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Transcript of Ulolwe Vol 2 Issue8 rev 3
1
THE ULOLWE
SOUTH AFRICA – SUID-AFRIKA
A monthly railway research / historical publication
‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie
Vol 2 No 8 (Mk 3)
Un-official / Nie Amptelik Everything to do with the
former South African
Railways: i.e. Railway
Stations, Harbours, Airways,
RMT, SAR Police, Armoured
Trains, Lighthouses, Pipelines,
Catering, SAR Models,
Diagrams of Locomotives etc
and books on the Railways in
Southern Africa
Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, South Africa
August 2011
Marseilles in the Free State! [Photo: HBH]
Patron - Les Pivnic - Beskermheer
2
Contents - Inhoud
Welcome ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Editorial .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
History – interpretation ................................................................................................................................. 4
Photographs ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Historic Photographs ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Our Main Story ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Main Story................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Photo No 1 ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Photo No 2 ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Photo No 3 ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Photo No 4 ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Photo No 5 – see photo No 9 ......................................................................................................................... 8
Photo No 6 ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Photo No 7 ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Photo No 8 ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Photo no 9 ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Photo No 5 ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Remembering the Metroblitz - Bruno Martin ................................................................................................... 11
Time-Table ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
6E1 No.1525 ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Japan ............................................................................................................................................................... 12
Australia ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Gautrain ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Wepener’s Perambulations.................................................................................................................................. 18
Carlos Junction ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
Railway History .................................................................................................................................................... 24
- Cape Government Railways ......................................................................................................................... 24
- Natal Government Railways......................................................................................................................... 25
- OVSS ................................................................................................................................................................. 25
- NZASM ............................................................................................................................................................ 25
- Anglo Boer War: The Simms Railcar ........................................................................................................... 25
3
- IMR .................................................................................................................................................................... 26
- CSAR ................................................................................................................................................................. 27
- SAR: Joseph – SA Rail Dec 1984 .................................................................................................................... 27
Photos of 32010 by the old SA Railways Police ................................................................................................. 28
SAR photograph to show the difference in colour – some pictures were taken at night ............................ 29
Stations –Frans du Toit Halt – Ermelo (Old Station ......................................................................................... 29
Ermelo Railway Company - Ermelo Spoorwegmaatschappy ................................................................ 29
Railway People: Mr F Boisson ............................................................................................................................. 31
Book Shelf ............................................................................................................................................................... 32
SAA.......................................................................................................................................................................... 34
SAR Police .............................................................................................................................................................. 34
Railway News & Railway Sites ........................................................................................................................... 34
Jacque Wepener: New Industrial locomotives .......................................................................................... 34
Comments John Middleton .......................................................................................................................... 35
Models ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36
Outside South Africa: .......................................................................................................................................... 38
1. Bulawayo ............................................................................................................................................................ 38
2. India ................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Articles and photographs for publication .......................................................................................................... 41
Purpose of Ulolwe ................................................................................................................................................. 41
Copyright ................................................................................................................................................................ 41
INDEMITY / VRYWARING................................................................................................................................. 41
Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................................. 41
NEXT EDITION ..................................................................................................................................................... 41
Railway Greetings ................................................................................................................................................. 41
4
Welcome
A word of hearty welcome to the August-issue Mk 3 – the gremlins visited and caused
havoc with Mk1 and Mk 2 during an especially busy period. So let’s hope you enjoy this
issue before...
Editorial
History – interpretation
We have a very interesting history in South Africa. It is strange how old photographs bring
the past. Insignificant items in photographs make for interesting history. We may present
the facts objectively, truthfully and in all fairness; however we all have a different
interpretation of same events!
Photographs
One of my mottos is: “A bad photo is better than no photo at all!” Sometimes only a portion
of the photo is of value so never destroy your “bad” photographs. Going through old
photographs it is interesting to note that old photographers concentrated on the traction
and not on the rest of the train!
Historic Photographs
There so many historic photographs tucked away in shoeboxes and in old albums. The
other day I was given old SA Air Force photographs taken “Up North” during WW2.
Really excellent and dramatic stuff – however there is no identification of people, events or
aircraft! It is advisable to get the information while the owner is still alive!
Our Main Story
It is so nice when somebody shares old photographs with us! The other day Wesmè
Hartman contacted us through the internet and she has shared her grandfather’s railway-
photographs with us. Thank you for sharing Wesmè!
Main Story
Wesmè Hartman sent in these beautiful and interesting photographs. She wrote:
Hi,
Ek het onlangs 'n dokument gekry wat jy saamgestel het rondom die spoorweë. Ek het
hierdie foto's van my oupa (Daniel Blom) gekry - hy het ook vir die spoorweë gewerk,
meestal in die Cradock area, en was op 'n stadium ook 'n 'n groot trein ongeluk betrokke.
Die foto's is vir my net so baie spesiaal!
Groete,
5
Wesmè
Hi Hennie,
Aangeheg is 'n powerpoint dokument met al die "trein" foto's wat ek van my oupa het. Ek
vermoed die man wat deurgaans saam met hom is, is 'n ene Faan Bester, sy swaer. Ek het
ook 'n koerantuitknipsel waar die Faan Bester "vereer" word met sy aftrede. My ma is op
Middelburg (Kaap) gebore, en ek weet hulle het op 'n stadium in Rosmead en ook Cradock
gebly, en toe Port Elizabeth. Ek kan ook onthou dat hulle op Beaufort Wes gebly het (ek is
50, as dit vir jou 'n tydlyn kan help gee). Ek dink die meeste van die foto's is maar in die
Cradock area dalk, toe my ma nog jonk was (sy word volgende jaar 80).
Ek het nie die foto's compress nie - wou nie eintlik kwaliteit verloor nie. Hoop nie dit is te
groot nou nie.
Groete, Wesme
Dear Hennie
Royal Trains ran in 1911, 1925 (Prince of Wales), 1934 (Prince George Duke of Kent) and
1947 (British Royal Family). There was another one in 1930 or thereabouts that I would
need to access my papers for details. From memory alone it conveyed the Duke of
Connaught and Princess Alice. It was on this trip in Natal that the Princess rode on 2351 on
the section between Booth and Cato Ridge and with her permission, the loco was named
after her.
The loco in the photo with the crown on the smokebox looks like the 1925 train and a class
10 - I'm not sure.
Regards
Les Pivnic
Andre Kritzinger says: 1. 1286 Klas 1 ex CGR 316.
2. Selle as 1.
3. ?
4. ?
5. Selle as 9. Selle mense, selle klere, selle loko.
6. ?
7. ?44 Kan Klas 6J 644 wees as dit 'n 4-6-0 is. (6A 444 pas ook maar ek twyfel sterk.)
8. ?
9. 3417 25NC
6
Photo No 1
The grandfather of Wesmè is on the right.
Photo No 2
7
Photo No 3
Wesmè says her grandfather is the man in
the centre.
It would appear that the train was on its
way to the inauguration of the
Voortrekker Monument that took place
during 1949. The inauguration ceremony
was attended by nearly 250 000 people.
This gentleman could be Mr Henning
Klopper. More about him later under the
heading Railway People.
8
Photo No 4
Once again the man on the right is her grandfather and the other person is probably his
brother-in-law, Mr Faan Bester.
Photo No 5 – see photo No 9
9
Photo No 6
A Royal Train with her grandfather on the right – date time and place unknown.
Photo No 7
Wesmè can’t see whether her grandfather is on the photo & we can’t see the locomotives
number clearly.
10
Photo No 8
Once again her grandfather is on the right. The chimney was hand-drawn by the
photographer.
Photo no 9
Once again her grandfather is on the right – the other persons are unknown.
11
Photo No 5
Remembering the Metroblitz - Bruno Martin
With the opening of Gautrain from Rosebank to Hatfield, I was prompted to delve into my
‘archives’ to retrieve the newspaper articles I collect all those years ago about the
Metroblitz and other documents relating to South Africa’s experiments with high-speed
traction on the 3 ft 6 in (1065mm) ‘Cape’ gauge.
First, I dug into one of my metal boxes jammed with slides to retrieve and scan the images
taken of the Metroblitz from the overhead footbridge at Sportpark station on 18 January
1984. As a bonus, I even found the special tickets issued for travel on the Metroblitz from
my trips on the 16 & 17 January 1984.
This is the article was published in the RSSA Natal Newsletter No.14, June-July 1984
recording the return trip to Pretoria on the Metroblitz on the inaugural day, Monday 16
January, 1984:
Rail transport in South Africa entered into a new era on Monday, 16 January, 1984, with the
inauguration of the METROBLITZ, the high speed intercity service between Pretoria and
Johannesburg. The Metroblitz is currently operating only once each way on weekdays and
covers the 69 km distance in 42 minutes, travelling at speeds of up 160 km/hour on the
stretches of the line between Kloofsig and Knights. Departure from Pretoria is at 06h45 and
the return trip leaves Johannesburg at 17h10. Prior to the introduction of the Metroblitz, the
12
“Jacaranda Express” completed the journey between the two cities in 55 minutes while the
ordinary “alle stasies” takes roughly 90 minutes.
The train configuration of the Metroblitz is made up of 8 light-weight suburban trailer
coaches and the motive power consists of two class 12E’s, one at either end. The 12E
represents a modified version of a Class 6E1 and develops a starting tractive force of 240
kN. The basic shape of the suburban trailer coach has been retained, however the windows
are oblong and have tainted glass panes. The fully air-conditioned coaches are each fitted
with 60 comfortable aircraft-type seats in a chequered red/grey material and the floor is
covered with plush red carpeting throughout. The livery of the Metroblitz is striking to say
the least – starting with a broad red band, then narrower yellow band below the window
level, thereafter dark grey and followed by a yellow and red band above the windows. The
units have a dipping yellow/red/yellow band in front of the cab. A feature which I found to
be lacking is a streamlined appearance of the train, in particular the fronts of the units
could have done with a little more of an imaginative design.
Nevertheless, the ride at 160 km/h is extremely smooth and quiet with very little jolting
over the points. All station platforms between Fountains and Knights have an
approximately 1,5 m wide “danger zone” painted in yellow along the side of the through
lines and a large notice warning people to stand clear of this zone when trains are passing
through.
According to a SATS public relations officer in Durban, there are no plans to introduce any
faster services in this area. So, if you wish to experience the thrill of travelling at 160 km/h
on the 3 ft 6 in gauge, the ride on the Metroblitz is well worth the single fare of R2,50 (or a
little more from 1 April). Time-Table
Pretoria dep. 06:45, arr. Johannesburg 07:27
Johannesburg dep. 17:10, arr. Pretoria 17:54
Noted at the time: Departure was from Platform 11 in Johannesburg and arrival at Platform
3 in Pretoria. The driver announced that 160 km/h was reached near Birchleigh.
Also recorded was the time of arrival in Pretoria: on 16 January it was 2 minutes later than
the scheduled 42 minutes, the following day the train arrived on time in Pretoria.
6E1 No.1525
Worth noting too is that the test speed of 245km/h was attained on 31 October 1978 by a
modified 3kV electric locomotive (6E1 No.1525) between Midway and Bank.
Japan
Railways in Japan have been successfully operating tilt trains at up to 160km/h on its 3ft 6in
gauge lines since 1992 when Shikokus 8000 EMU’s went into service between Yakamatsu
and Matsuyama.
Australia
Queensland Rail’s electric Tilt Trains have the distinction of holding Australia’s railway
speed record of 210km/h set in 1998; however their operational speed is limited to 160km/h
on sections of the line between Brisbane and Rockhampton.
13
Gautrain
Now, there is Gautrain, the ‘new kid on the block’ taking a different route and operating at
160km/h on a wider gauge, but the memory of hurtling along at 160km/h on a narrow
gauge railway remains quite vivid to this day.
Bruno Martin
14
15
16
17
Bibliography
Pretoria-News
RSSA Natal Newsletter
No.14, June-July 1984
SA Digest: 2-April-1978; pp
19
SA Digest: 2-July-1982; pp 6
SA Journal of Science, Vol 80;
pp 3 – 4;
The Star : 1984-01-19
18
Mr Hansie Sturgeon mentioned above is now employed at Rovos Rail – HBH.
Wepener’s Perambulations
This month we received some striking photographs from Jacque Wepener, here are some of
them:
19
Lennings Rail Services at Tierfontein.
34-119 on its way from Bloemfontein to Kroonstad
20
Both photographs were taken at Drieruiters
21
Both photographs were taken at Virginia
22
Whites, empty car train heading south
Between Friedesheim and Welkom with mielies (maize) from Wesselsbron.
23
Something industrial! (Sheltam)
Carlos Junction
Drakensberg coach type C-31-B; No 8284. Below the same type in old Blue Train colours:
24
Railway History
- Cape Government Railways
Enjoying “High Tea” along the line. On military trains the soldiers were provided with hot
water from the engine for tea – SANA.
25
- Natal Government Railways
Somewhere in Natal during the Anglo-Boer War. The Boers have destroyed bridge and a
temporally bridge was constructed by the Royal Engineers.
- OVSS
-
- NZASM
-
- Anglo Boer War: The Simms Railcar
The Simms railcar is featured in the following books:
• Malmassari, Paul: Les Trains Blindès 1826 – 1989: Editions Heimdal.1989 (French
Edition).
• Van Bart, Marthinus & Scholtz, Dr Leopold: Vir Vryheid en Vir Reg, Tafelberg
Uitgewers, Cape town.
Please enjoy looking at the following:
26
Sketch 1 = ABO 'Simms' - Malmassari
p234. Photo 2 = A-B War 'Simms' -
Malmassari p234.
Photo 3 = ABW 'Simms' - Van
Bart & Scholtz p83.
Photo 4 = ABO 'Simms' -
Malmassari p234.
• More information is wanted on the ‘Simms’ railcar, please.
• Comments: I have a sneaky feeling that the Simms was developed for the British &
Continental broad gauge. Looking at the photographs the railway line looks like a 4 foot 8
and a 1/2 inch.
- IMR
-
27
- CSAR
-
- SAR: Joseph – SA Rail Dec 1984
28
Photos of 32010 by the old SA Railways Police
29
SAR photograph to show the difference in colour – some pictures were taken at night
Stations –Frans du Toit Halt – Ermelo (Old Station)
“Die koms van die spoorweë na Oos-Transvaal was groot stap vorentoe om die gebied oop
te stel en sy handel en ekonomie te bevorder.”
Ermelo Railway Company - Ermelo Spoorwegmaatschappy
“In 1895 is die Pretoria-Lourenco Marques spoorlyn geopen en in Februarie 1899 het die
Ermelo Spoorwegmaatschappy (Ermelo Railway Company) tot stand gekom met die doel
om 'n spoorlyn van Machadodorp na Ermelo en van Ermelo na Springs te bou.
Die uitbreek van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog en 'n gebrek aan samewerking met die Britse
bestuur na die oorlog het die maatskappy se planne gekortwiek. In 1906 is dit gelikwideer.
Die regering het self die bou van die aansluiting van Machadodorp na Ermelo onderneem
en in 1908 was dit voltooi. Reeds in 1906 het die eerste trein Ermelo bereik en die lyn tussen
Ermelo en Breyten is op 13 Maart 1907 amptelik geopen.
In 1911 is die spoorlyn van Ermelo tot by Piet Retief verleng en in 1913 is dit verder tot in
Natal verleng. Die lyn van Ermelo na Lothair is op 1 September 1922 geopen.
Die spoorlyn van Broodsnyersplase oor Ermelo, Piet Retief en Vryheid na Richardsbaai wat
spesiaal vir die uitvoer van steenkool gebou is, is in 1976 voltooi.
30
Op Maandag 19 Januarie 1976 is die vertrek van die eerste trein wat steenkool na
Richardsbaai vervoer, feestelik gevier. Op Ermelo is die spoor amptelik deur die
burgemeester geopen.
'n Nuwe passasierstasie is op die nuwe lyn gebou en ’n nuwe [93] goedereloods word
beplan. Die nuwe stasie het die naam Ermelostasie gekry en die ou Ermelostasie se naam is
na Frans du Toit-halte verander.”
Source: Lombard, Dr RTJ: Ermelo 1880 – 1980, , City Council Ermelo, 1980 p 92 – 93 from a
book Stan Kantor brought under my notice.
31
Railway People: Mr F Boisson
32
Book Shelf
One of our readers, Mr Dave Fortune sent me the above booklet on Triang and Hornby
Models by OS Nock. Thanks Dave. I found the following interesting information in the
booklet; and a picture of model R56 built for South Africa, India, Australia and New
Zealand (p 19):
33
Class ES, a 1200 hp SAR electric shunting locomotive built by AEI – p13. For more
information also see Paxton, L & Bourne, D: Locomotives of the South African Railways
– A Concise Guide, Struik, Cape Town, 1985, ISBN 0 86977 211 2: pages 134 -135.
Loco-headlamp Botrivier Museum - HBH
34
SAA
Johan Jacobs is working on an article.
SAR Police
Does anybody know what happened to the “new” SA Police Service coaches? They were
painted in the SAPS corporate colours. (White and blue)
Railway News & Railway Sites
Jacque Wepener: New Industrial locomotives
Jacque Wepener shared the following photographs with us regarding new Industrial
Locomotives and John Middleton furnished us with his comments:
Jacque
Ek het die 4 lokomotiewe so 2 weke terug na Durbanhawe toe gevat waar hul op skepe
gelaai is; 2 vir die Kongo en 2 vir Dar-es-Salaam.
Hierdie lokomotiewe word nuut gebou by RRL GRINDROD te Pretoria en is gelyk
staande aan TFR se klas 39 maar die dryf kajuit verskil en is baie groot binne. Ek moet sê
hy ry baie lekker en gemaklik en om nie eers te praat van die stop nie!
Ja, as ons maar net 2 van hul kan kry hier in Welkom!
35
Comments John Middleton
Jacque
Many thanks - actually 1105 is heading to Sierra Leone (along with some 19
more which will likely be 1106-24), there are two more for Congo CC1103-04.
They are on different frames, the Congo ones having an 18.5 ton axle load and
the Sierra Leone ones 20 ton. They all have EMD 16-645-E3B engines of 3300 HP.
Regards, John
Jacque
36
Everyone is going to get terribly confused but just so you know there are two sets locos
numbered 1101-04
CC1101-04 are RRL built for Congo CFCO 1101-04 are EMD type GT26 by Gredelj,
Croatia built for Sierra Leone. Gredelj is an NREC licensee. RRL ordered these for
comparison (Riversdale mining has 11 the same for Moatize coal traffic).
1105-24 are RRL built for Sierra Leone.
No idea why RRL numbered like this and didn't come up with something different.
Cheers
John
Models
37
Oom Hennie
Baie dankie vir die advertensie. Ek sal foto’s van die Blou Trein modelle (en ander) stuur
sodra ek weer voorraad inkry.
Hier is so lank ‘n paar.
Wynand Vermeulen
For more information contact: DREAM TRAINS
PO Box 32882
Fichardtpark
9317 SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 83 409 7319
Fax: +27 86 66 99408
Email: [email protected]
38
Outside South Africa:
1. Bulawayo
Dear Hennie
I noticed on sarlist last month that you were appealing for a photo showing a blowdown
facility. Attached shows the one at Bulawayo Steam shed which is still in use on a daily
basis....probably an unsophisticated version compared with RSA but I was unlucky the
day I took the photo as a 15th class Garratt had just pulled away on to its shunting duty,
having stopped to blow down. Would have made a better photo with the Garratt there
and lots of steam!!
Rgds Chas Rickwood, Bulawayo (currently in Kalymnos, a Greek island)
You have been sent 1 picture - IMGP0442.JPG
“Ulolwe”
Ulolwe – means railways in Zulu. Form the English
word railways – phonetic u-lol-wê
2. India
39
Guinness Book of Records?
40
Our SAR-RMT could also transport circus elephants, however this appears to be
dangerous! Below: Anyone for a cup of tea?
41
Articles and photographs for publication
Please send articles in word.doc, we use Palatino Linotype 11 and all photographs in jpeg
please.
Purpose of Ulolwe
The purpose of Ulolwe is to play a part in the conservation of our Railway Heritage.
Anybody is free to use articles and photograph by Hennie Heymans (HBH) of “Ulolwe”
please use with recognition to “Ulolwe”.
Copyright
Please respect the copyright of our contributors.
INDEMITY / VRYWARING
Die Ulolwe bevat die uiteenlopende en diverse persoonlike menings van verskillende
korrespondente en die opsteller van Ulolwe kan nie vir enige deel van die inhoud daarvan in sy
persoonlike hoedanigheid verantwoordelik gehou word nie.
The Ulolwe contains various and sundry personal opinions of different correspondents and the
compiler of Ulolwe cannot be held responsible for any of their comments.
Enige advertensies of enige sake voortspruitend is tussen u en die ander party.
Conclusion
There are some interesting subjects in the pipeline – an article by Dr Loubser and Lourens
Sturgeon will show us how to build our own SAR models. Rudi Venter was on a service
train delivering railway tracks along the line – this will feature next month. How about
some “snow” pictures of our railways? [Looking at the Indian stewards serving from the
outside, one is reminded that in South Africa passengers were served through the roof.]
NEXT EDITION
DV middle of Sept 2011.
Railway Greetings
Walk Tall and take care out there!
Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA.