sjambok and two hand
grenades to clear the line of trek oxen and mules grazing on the platform or in front of
advancing trains.
“In order to preserve peace and harmony the RSO will allow trains to be delayed up to two
hours, in order that the Commandant may give lunch to passing pals. Should he start a train
within an hour of the time of its being ready to move, he will earn the name of being an
obstructive member of an undisciplined railway staff. But on no account may he hold a train
more than thirty seconds after the heel of the last guest of the Commandant has disappeared
within the door of his cattle-truck."
Good-natured chaff of this type must not blind us to the fact that the railwaymen and soldiers
actually co-operated with remarkable efficiency, and that despite difficulties hundreds of
thousands of men were shifted long distances.
The Zulu Rebellion of 1906 provided the Natal Government Railways with an opportunity to
shine, and although the operations were on a small scale, they caused considerable anxiety at
the time, and demanded a great deal of hard work from the staff of the system. Scores of troop
trains were run from the coast and from inland centres during the comparatively short time the
affair lasted.
The same applies to another little-remembered occasion - the 1913 strike, when tens of
thousands of citizen soldiers, belonging to the newly-created Defence Force, had to be brought
to the Rand. In 1914 there was a short repetition, only to be overshadowed when the Great War
came later in the year.
From the General Manager's Report, which reviewed the railway's war activities, the following
is culled:
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"Up to the Armistice no fewer than 631,880 troops had been conveyed by the S.A.R., besides
266,789 other military employees (such as natives), 561,576 animals, mostly horses and oxen,
26,975 vehicles, 541,840 tons of munitions and supplies, and another 83,075 tons of sundries."
“No fewer than 1,883 special troop and military trains were run exclusive of those operated in
South West Africa during 1914 and 1915. Wounded men, rejected recruits, demobilized soldiers
often demanded special trains of their own."
Standards of comfort had immensely improved for the soldiers since the Anglo Boer War. The
cattle-truck was no longer regarded as suited for human passengers. Horses were used in
thousands in South West Africa, but they were beginning to give way to motor-cars, while
modern artillery and aircraft spares figured on the schedules.
The armoured train had a comeback, but only on a modest scale.
In the present conflict, as is widely recognized, the South African Railways have again risen to
the occasion with goodwill and efficiency.
• The cartoonist “Winder” also drew sketches for the SAP & Forces Magazine The
NONGQAI – HBH
Wepener’s Perambulations
No 57 Senwes Wesselsbron – Hunslet Taylor
Hi guys.
We found this loco at the silos today (3 May 2012), all nicely re-sprayed and fixed up.
For quite a long time she was standing out of use with the engine removed.
She looks quite good in the new livery.
Cheers.
Jacque & John.
• Especially for John N Middleton! - HBH
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Wesselsbron
Hi guys.
Firstly we got 34 028 bringing empties to Wesselsbron silos. She left later light loco to
Kroonstad.
Then 34 499 returned from Tierfontein, there is no tri-angle at Tierfontein to turn the
loco around.
What is of interest is the new "Sy-skyf" branded Transnet. I have NO idea what a sy-
skyf is in English. I know years back when the trains ran without guards they were
black with a white circle on them - then they were called "ore" - ears.
Cheers,
J & J Wepener
What about a “side-disc”? - HBH
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Look at the fore lone “cream-room” – it must be at least 50 years old - HBH
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Filler: 33-208 with the Desert
Express at Swakopmund on 27-3-
2004 – Photo: HB Heymans.
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In the interest of our readers and the railway hobby in general, we place at at our discretion
railway related advertisements at no cost.
No 33-460 Seeheim-omgewing 22 Maart 2004 - HB Heymans
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More of Wesselsbron
Vuller: No 33-465 Windhoek - Rehoboth
28-3-2004 HB Heymans
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25
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Bultfontein pick-up between Allanridge and Rooiblom
Hi guys,
Got the Bultfontein pick-up between Allanridge and Rooiblom. The maintenance
vehicle between Losdorings and Wesselsbron.
Cheers.
Jacque & John.
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Losdorings to Wesselsbron
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All photos by J & J Wepener carry their copyright.
Railway History of South Africa
CGR: 1st Class Hunslet
NGR: 6- Wheeled Coupled Tank Engine
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A Locomotive called “Natal”: 23 June 1860 - [4’ 81/2”]
Hi Hennie –
Here are some photos taken by Alan Wilson about two years ago.
Regards
Ashley
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No problem Hennie – just credit Alan Wilson and Natal Newsletter.
Regards
Ashley
• Thanks to the Natal Newsletter, Alan Wilson and Ashley Peter – HBH.
Cape Town Station - What has happened to Blackie?
Is there anybody out there who could give us a situation report on Blackie – the last
time I visited Cape Town she was not there. Apparently she was stored somewhere for
safe keeping - HBH
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OVS Staatspoorwegen (OVSS)
President MT Steyn’s Carriage
No new information yet – we have spoken to descendants of Pres MT Steyn.
We have asked the War Museum in Bloemfontein for a photograph of the carriage in question
but they have not yet responded to our request.
NZASM
-
Anglo Boer War – Imperial Military Railway
- Fireman: Arthur E Frees, IMR - Standerton
We will remember him!
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- Engine Driver – Harry Wright: IMR Standerton
We will remember him!
7E 7067 @ Alicedale - HB Heymans 5-2-2004
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- Guard: Thomas Ingoldsby: IMR [Late NGR] Standerton
We will remember him!
Any information on the death of the above mentioned members of the IMR will be
welcomed. Note: I have the Times History of the Boer War in South Africa and other
sources. When I have time I will do research on:
• Fireman Arthur E Frees, who died on the 2nd September 1900 nr Heidelberg.
• Engine Driver – Harry Wright: who died on 25 December 1900 at Standerton.
• Guard: Thomas Ingoldsby: [Late NGR] who died on 11 October 1900 near
Vlakfontein.
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Stations: Indwe – “Van” van der Merwe
SAR Loco Ladysmith – Pierre de Wet
Part 1
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Part 2 of the same picture
Ladysmith in the “good old steam days”.
Ladysmith was on the main-line from Durban to Germiston. The enterprising NGR built a line
from Ladysmith to Harrismith over Van Reenen’s Pass. After Anglo-Boer War the NGR
extended their line to Kroonstad. One can see that Durban Harbour played an important
development in the planning of the South African railway lines. The Railway lines were of
strategic importance – once the lines were finished they were used by Boer and Brit in the
Anglo-Boer War. It is my opinion that the Brits won the war because of the railways. One need
railways to support troops at the front. The railways shortened the time for materiel to reach the
front, the wounded were moved quickly to hospitals e.g. at Deelfontein and other places.
Imagine everything had to be conveyed by ox-wagon in rain time?
Looking at all the steam locomotives one just has to think for a moment: What was the SAR’s
contribution to the local economy of Ladysmith?
Patron: Our patron is Les Pivnic. He is a renowned railway photographer and author. His book
on SAR Dining Cars is a classic book and by now Africana. He was assistant- curator at the old
SAR museum in Johannesburg. He is one of the experts on the SA Railways as he has a lifelong
interest in railways.
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SAR Traction and Rolling Stock
1933 Special Tourist Train from Durban to Victoria Falls
- Response from Ashley Peter
Hello again Hennie –
Have only now had an opportunity to go through the April edition of Uloliwe.
With reference to the photograph of the special passenger train being hauled by a Class
GL at Mount Vernon on page 47, I must say I was under the impression that the GL’s
were used exclusively on heavy goods traffic on this route, with passenger trains
usually being worked by Class 14’s. This picture was thus quite a revelation – the only
other occasions I recall seeing GL’s in passenger duty was on the 1947 Royal Train; and
then on a special mixed train arranged by the Railway Society between Stanger and
Empangeni in the 1970’s just before the class was withdrawn.
There appears to be something loaded in the DZ wagon immediately behind the Class
GL locomotive and from its apparent shape beneath what looks like a tarpaulin, I
would suggest that it is a motor car. Perhaps there was some very important dignitary
on board the train who felt the need to rail his personal motor vehicle all the way to
Rhodesia and back…?!
Then, please do not despair in terms of the perceived lack of readership – I think it may
well be higher than you think. Take my case, for example. I print a copy of each
edition, bind it, and then place it in a specific file, which is on display at Railway Society
of Southern Africa (Natal Branch) monthly meetings, along with a number of other files
containing newsletters and correspondence received from similar organisations. These
files are also made available on the monthly Library Days held at Inchanga station. So
38
it gets seen and read by a number of RSSA members and others – many of whom do not
have ready access to the electronic media. After every twelve months these
correspondence files are cleared and their contents transferred to the archives within
the RSSA Natal Branch Library, where the intention is that they will remain available
for posterity.
I would like to build up a complete set of Uloliwe periodicals for the library archives,
but am having difficulty in sourcing some of the earlier editions, namely Vol. 1 nos. 2 –
12 and Vol. 2 no. 2A. Although Vol. 1 no. 2 does appear on the list and can be read on
screen, it doesn’t seem to have a “download” function. Is there some other way of
obtaining copies of these missing volumes?
Kind regards
Ashley Peter
• Dear Ashley – I regret the delay in attending to your query – it is entirely my fault due to
research taking my time. Bruce Jones will be in touch with you - or vice versa.
Ex SAR No 4935: Friends of the Rail
39
40
Ex SAR 15070: Friends of the Rail
This would make a lovely model?
41
SA Railways
Garratt GDA 2257 @ Grahamstown; photographed by HB Heymans 5-2-2004
42
Transnet
Kroonstad Steam Depot & Environs - Rudi Venter via Theuns Mouton
43
44
45
Filler / Vuller:
Pasop! Olifante
en renosters;
tussen Graham-
stad en Alicedale;
5 Februarie 2004 –
Hennie Heymans.
[Going through the late
Boon’s latest book on
railways I note that
some of his photo
credits are wrong.]
46
47
– Ventilator: Jacobus Marais & Schalk Claasen
Lyk my die manne wil nou vlieg en nie meer ry nie, dankie aan Schalk Claassen vir die
foto wat hy op Cedara geneem het.
This machine was captured by Schalk
Claasen. It was used inside the Cedara
Tunnel which is 6,3 km long. A side
view is also taken by Schalk Claasen.
• A word of thanks to Schalk
Claasen and Jacobus Marais!
48
49
The following discussion took place:
Hennie Heymans Wat op dees aarde is dit?
• Jacobus Marais Het nie n idee nie Oom Hennie, sal ‘n foto van ‘n sy aansig
pos. Dit lyk of daar n kragopwekker is saam met die waaier.
• Steve Compion Ek kan maar net raai dat dit ‘n waaier is wat vir ventilasie
in die Cedara tonnel gebruik word.
• Jacobus Marais Maak sin Steve Compion, dit is ‘n lang tonnel en die
manne het vars lug nodig om daar in te kan werk.
• Pierre Strydom Die waaier word gebruik in die Cedara tonnel wanneer
daar gewerk word met diesels, die uitlaatgasse gaan in die tonnel langsaan en dit
affekteer die trein personeel wat daardeur ry. Die waaier blaas die gasse uit die
tonnel, selfs vir die mense wat daar werk. Daar is nie ventilasie in die tonnel nie.
• Steve Compion Dankie Pierre.
• André Kritzinger Hoe lank is die tonnel?
• Christiaan Schutte 6.3 km
• Bill Deyzel Hulle gebruik hom in al die tonnels waar die masjiene werk.
Het al baie met hom gewerk in tonnels,hy raas so dat jy jouself nie kan hoor dink
nie.
- Jacobus Marais: Premier Classe
16 April 2012 Premier Classe at Lions River, with 18-405 en 18-414 doing the hauling.
50
SA Metro Rail
Robin Carlisle's response disappointing - Metrorail
18 April 2012 - Mthuthuzeli Swartz
51
Mthuthuzeli Swartz says request to MEC to delay depot visit was not unreasonable
METRORAIL REGIONAL MANAGER EQUALLY DISAPPOINTED AT MEC'S
RESPONSE
Regional Manager of Metrorail Western Cape, Mthuthuzeli Swartz, expressed
disappointment at MEC Carlisle's response to his request for a
deferred visit. ‘We asked the MEC to postpone his visit to allow the
GCEO of PRASA to accompany him; surely not an unreasonable
request', Swartz said. ‘It would only be fitting for the head of
PRASA to brief him on developments'.
He added that the MEC's response was regrettably not surprising and corroborated
Metrorail's assertions that the MEC opted for every opportunity to publicly lambast the
region. He said Metrorail's problems are public knowledge; so too the enormous efforts
and significant resources to address those problems. ‘A national tender has just been
finalized to plow R700m into securing strategic assets - the region itself will spend R250m to
install surveillance equipment in problem areas' he explained. Swartz confirmed that close
to 100 ex-SANDF members have recently swelled the ranks of regional security force.
He reiterated that the crime within the rail precinct was a societal dilemma and
emanated from the surrounding communities. ‘We urge the MEC to put equal pressure on
his colleagues in cabinet to provide extra resources to tackle the devastating effect of crime within
communities'. Swartz said Metrorail's task is daunting enough to operate more than 600
000 daily passenger trips to 108 stations over 460km of railway tracks - it should not be
forced to venture beyond its jurisdiction to secure assets as a result of societal ills.
Swartz asserted that it was counter-productive to engage in public disputes when
collaboration is required to ensure safe living and travelling conditions for the majority
of public transport users: ‘We submit that the MEC's efforts should be directed at leveraging
additional resources to improve conditions of the communities in the province'. He concluded
that far more would be accomplished through collaboration than criticism: ‘The Province
encourages the use of public transport; yet the very public denigration of the majority public
transport mode further erodes confidence in its use'.
Statement issued by Metrorail Western Cape regional manager, Mthuthuzeli Swartz, April 17
2012
52
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=293520&
sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
Metrorail: Carlisle responds to Swartz
Hector Eliott - 18 April 2012
WCape MEC says regional manager appears unaware of what's going on in province
MINISTER CARLISLE RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF LACK OF
COLLABORATION WITH METRORAIL
Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works, has dismissed allegations by Mthura
Swartz , Regional Manager of Metrorail Western Cape, that the Minister spends more time
"publicly denigrating" the rail network than collaborating with Metrorail to improve it.
In an unprecedented press statement issued in the early hours of this morning, Mr
Swartz slammed Minister Carlisle for "opt(ing) for every opportunity to publicly
lambast the region" rather than collaborating with Metrorail to help it fix its problems.
Minister Carlisle responded that while he understands that Mr Swartz is new in his
post, it remains Metrorail Western Cape's responsibility to ensure that its general
manager is aware of what is going on in the Province.
Current Metrorail security projects funded by Carlisle's department include a security
fencing intervention at nine hotspots in the City and a park-and-ride security project to
support late trains. Other projects like the Mackrill Beach coastal erosion study and the
level crossing Task Team have been driven directly from the Ministry.
"Beyond these obvious examples of how, in reality, we are working very closely with
Metrorail, there is the more important fact that I have spent much of my three years in
office lobbying PRASA and Metrorail for improved service, including increasing the
number of trains and improving security," said Carlisle.
Carlisle's efforts to obtain additional trains for the Cape from PRASA have included
proposals to convert Shosholoza Meyl trains, rent trains internationally, transfer
53
underutilised trains from other provinces and expand refurbishment and repair
facilities for existing trains. The Minister has on numerous occasions encouraged
Metrorail to implement some of the City's best practices regarding security.
“Sometimes it appears to me that Mr Swartz and his team have no understanding of the
daily misery of being a Metrorail commuter," said Carlisle, lamenting the deteriorating
service, citing numerous reports he has personally received of commuter
dissatisfaction, including passengers too fearful of assault and robbery to board trains,
over-crowding, constant tardiness and scheduled trains which simply do not arrive.
Carlisle added that he has an open door. "If Mr Swartz needs assistance of any kind, he
is very welcome to meet with me, or simply send me a written request. I would be
delighted to help. I do consider it peculiar to be accused publicly of being un-co-
operative. After all it was Mr Swartz who ignored my concerns over the fare hikes, and
Mr Swartz who declined to consult the most important public transport player in Cape
Town, which is the City of Cape Town."
Regarding Mr Swartz's assertion that rail crime is symptomatic of the social ills in
surrounding communities and beyond Metrorail's jurisdiction, Carlisle pointed out that
asset protection is the responsibility of any enterprise participating in the South African
economy: "Every other business in South Africa has to secure its assets from metal theft,
and I am unconvinced that Metrorail is exempt. The fact that the system continues to be
plagued by up to 25% fare-dodging is indicative that Metrorail is not even getting the
basics of access control right, let alone securing its assets."
Carlisle commented that, while he is aware of the irregularity of a senior official in a
parastatal launching a personal attack on a member of the executive in a media
statement, he isn't "overly concerned with protocol issues".
Statement issued by Hector Eliott, Head of Ministry, Western Cape Ministry of Transport and
Public Works, April 18 2012
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=293537&
sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
– New Train Building Program
In the next 20 years South Africa is planning 7 724 new passenger coaches at a projected cost of
R123,5 billion, 65 000 new jobs. See Afrikaans news release below.
54
- Treinbouplan bekend- Johan Brits
Johannesburg. – Mnr. Sibusiso Ndebele, minister van vervoer, het Suid-Afrikaanse
treinvervaardigers gister aangemoedig om te bie vir die kontrakte om 7 724 moderne
passasierswaens oor die volgende 20 jaar teen altesame R123,5 miljard vir die Metrorail-
treindiens te bou.
Dié passasierswaens, waarvan die eerstes reeds in 2015 voltooi moet wees, moet van so
’n hoë gehalte wees dat Metrorail se beoogde moderne passasierstreindiens die grootste
ommekeer nóg in die land se treinvervoerbedryf sal bring, het Ndebele gesê.
Hy het gister met die bekendstelling van die aankoopprogram in Braamfontein gesê
bowenal moet dié verbeterde treindiens Suid-Afrika se aansien verhoog sodat hy nie
meer as ’n ontwikkelende land gereken word nie, maar as ’n ontwikkelde land.
Hy is optimisties dat die projek tot 65 000 poste kan skep en dat dit lewe in die land se
vervaardigingsektor sal blaas.
Die regering het tot dusver R137 miljard vir die vernuwing van Metrorail begroot.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse passasierspooragentskap (Prasa) het vanjaar reeds R5 miljard
hiervan ontvang.
Altesame R4 miljard gaan bestee word aan die eerste reeks verkrygings van die nuwe
spoorwegvoertuie. Die res gaan aan die opknapping van sekere stasies en die bou van
nuwes, asook aan die opknapping van infrastruktuur bestee word.
Prasa stort benewens die geld wat hy van die regering ontvang, sy huidige
kapitaalbestedingsprogram van R6,1 miljard in die moderniseringsproses.
Ndebele sê die treinvervoerbedryf is ’n belangrike lewensaar vir ekonomiese groei en
volhoubaarheid.
Mnr. Lucky Montana, uitvoerende hoof van Prasa, sê ’n uitvoerbaarheidstudie het
getoon 7 224 Metrorail-passasierswaens sal gebou moet word om in die stygende vraag
na treinvervoer landwyd te voorsien.
Ndebele het gesê dit is ’n “skrikwekkende prentjie” as ’n mens elke middag sien hoe
erg beknop treinpendelaars in treine sit.
Die grootste vraag na vervoer is in Gauteng, die Wes-Kaap en KwaZulu-Natal.
55
Ndebele het gesê die huidige spoorwegvoertuie dateer van die 1960’s en 1970’s en is
aan die einde van hul werkleeftyd. “Ons het ’n omwenteling in ons spoorvervoerstelsel
nodig – dit beteken nuwe en moderner treinwaens. Dit moet spoorwegvoertuie wees
van dieselfde moderne gehalte as dié in Europa.”
Ndebele en Montana het die afgelope tyd in China gaan kers opsteek oor dié land se
passasierstreinstelsel.
Volgens Montana gaan die huidige vloot spoorwegvoertuie nie oornag met nuwes
vervang word nie. “Ons gaan sowel die oues as die nuwes gebruik. Die laaste trein in
die huidige vloot sal in 2032 ‘aftree’.”
Volgens Montana is die droom van ’n moderne passasierstreindiens al ses jaar gelede
gebore.
“Ek vra die regering al lank vir ’n ommekeer in die treinstelsel. Selfs strukture wat
pendelaars verteenwoordig, dring op ’n nuwe treinvloot aan.
“In 2007 is ek weggewys en meegedeel ’n nuwe vloot is nie moontlik nie. Drie jaar later
het ’n omwenteling gekom.”
Teen Desember sal die keuringsproses vir vervaardigers afgehandel wees.
“Ons wil vennote met kundigheid inbring. Ons het ook ’n verskerpte proses vir swart
ekonomiese bemagtiging (SEB). Dit sal keer dat SEB-vennote hul aandeel verkoop sodra
die kontrak beklink is.”
Montana sê sterk klem word op plaaslike bemagtiging gelê – 65% van die bieërs moet in
Suid-Afrika wees.
Prasa gaan die bodproses in die naweekkoerante adverteer.
http://www.sake24.com/Ekonomie/Treinbouplan-bekend-20120420
56
More Durban Railway stations - Rudi Venter
The Former Loco at Bayhead
57
“Lest we Forget” SAR & H “Roll of Honour”
George Railway Museum – Robert Adams
58
Hi Hennie,
I'm a "hidden" member who reads Ulolwe and enjoys it.
59
I'm sending a picture of the Roll Of Honour plaque that is currently in the George
Railway Museum. It seems to be for the fallen of SAR in the Western Transvaal for
WW2. How and why it is in George I do not know.
Regards
Rob Adams
• Thank you Rob Adams and welcome in our circle - HBH
- Rhodesian Railwaymen: Zimbabwe
• Is there somebody from Zimbabwe that can give more information on this subject? -
HBH
Old Free State mainline alignments – J Wepener & Bruno Martin
-
60
The Nelson Mandela Bridge, Braamfontein – Johannes Botha
The bridge goes over the tracks at Braamfontein and Johan Botha captured the view from both
sides of the track - HBH
61
Railway People – Spoorwegmense
- See graves of railwaymen attached to the IMR during the war.
Water Police Durban
Hallo,
My neef het my die Spoorwegnuusblad ge-epos met sy oorlede pa, Adam Hurter, wat op die
waterpolisie boot staan.
Adam was my pa, JJ van der Merwe, se vriend en albei was in die waterpolisie totdat my pa na
die speurdiens oorgeplaas was. Adam en JJ is getroud met 'n Marais tweeling, Joan en Joyce
onderskeidelik.
Is daar dalk nog foto’s beskikbaar? Miskien van my pa JJ?
Groete
Dirk J Van Der Merwe
62
• We need photos of the Durban Water Police please – I have posted all the photographs I
have.
Previous issues
For previous issues of Uloliwe click on: http://issuu.com/hennieheymans/docs
Book Shelf
RMT
South African Airways: Johannes Botha
63
This is SAA’s 2nd A320, call sign ZS-SZY, captured on May 2, 2012 by Johannes Botha of
Boksburg.
SAA’s Museum: Maluti – Johan Jacobs: Benoni
Maluti is one of only two Boeing 747’s in flying condition – Johan Jacobs
Harbours
New Durban Harbour at old “Louis Botha Airport”
Nuwe hawe vir Durban gaan R100 miljard kos
2012-04-16 12:36
Durban – Durban se ou internasionale lughawe gaan uitgegrawe word en in die stad se
tweede hawe omskep word, het The Mercury berig.
64
Luidens die koerant kom dié stappe nadat die Mededingingstribunaal die planne
goedgekeur het.
Die tribunaal het Transnet se aankoop van die lughawe van die Suid-Afrikaanse
lughawemaatskappy (Acsa) vir R1,8 miljard goedgekeur.
Transnet beplan om R100 miljard in die fasiliteit te belê. Die hawe gaan 16 aanlêplekke
vir skeepshouers, vyf motoraanlêplekke en vier aanlêplekke vir skepe wat vloeistof
vervoer, hê.
Durban se internasionale lughawe, wat suid van die stad geleë is, is in Mei 2010 buite
werking gestel ná die opening van die King Shaka- internasionale lughawe, noord van
die stad.
http://afrikaans.news24.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Nuwe-hawe-vir-Durban-gaan-R100-
miljard-kos-20120416
Catering Division
-
Rhodesian and Zimbabwean Railway – J Batwell
Dear John,
Let’s hope this becomes a regular feature in Uloliwe! I am a bit hesitant to crop your
pictures – when we discussed I thought I would place two pictures on a page. It
appears to be impossible. To do justice to the pictures I will try and fill the space with
related pictures or writing.
The old Rhodesian and Zimbabwean photographs capture an ambience of the past – of
romantic days during the Border War in Rhodesia.
Hennie
65
The cynosure of Rhodesian and Zimbabwean steam types, the class 15 (right) and class
20 (left) effect a crossing and crew change at Gwayi on the Bulawayo-Victoria
Falls mainline. Photo: J Batwell.
66
Late afternoon is a favourite time of day for steam photographers to get out along the
line to shoot beautifully side-lit machines – in this instance a class 16A watering at
Gwanda in southern Matabeleland. Photo: J Batwell
67
One of the really sought-after shots “to be bagged” by photographers was steam on the
now 107 year old Victoria Falls bridge linking Zimbabwe with Zambia – in this case it is
a class 15 Garratt that is being shot. Photo: J Batwell.
John says: “Glad one could assist and as I said please huck my dear friend/historian
Richard Clatworthy for historical material, both RR and SAR.”
John – Let’s hope Richard Clatworthy responds positively!
68
The cameras come out at night too – here are two Garratt locomotives, a class 14A (left)
and class 15 (right) in an evocative study at Bulawayo Running Shed. Photo: M
Bleckmann.
Rovos Rail
A Rovos-collage from Johannes Botha
69
Reef Steamers
See page 93 for everything as received from Lee Gates – HBH.
South African Models
Scalecraft: Adrian Hill
Hi Hennie,
Here are some pictures of the manufacturing process at Scalecraft.
Let me tell you about each photograph:
70
Wickham trolleys being painted
The model is largely laser cut in a clear material. We remove the protective tape except
for the windows. The model is assembled and the resin cast nose and roof are added.
Then it is a matter of masking, painting, masking, painting, decaling and varnishing. It
is quite amazing how much masking needs to be done even on such a little model.
CNC Start-up
The mould sometimes comes out to thick. We then use the CNC to machine away the
excess material on the inside of the model. You might find it odd to see clamps on both
ends of the model even though the model is held firmly in a vice. The reason for this is
because the clamp stops the model from vibrating in tandem with the cutter.
71
CNC Bachmann chassis for the 5E1
We have found that Bachmann chassis are extremely well made, heavy and nearly fit in
a 5E body. We strip the entire chassis and then use the CNC to machine the chassis to fit
snugly in the body.
72
Laser cutting model side tests
I got an idea in my head to make wooden bodied coaches out of wood. The idea works
extremely well and looks really nice. It is one of those ideas that need to be developed
further. I can't wait to make an O or G scale C16 balcony coach in wood.
73
On the workbench
We manufacture many, many models all the time. There is normally anything between
50 and 100 models on the list to be manufactured. I am rather anal about quality so
building tens to take longer than we plan. The photograph shows models in various
stages of production.
74
Tankers in progress
We try to build similar models in batches. Those silver tankers are a special order that
we did for a client. The client wanted TRANS NAMIB XPJ12 fuel tankers. Of course, as
things go, the Namibian XPJ12 and the South African XPJ12 are slightly different. We
also created a set of Namibian decals for the 12 models.
75
Laser cutting MDF shapes.
We also laser cut all sorts of other stuff like those MDF shapes. Girls use those shapes
when they do scrapbooking and such. (We have to do something for the girls)
I post the photographs so that you can get an idea of what it takes to make the models.
Nothing that we do is a big secret technique; it is simply applying appropriate
technologies to solving manufacturing problems.
The one thing that I have learned through building models is that techniques evolve.
We evaluate every step in the assembly process so as to make it more accurate, faster
and more efficient.
76
One would think that building models is just a hobby and that one doesn't need to
devote a lot of time to manufacturing issues, but I can assure you, when you have to
produce 50-100 models in a month, the resolution of those issues becomes extremely
important.
Regards,
Adrian Hill
Paul Wolfvaart member of the Outeniqua Model Railway Club
The world of railways is indeed a small world. Through model railroading I met a school
friend, Paul Wolvaart, we were in school together going back to Stellawood Primary School
(1952) and Port Natal Primary in 1953 onwards. He is a member of the Outeniqua Model
Railway Club
Haai daar.
Die een met die 5c stuk is van 'n paar van my N-skaal lokomotiewe en die Nr plaat
(2006) is myne. Dis van die laaste 14 CRB wat in Kaapstad geloop het op 10 Januarie
1982.
77
Die rooi dak stasie is 'n 'scratchbuilt' wat ek in die 80's van Gillitts stasie gemak het. Kyk
op bladsy 6/7 van AW Smith / DE Bourne se boek: "The Spirit of Steam" - as jy dit dalk
het.
Ek sal weer in my foto’s en lêers krap want ek het nogal baie SAS foto’s en dingetjies
wat dalk vir jou tot hulp kan wees met jou tydskrif.
Hoe kry mens jou tydskrif sodat dit A4 grote is?
Groetnis
Paul tells me he also has a large N-gauge collection. We will ask him to tell us more in
the next issue. Here he wrote about his models, his layout and his club, here are some
pictures:
78
79
Port Natal 1953 – The Innocence of Youth: Paul Wolvaart back row right and Hennie Heymans
front row left, I wonder if Paul can remember this.
80
From the Press
State Owned Companies - Politics Web
How SOCs are making a difference - Malusi Gigaba
Malusi Gigaba - 15 April 2012
Minister says Transnet steadily improving operational efficiency (Apr 12)
Remarks by Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Malusi Gigaba, MP, at The New Age-
SABC Business briefing in Sandton, Johannesburg: 12 Apr 2012
Last year I announced a new vision for the Department of
Public Enterprises (DPE), with a strong emphasis on driving
investment, productivity and transformation in our portfolio of
State-Owned Companies (SOC) and their customers and
suppliers, so as to unlock growth, drive industrialisation, create
jobs and develop skills.
This morning, I will provide you with some of the concrete initiatives undertaken by
both the SOCs and the department to turn this vision into a reality.
In the Transnet Market Demand Strategy, we are beginning to see results from an
approach to planning based on what is required to unlock growth, rather than what the
balance sheet can afford.
As a consequence of this process, Transnet has increased their planning horizon from
five to seven years and the planned investment programme from R110 billion over five
years, to over R300 billion over seven years.
This an average increase from R22 billion per year to around R43 billion per year.
In addition, 55% of the investment will be used for qualitatively new capacity to
support growth, whereas in the previous programme only 30% was used for new
equipment.
Transnet management has put considerable effort into improving operational
efficiencies.
81
A 24-hour, seven day national command centre has been introduced to plan, resource
and manage the movement of trains across the country.
A scheduled departure system has been introduced in general freight.
The results of management's focus on efficiency are spectacular.
Year on year efficiency measurements have improved on average by 17%.
Volumes on rail have grown by 7.3%.
New weekly records have been set and then improved upon for both the coal and iron
ore lines.
At the ports, the Pier 1 Container Terminal at the Port of Durban recorded increased
productivity, with gross crane moves per hour improving by 20% to the average of 28
compared to 23 achieved in the previous financial year.
These productivity improvements have allowed some of Transnet's key customers to
expand production with associated increases in employment and exports.
To support the focus on productivity improvements on our logistics system, the
department has invested substantially in the National Corridor Performance
Measurement Project.
This is an information technology based intervention to measure the operational
efficiencies of different processes along key logistics corridors so as to identify areas for
improvement and to enhance collaboration between different players on the logistics
chain.
In response to the President's call for a lower price increase this financial year, the
department and Eskom worked on the proposals to reduce the increase such that it
achieves a balance between the interests of the country, the industry and Eskom and its
credit providers.
A revised price increase giving back more than R11 billion to South African consumers
was developed in line with the Energy Regulator's processes, and was approved and
announced on 15 March 2012.
82
It is my expectation that the reduction in the tariff will filter down to the different
sectors of the economy, thereby cushioning the end-users, especially the poor and
vulnerable.
What is not fully appreciated is that the reduced tariff was made possible by a range of
initiatives in Eskom which resulted in a reduction in the five year capital expenditure
programme of over R70 billion without sacrificing any objectives of the programme.
This process included a comprehensive review of all capital projects to effectively
prioritise and identify costs-savings through better planning, scoping and prioritisation,
through more effective sourcing and contracting and through faster delivery.
In addition, Eskom's management has put considerable effort into improving the cost,
speed and effectiveness of maintenance processes and into optimising outputs from
each power-station.
I wish to emphasise the importance of the effort both Eskom and Transnet have put into
building their capabilities to manage and leverage the procurement of large capital
projects and complex capital equipment to get both value for the enterprise and drive
an industrialisation process in their supply chains.
After a twenty year gap in investment, the two companies and many of their national
suppliers have been on an extremely steep learning curve.
Although certain projects have fallen behind schedule, I am comfortable that the
programme as a whole is on track and that contingency measures have been put in
place between the SOCs and their key suppliers to bring the delivery of delayed
projects back to an acceptable and predictable timeline.
I believe Eskom and Transnet are building the ability to implement and leverage
projects of a scale and complexity that is beyond the capability of any other organisation
in South Africa.
In this regard, I am proud to announce towards the end of May this year, Eskom shall
perform pressure test on one of the boilers at Medupi, which is the first step towards
finishing the commissioning of the first unit at Medupi over the next 12 months.
This is a very significant step towards ensuring that we have first power at Medupi by
2013.
83
What attaches such significance to this is the fact that the last new boiler in South Africa
was in Majuba almost 20 years ago.
At Ingula, most underground tunnelling work is almost completed; upper and lower
dams are completed; by 2014 Ingula should be completed.
For its part, at Kusile, the first boiler is going up and we are on track to have the first
unit coming on stream by 2014.
We are in the process of harnessing this capacity in designing a programme office for
the Presidential Infrastructure Projects to ensure that we achieve high levels of co-
ordination between the multitude of different stakeholders that will be involved in the
implementation of these historic and catalytic projects.
Since the establishment of Broadband Infraco, the price of broadband has dropped by
over 80%, which is testimony to the importance of government's presence in this sector
to prevent abuse of monopoly power.
Over the last year, the department has focused on bringing stability to Infraco's
management and business processes.
I am pleased to say that this has been achieved and the company is now poised to
coherently and efficiently roll out its network in a manner that will enhance access to
broadband capacity in both developed and under-serviced areas.
There are various opportunities and partnerships we are pursuing in and with various
provincial and metro governments.
South African Airways, in collaboration with South African Express, has been focusing
on building its network in Africa.
Earlier this year, when he opened the Dube Trade Port in Durban, the President made
some significant announcements in this regard.
This will support continental trade and economic integration.
To stay competitive, SAA will need to replace its wide body aircraft mostly used for
inter-continental flights in the next few years with more fuel efficient aircraft.
84
This will require a capital injection both to pay for the aircraft and to put SAA on a
firmer financial footing.
I believe this investment into SAA will be money well spent.
I believe the state needs to provide security of supply of international air-travel into
South Africa, given the highly volatile nature of the industry and our location, as a
relatively small country, on the Southern tip of Africa.
SAA's statutory mandate requires it to provide reliable and extensive air transport
capacity; air links with the Republic's main business, trading and tourism markets
within the African continent and other emerging markets; as well as to contribute to key
domestic, intra-regional and international air linkages.
In this regard, the State intends to retain it as a national carrier - an African Airline with
Global Reach.
Of course, this is not a blanket mandate for the airline not to be profitable as we expect
it to achieve more strategic profitable routes into each of the major continents linking to
key cities and their airports.
Government therefore expects SAA to increase its operations to African routes and
serve heavy-traded routes in South Africa.
SAA operates in a heavily liberalised market and has recently been very negatively
affected by the hikes in fuel prices, the global economic downturn which has reduced
passengers as well as high airport charges.
These challenges are however not insurmountable.
Denel as a group is stabilising its financial footing despite the challenging global
trading environment.
The company's core defence entities are breaking even.
Denel Aerostructures and interest payments loans have been the main drivers of the
losses in the Group.
85
However, Denel and Airbus have reached an agreement on the pricing of the work
packages produced by Denel Aerostructures which will fundamentally alter the
financial outlook for the company.
It should be noted that Airbus has praised the capability and delivery record of Denel
Aerostructures on the A400M programme.
This is a significant vote of confidence in the company from a leading global aerospace
company.
As developmental companies, we are committed to leveraging our SOCs to train
beyond their immediate business needs to provide skills for the broader economy.
Currently, more than 5 200 learners are enrolled for training in Eskom and its supplier
network, about 2 800 of whom are matriculants undergoing trade training and there are
2 400 graduates in internships.
Recently, we launched the Eskom Welding Academy and are soon to launch both the
Leadership and Project Management Academies.
Transnet is providing training for about 3500 engineering-related learners including
technicians, artisans and sector specific scarce skills such as train drivers.
Transnet enrolled 854 new artisan learners which is significantly beyond its business
needs and is exceeding the targets agreed in the national skills accord.
In total, when including the baseline of 9735 as at March 2011, more than 15 000 learners
were trained in various scarce and critical skills learning programmes within the SOCs
in our portfolio.
Further to this, SAA Technical last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Ekurhuleni West College to train young people in aviation skills.
The department continues to engage with the Department of Higher Education and
Training to find ways to further to improve on this performance through raising
additional resources.
The DPE also launched the Youth Economic Participation Programme in June 2011 to
systematically mainstream youth participation in the economy within SOC business.
86
A forum is being established between the department and the SOCs to implement this
programme which includes a mechanism to help young entrepreneurs to access capital
using the collaboration of the development finance institutions such as Khula, National
Empowerment Fund, Industrial Development Corporation through a dedicated fund,
an idea that will be finalised by the end of this financial year.
Through the SOC operations, investment programmes and developmental
interventions we are laying a foundation for growth, investment and employment
creation in the South African economy.
I am confident that by 2020, the South African economy will be operating at a very
different level because of the initiatives that we are taking through our SOC today.
In addition, because of the bold decisions taken by our SOC's to effect transformation
and bring into the fold black players, we should see an increased participation by black
people in business in areas where they had hitherto been faced with barriers.
We hope these black people who will get such opportunities will act decisively and
magnanimously to open up space for more.
I thank you.
Issued by the Department of Public Enterprises, April 12 2012
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=292717&
sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
Press Reports on Johannesburg Station Paintings: JH Pierneef
1. Pierneef herbesoek (Graaff-Reinet)
2012-04-14 21:12 - Chris du Plessis
Dit was die dooie man by sy voete, pas koelbloedig afgemaai deur rowers, wat Carl
Becker die eerste keer ernstig laat besin het oor sy toekoms.
Hy was destyds lid van ’n buurtwag in Melville in Johannesburg. Aand ná aand het hy
eerstehands ervaar wat wérklik aangaan in dié vrolike, alleroulikste, boheemse
voorstadjie. Hy het gesien hoe die gemoedelike gemeenskappie verander van heilsame
bohemia in ’n potensiële ghetto wanneer die smokkelaars met hul speedball-
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dwelmpakkies laatnag begin instroom en die gebreekte bottels, urinereuk en braaksel
op die sypaadjies begin ophoop – alles teen die agtergrond van die polsende gedreun
van ’n klankbaan uit die verbygaande pimp-waens.
Nie lank daarna nie, iewers in 2006, staan
Becker in ’n kunsmuseum in Graaff-Reinet
voor een van Jacob Hendrik Pierneef se
yslike landskappe en hy weet: “Ek wil daar
wees, binne-in daai plek. Ek soek die stilte.
Daardie wêreld van orde en skoonheid.”
Die skildery voor hom was een van
Pierneef se sogenaamde stasiepanele,
tamaai skilderye wat hy 80 jaar gelede vir
die destydse Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë en
Hawens geskilder het.
So het ’n pelgrimstog begin wat uiteindelik
jare geduur het: Om al die plekke te besoek
wat Pierneef op daardie panele vasgelê het.
Om Pierneef uit te sonder vir so ’n projek was nie ’n maklike besluit vir ’n voormalige
leftie soos Becker nie.
As een van die enkele “Afrikaanse” skilders (Pierneef was eintlik van Nederlandse
afkoms) uit die ou Suid-Afrika wat internasionale aansien verwerf het, is Pierneef
dekades reeds ’n teiken in sekere kunskringe.
In hierdie ikonoklastiese omgewing het Pierneef ’n simbool geword van “Afrikaner-
nasionalistiese kuns” – al het hy baie gedoen om plaaslike swart kuns te bevorder.
In 1989 het die kuns-punk Wayne Barker, wat bekendheid verwerf het met sy
Duchamp-agtige skendings van bekende werke, ’n kopie van Pierneef se Apiesrivier-
paneel gemaak en as ’n protesstelling in ’n Johannesburgse sjebien verwoes.
Dan is daar ook ’n foto van die anti-establishment-groep bekend as Avant Car Guard,
wat in 2010 amok gemaak het by Pierneef se graf tydens prof. Michael Godby van die
Universiteit van Kaapstad se groot landskapkunsuitstalling Lie of the Land.
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“Dis alles bog,” sê Becker. “Dit is vergesog om Pierneef as fascis uit te kryt omdat hy nie
polities aktief was nie en ’n professionele kommissie deur ’n regeringsdepartement
aanvaar het.”
Becker was vasbeslote om rus vir sy siel te kry en “oom Hennie” Pierneef sou hom help
om dit reg te kry. Party mense emigreer Australië toe; Carl Becker het besluit om hom
in Pierneef-landskapppe te verloor.
Sy werkwyse was eenvoudig: Soek die presiese plek en invalshoek wat Pierneef as
vertrekpunt vir sy panele gebruik het. Neem foto’s en skilder ’n waterverf-weergawe.
Verf dan ’n presiese replika van Pierneef se oorspronklike sodat jy die meester se
werkwyse kan internaliseer.
Dan eers kan jy begin met jou eie interpretasie van die toneel waarin die verloop van
tyd in ag geneem word en wys hoe die omgewing verander het.
Dit was natuurlik makliker gesê as gedaan. Nie net omdat Pierneef soms verskillende
perspektiewe van een toneel in een skildery saamgeflans het nie, maar omdat van die
plekke glad nie meer dieselfde lyk nie.
Leeukop in Kaapstad was bykans onbegonne; totdat Becker besef het Pierneef het op
die ou Tafelbaaise pier gestaan toe hy dié toneel geskilder het. Die pier is in 1940 met
die drooglegging van die voorstrand afgebreek en die plek waar hy gestaan het, is min
of meer waar die Kaapstadse Internasionale Konferensiesentrum deesdae staan.
“Dis die ongelooflikste gevoel as mens op die presiese plekke afkom wat Pierneef
gekies het.
“Hy het ’n oog gehad om werklik ongelooflik mooi plekke uit te snuffel.”
Becker sê sy ervaring in die Kliprivierberg, suid van Johannesburg, was fantasties
omdat hy met die verbyry op die hoofweg die huis in die Pierneef-paneel plotseling
herken het. Toe hy later soontoe gaan om te verf, ontmoet hy Hans Meyer, wie se oupa
’n plaas in die kontrei besit (vandaar die naam Meyerton) en Pierneef persoonlik geken
het.
Die woning, wat nog oorspronklike Pierneefs op die muur het, was van die eerstes in
die destydse Transvaal en lyk nog presies dieselfde as in die skildery – behalwe vir die
groot hoofweg wat nou daar verbyloop.
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Nog ontdekkings was minder aangenaam: Die koppies sigbaar op die
Hartbeespoortdam-paneel word vandag ontsier deur ’n nouveau-Toskaanse nagmerrie.
Soos Becker se kennis van die ou meester se werkwyse toegeneem het, het hy sekere
eienaardighede in die hoogs gestileerde prente begin raaksien. Pierneef het nie net
perspektiewe gemeng en aspekte vergroot of verklein nie; hy het ook soms die lig van
verskillende tye van die dag in een prent saamgesnoer.
“Eers as mens die heeldag op een plek staan en verf kom jy byvoorbeeld agter in die
Rustenburgkloof-paneel laat hy duidelik die oggendson op die kranse val.
“Maar elders in dieselfde werk weerkaats ’n laatmiddagson teen die wolke, wat die
heeldag bokant die kranse opbou.
“Dit maak van hom effektief ’n leuenaar, of ten minste ’n towenaar. Maar sy
verdraaiing van die waarheid en kleurtoorkuns vind groter inslag in die geheue as ’n
foto, wat elke prentjie oor dieselfde kam skeer.”
Daar is nog uniekhede. “Hy het nooit swart gebruik nie, selfs nie in die buitelyne nie.
Die donkerste kleure is donkergroen of -blou.”
Hy was ook heel funky vir sy tyd – gek daarna om die pers en mauve skakerings wat
later so gewild geword het in die psigedeliese 1970’s by sy kleure in te meng. “Pleks
daarvan om skadu’s te gebruik om diepte te skep, onderskei hy sommer twee vlakke
met verskillende kleure.
“Hy was ’n natuurlike redigeerder. Hy het nie tyd gehad vir rondf*k nie.”
Kyk mens na die oorspronklike werke met die pastelkleurige, plat vlakke in swaar
buitelyne verpak, is dit amper spotprentagtig; soos agtergronde vir Georges
Remi (oftewel Hergé) se Kuifie-karakters. Remi was ’n tydgenoot van Pierneef.
In Becker se weergawe van die Rustenburg-paneel word ook die pleknaam in ironie
gedompel wanneer ’n kwadfiets oor die berg gedreun kom en die rustige vista versteur.
Soos Pierneef, glo Becker daar is ’n heilige aspek aan landskapverf; aan die natuur as
redder en saligmaker. “Jy gaan na die Bosveld om jou siel te hernu.”
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Sy werk op hierdie plekke het hom laat besef dat Pierneef se akute aandag aan die
plantlewe, hemelruim en krake in die rotswande nie die produk van ’n ideologiese
nastrewe was nie.
“Dis die werk van iemand wat glo in die genesingskrag van die natuur.”
Becker het agtergekom dat Pierneef in die 1930’s as’t ware op ’n “soort nirvana”
afgekom het en dat ons hom “as ’n waarsêer moet sien eerder as manipuleerder”.
“Die ware storie agter hierdie panele is een van ’n verraaide visie. Een met die bierblik
onder in die rivier.”
Verw: http://www.rapport.co.za/Weekliks/Nuus/Pierneef-herbesoek-20120414
2. Ontsteltenis oor Pierneef-panele
2012-05-05 23:48
Die Pierneefskilderye in die Pierneefmuseum in
Graaff-Reinet.
Johan Eybers - ’n Pierneefmuseum sonder sy
Pierneefskilderye.
Dít is die teleurstelling wat besoekers aan
Graaff-Reinet nou tref wat spesiaal soontoe reis
om na Pierneef se geliefde tamaai stasiepanele
te gaan kyk wat hy 80 jaar gelede vir die
destydse Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens
geskilder het. Dié skilderye het tot onlangs in
die Pierneef-museum in Graaff-Reinet gehang
voordat dit na die Rupert-museum in
Stellenbosch verskuif is.
Inwoners van en besoekers aan Graaff-Reinet is
ongelukkig oor die skuif.
’n Rapport-leser kla in ’n brief hy en sy gesin
wou in die Desember-vakansie na die stasiepanele gaan kyk wat in die Pierneef-museum hang.
“Ons gesin en ander besoekers was erg teleurgesteld.
“Veral dié wat spesiaal en na aanleiding van die kompetisieprogram op Kwêla daarheen gereis
het om dit te sien,” sê die briefskrywer.
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Inwoners beweer die skilderye is verwyder sonder enige oorlegpleging met die gemeenskap.
’n Inwoner wat anoniem wil bly sê die indruk is eers gewek die stasiepanele word aan die
Rupert-museum in Stellenbosch geleen, maar later het dit geblyk dit is permanent verskuif.
Deon Hasselman, kurator van die Rupert-museum, sê die besluit is om veiligheidsredes geneem
en om dit vir meer mense toeganklik te maak.
“Die waarde van dié skilderye het geweldig toegeneem en die veiligheid by die Pierneef-mu-
seum was heeltemal onvoldoende.
“By die Rupert-museum is hul veiligheid gewaarborg,” sê hy.
Hasselman sê die gebrek aan belangstelling in die skilderye in Graaff-Reinet het ook ’n rol
gespeel.
So min as 140 mense het maandeliks na die skilderye in Graaff-Reinet gaan kyk, terwyl 140
kunsliefhebbers dit daagliks in Stellenbosch besigtig.
Daar is blykbaar ’n misvatting dat die stasiepanele aan Graaff-Reinet behoort, sê Hasselman.
“Dit is nie die geval nie. Dit behoort aan Transnet en is volksbesit. “Daar is ’n kontrak met
Transnet om die skilderye uit te stal,” sê hy.
Volgens hom is die kunswerke ’n tyd lank as ’n gebaar van welwillendheid aan Graaff-Reinet
beskikbaar gestel.
’n Kunsuitstalling van internasionale werke word vir later vanjaar in die Pierneef-museum
beplan, sê Hasselman.
http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Ontsteltenis-oor-Pierneef-panele-20120505
SA RAILWAY RELATED INTERNET GROUPS
Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe
Visit our website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/74709226744/
It is an “open group” on the railways in South Africa. Keep abreast with the latest
developments of the railways in South Africa. It was started by Hennie Heymans some years
ago. Johannes Marais is also an administrator. No politics or no language questions. Keep it
simple: only one thing on the agenda: Railways in Southern Africa.
611 Members
92
Yahoo: SAR-Miniatures – Adrian Hill
Please join us on our mailing list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sar-miniatures/join
We not only talk about modelling SAR but also about modelling in general. The list is
free of politics and bickering and our aim is not only to advance SAR modelling but also
to exchange ideas and techniques.
Social media facilitates ‘RHODESIA RAILWAY’ Group - John Batwell
A recent innovation on Facebook has been the start and rapid development of a
RHODESIA RAILWAYS site. Started by former railway employee Eddie Roussot, the
site has grown in leaps and bounds and has over 260 members already and a plethora
of photographs which depict the historical milestones and development of the small
country’s railway since those pioneering days back in 1897. Besides photos of stations,
sidings, locomotives of all types of traction, there are a number of photos posted too
depicting the human resources of the railway. The facility has enabled so many folk
spread far and wide across the world to reunite electronically and share their nostalgic
and contemporary photographic records and short comments of another time and age
working on one of Southern Africa’s most efficient rail systems. The facility also enables
technical questions to be shared and responses offered, new publications to be
marketed, as well as a catch-up time with old friends and work colleagues of yesteryear.
Website for Reefsteamers: Lee Gates
Dear Reefsteamers and Friends of Steam,
Please find attached a status report on the donations drive that we are
currently running for the Reefsteamers Class 15F Locomotive No.2914
Repair Project.
93
Remember that while I have undertaken to do a Reefsteamers Depot
Report-styled progress document, at intervals, you can find the latest
information (albeit a bit scattered) on the 15F 2914 Facebook Page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/387773301244867/
Thanks, Lee Gates
Stubbornly unrepentant ferro-equinologist !
Owns 1:12 scale 10BR No.751 ‘Little Empress.'
Steam Power – It’s the Wheel Thing!
“With a plume thrown confidently over her shoulder, her gaunt, steely
rods whirling with stubborn purpose, an insatiable fire beating
fiercely within her iron heart and the yearning call of her spirit lofted
to the heavens via the brass-throated whistle, the steam locomotive is
passion personified in warm, living, pulsing steel and is surely worthy
of the right to live.”
Preserving South Africa’s Steam Heritage for all to enjoy.
Website = http://www.reefsteamers.com
Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/groups/reefsteamers/
Class 15F No.2914 approaches Vlakdrift in 2005. (Pic by Aidan
McCarthy)
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95
Outside South Africa
Pandora’s Box
Anything can come out of Pandora’s Box, here are some pictures we received this month:
96
97
Mail Bag
- Stuart Grossert
98
Dear Hennie and Bruce:
I've worked on the photos you sent and hope that I've managed to get
some of the printing dots cleaned up. These were not as easy to do as
some I've scanned from old SASSAR magazines, but this must depend also
on the scanner.
I opened each file in Irfan View and in the past I went to Image,
Effects, Median Filter to smooth out printing dots. That didn't work
on these files, even with adjusting the settings on the Median Filter.
I resized each image to 3000 pixels on the larger dimension and then
played with Image, Colour Corrections, which let me adjust the Gamma
Correction -- increased that from 1.0 to 1.4 which gave a bland image
with most dots washed out, after which I increased the Contrast.
Finally, I smoothed the result, resized the image to 1500 pixels in
the larger dimension and saved the file under a new file name. I also
cropped the previous image and saved again, so these are what I'm
sending you. You can probably do similar things in Photoshop if you
use that program.
99
The photo of the work at Elsburg really needs more texture, but it
sure is dramatic - is that a class 13 on the work train?2
Finally, it's easier for me to send large files from my Gmail account, but I don't check
this regularly. If you wish to contact me please write to my Dalhousie email account.
Best regards,
Stuart Grossert
• Thanks for your letter Stuart and interest in this matter. Your enhanced photos
look great. I scan at 200 – 300 dpi. However some paper or newsprint causes
these dots! However like old soldiers, old photographs also seem to fade away!
The Elsburg photo is dramatic and part of Germiston’s history.
- Pierre de Wet
Beste Hennie,
Thank you for the latest edition of Ulolwe. It is certainly a bumper edition
and very interesting too.
You mention the fact that the number of readers is very limited. This is
unfortunately a fact which railway publishing in this country is subject to.
We're few in numbers and even though it can be read internationally, railway
interest is mighty parochial. It's only a handful of Brits for instance who
even belong to the sar-L group although hundreds came out for our steam.
But a handful of S Africans too. Many don't even read what is said! And even
less comment. I suppose there are many reasons for this but in the end your
magazine is probably appreciated by many more than you think and in any case
you are providing all with information which would otherwise not see the
light of day. The road of railway preservation/information doesn't run true!
Hou moed!
Pierre
2 What does our experts say? I think so? – HBH.
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- Andre Kritzinger
Dag Hennie,
Dankie vir die artikel oor die SA Lugdiens!
So 'n ekstra ietsie oor die DC4 Skymasters wat so lank militêre diens in die Lugmag
gedoen het. Kyk bietjie hier wat het Sarel Ceronio met haar aangevang voor ons haar vir
die SAL teruggegee het:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrziTee4b2c&feature=youtu.be
Regards,
André Kritzinger, Cape Town
Website: http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/grela/chessie01.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_of_South_Africa
http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=12115
Stop Press
“No more! Stop! You are over a 100 pages!” – A Reader.
Captured at Nigel recently by Hennie Heymans
101
Next Issue
Good bye from
Wesselsbron –
Jacque Wep-
ener.
The next issue of “The Ulolwe” will be Vol 3 No 6 and will be published, DV, sometime
during June 2012 – Please send in your comments, anecdotes and photographs. Walk Tall! &
Take care!
Stuur solank julle stories, briewe, foto’s en feite – Mooi loop!
Pastor JC “Koot” Swanepoel, Joubertina
[email protected] Hennie Heymans – Pretoria, ZA. © 2012