RAILWAYS GAZETTE SOUTH AFRICA

SPOORWEGNUUSBLAD - SUID-AFRIKA
Everything to do with the former
South African Railways & Transnet;
i.e. Railway Stations, Harbours,
Airways, Road Motor Transport,
SAR Police, Lighthouses, Pipelines,
Catering, SAR Models, Diagrams of
Locomotives and Rolling Stock and
books on the Railways in S Africa

Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, South Africa - heymanshb@gmail.com January 2011

Vol 2 No 1

The Shunter from Machiel Boshoff

Contents/ Inhoud
The Wartime Friday Special .................................................................................................................... 3
Some Railway Shields .............................................................................................................................. 8
Some World War Two Railway Humour ................................................................................................. 8
1946: The Boys Book of South African Engines - Francis H Sibson ......................................................... 9
Some Pictures and scans from the: The Boys Book of South African Engines - Francis H Sibson ......... 10
1947: SAR Catering Division .................................................................................................................. 14
Bricor Olifantsfontein Class A of the Natal Government Railways ....................................................... 23
Diagram: SAR Class A Locomotive Lourens Sturgeon ..................................................................... 25
Diagram of SAR Class A HBH ........................................................................................................... 25
Some Old SAR Adverts .......................................................................................................................... 26
SAR Dwarsvlei ....................................................................................................................................... 28
Bosveld Train Safaris: Crayfish Cocktail a la Boon! ............................................................................. 28
1939: Stop that Train! ........................................................................................................................... 29
Lighthouses in Durban .......................................................................................................................... 31
Anglo-Boer War Hospital Trains............................................................................................................ 36
1906: Natal Government Railways: Old Durban Railway Station ...................................................... 37
1947: SAR Cedarville ............................................................................................................................. 38
1938: Obstructions on Railway Lines Instructions to SA Police ......................................................... 39
Troepetreine: Johan Jacobs .................................................................................................................. 39
Theuns van Wyk: Southern Train Tours ................................................................................................ 42
Patons Country Railway ........................................................................................................................ 43
THE BIG AND THE SMALL 2 DAY GREAT GARRATT TOUR ..................................................................... 43
Rudi Venter: Spookstories .................................................................................................................... 45
Sannaspos - Rudi Venter ................................................................................................................... 45
Noupoort se Boek-off-kamers ....................................................................................................... 47
VLJ-11 & VLJ-12: Christo Kleingeld ........................................................................................................ 50
Sightings: J & J Wepener of Welkom .................................................................................................... 54
Greetings! ............................................................................................................................................. 58

The Wartime Friday Special

A FOUR HOUR SIXTY MILE JOURNEY

By WO II RS Toms and illustrated by F. H. Sibson The Nongqai 194603321
No cheering cries of farewell break the sultry silence when the green flag signals the
train away from Zonderwater station each Friday afternoon at 5 pm. Well known are
the "Friday Specials" by many-if not most of our gallant ex-Servicemen.
Take your mind back to those days, dear Reader.
Do you remember them? Ah! Of course! How can one ever forget the fifty-hundred,thousand trips made on the Friday Special!

Again we are back in Zonderwater's

vast, expansive, bleak, scattered camp.
Friday has arrived and we've won the
battle for a hard-earned week-end pass.
Our agitated minds prompt us quietly
and unobtrusively to fade out of camp
and head for the station as soon after 4
pm as possible. The train is there. Yes! So is the inevitable queue at the old tin
hut where the tickets are sold.
Sometimes we barely had the train fare
(2nd class), sometimes we had money
to burn.
The heat beats down on the long ash platform and we perspire as we lug our
suitcase, haversack or pack, searching for an empty seat. We dump our kit and
automatically head for the ice-cream man who's on the spot as usual and never lets
us down. Still we have half-an-hour to spare while we sit thirstily in the humid heat
of the coach. The tall blue gum trees on the right and the Vehicle Reception Park
with its unchanging graveyard of trucks is the only scenery which greets our bored
eyes.
The coach fills rapidly and conversation becomes general. Curses and grumbles of
everyday parades, the RSM, the food, the weather and the whole army from the
bottom to the top are predominant topics. At five minutes past five the train
whistles, and with a jerk mingled with the squeaks of the woodwork of the ancient
coaches, the train crawls out of this famous station.
It hardly gathers speed before the grinding brakes drag it to a halt at the Black Cat.
There is no platform here, but the close proximity of the road is more or less an
indication where the driver is supposed to stop.
Again we are off, and the piercing whistles of the engine punctuate conversation as
we cross two main roads and glide into Cullinan.
The station is packed as usual, and the hurried scramble of more would-be weekenders fills the coaches to capacity. The packed masses of humanity sort themselves
out along the corridors, on top of the seats, sprawl on the floor, swear, curse, laugh
and wonder why they ever joined the army.
A couple of hard-boiled drunks invariably board the train and squeeze into a half
vacant seat. " .. itsh blooming 'ot in 'ere!" he quavers to no one in particular.

Give ush a drink, chum!" mumbles his mate. The first speaker glares malevolently
at his friend, then before he can reply bursts into song: "Roll out the barrel, roll out
the barrel of fun. . . ".

The two endeavour to sing but their thick voices trail off halfway, and they stare
sullenly about them. Usually at 5.25 pm the train moves off again, climbs tortuously
over the first hill and halts puffing at Montrose.
We're off again, to stop at Balloon. One or two Africans get on here and the train
continues its journey.
Many of us have held our breath in the few anxious moments while we negotiate
that dangerous" S bend outside Rayton. We stop at Rayton to allow an empty train
to cross.
Though evening is drawing on the atmosphere is close, and many doze off while
others chat, play cards or sit in silence and look bored.
The rhythmic click of the wheels as we start once again is an antidote to our
uncomfortable semi-doze; and we open our tired eyes to gaze blandly at the familiar
landscape surrounding Pienaarspoort. Ah! Sweet mysteries of veld, bush and scrub,
how much longer are we going to halt here? A goods train rattles by, but still we
don't move. Another ten minutes pass and we unexpectedly jerk off-gathering
speed-now going faster and steadier, and we sink back into slumber.
A yell penetrates our foggy brain in what might be described as musical form: "AhMa-Ma-You're the one for me. . . !"
With a start we awake and peer out of the window to see several native 'urchins
5

with coal and boot-brown faces. "Penny-Me-Mister!" yells the faces.

"No!" shouts some awakened and indignant occupant of the coach.
"Penny-Me- Mister, Oh-Ma-Ma Penny-Me- Mister, You're the one for me...!" yell the
super-harmonious voices.
"Roll out the Barrel. .!" yells one of the drunks.
This disturbing element arouses us and shatters further thoughts of dozing. Our
necks are stiff, our mouths are dry, our limbs are cramped-and we're half way to
Pretoria.
Eerste Fabrieke, that ancient and historical spot, necessitates a long halt. Whether it
is to give the labouring engine a rest or to give the fireman a respite in his continual
shovelling, is unknown-but perhaps it is to allow another empty passenger train to
pass.
With Silverton in sight and thoughts near home, we again endeavour to engage in
amicable conversation regardless of the drunk fellow opposite who gazes bleakly at
us.
The twinkling lights, in the dusk, rush by as our special passes the numerous sidings
and nears the capital.
As we draw nearer to the station the human cargo gets restless. It shuffles and
edges-usually towards the engine. The secret? It's easy! One doesn't have so far to
walk up the platform. The two drunks get up and shove their way up the coach
amidst indignant protests from the docile passengers.
Before the train finally draws to a stop it begins belching forth its passengers soldiers, civvies and Africans.
The buzzing talk of hurrying people mingles with the hissing steam of engines and
the perpetual hum of electric coaches as humanity swarms towards the entrance and
buses.
Five minutes to go and returning soldiers with packets of sandwiches, buns, fruit
and bulging jaws are evidence of the sandwich rush on the poky station tea room.
The two drunks have stimulated their fuzzy brains in the bar and return with an
unsteady gait, sing loudly. They have difficulty in finding their original seats and as
they pass we overhear their conversation.

Ish thish Friday Special?

No! What-sh his name?"
I dunno, never 'eard of 'im!"
Mush be our train. . . !"
The modern electric train swoops off and
glides gracefully through the night past
green and red lights. The rush of cool air
refreshes our weary minds, and we are
almost ready to crack a joke or two now
that we are free of dust and grime.
Little need be written here of this latter
stage of our journey as it is too wellknown, and time soon passes as we enter
Germiston. Here we while away the time
by gazing enviously at the 9 p.m. Durban
train or watch the shunting opposite.

Once again over the well-worn tracks passing through Denver and Tooronga, with
the shattering echo of the c1ickity-c1ack against the corrugated fences of warehouses
reminding us that our "Special" has almost reached its destination.
At last we glide gently into Johannesburg station and our journey has ended. The
time? Almost 9.20 pm (if we're lucky). The two drunks, by alcoholic magnetism,
make a bee-line for the pub - so do many more of us. Others are anxious to catch
trams and buses, and in a short time our "Special" stands forlorn, rid of all its
passengers.
Will you forget those trips, Soldier? And will you ever forget the return journey back
to that bleak and far-distant camp on the Sunday night? The rainy, windy night? The
cold and miserable night? The rush to catch that 8.36 "Special"- Ah! sweet memories
of army life and journeys with "Friday Specials".
There is one case that springs to mind when the Ossewabrandwag wanted to
sabotage a troop train as well as the line. More about this incident at a later
date.

Some Railway Shields

(SAR badge: Robert Wilson)

Some World War Two Railway Humour

1946: The Boys Book of South African Engines - Francis H Sibson

Nongqai: June 1946

9

Some Pictures and scans from the: The Boys Book of South African
Engines - Francis H Sibson
Reading the old Nongqais1 The Forces Magazine of the South Africa I have
noticed many fine railway illustrations by Francis H Sibson, a LieutenantCommander in the Navy. While looking at his sketches I made the deduction that
he liked trains.
Many years ago a copy of the above mentioned book was given to me. The only date
in the book is that of the author 1946. During 1946 this book is discussed The
Nongqai June 1946 65 years ago!
Here are some scans from the above book:

1 The Nongqai was the Regimental Magazine of the Natal Police, and the magazine was established
during 1907. During 1914 it became the SA Forces Magazine during 1914 and later the SA Police
magazine. Today it is known as Servamus it has been published continuously from 1907, making it
one of the oldest magazines in South Africa. The Natal Government Railways Magazine was also a
very good magazine and it was absorbed into the South African Railways Magazine Natal although
a small Colony was a progressive colony.

10

11

12

15F taking Water

13

Class 1 & Class 1A

1947: SAR Catering Division

14

15

16

17

18

19

Obverse side of Menu:

My old friend Prof GC Olivier was a SAR steward in his young days when he was a
university student. He has given me his collection of menus and a wine list. These
documents from 1947 make interesting reading. (I dont have complete photograph of the
Dining Saloon KOWIE.) I will be binding these menus in a book to be kept for the next
generation! HH.

20

Christmas 1947

21

New Years Day 1948

22

Bricor Olifantsfontein Class A of the Natal Government Railways

23

Willie the Manager at Brikor

Note the interesting cowcatcher!

All photos by Hennie Heymans

24

Diagram: SAR Class A Locomotive Lourens Sturgeon

Diagram of SAR Class A HBH

25

Some Old SAR Adverts

Nongqai February 1942

26

Lawrence Green loved trains!

(Filler)

27

SAR Dwarsvlei

Dwarsvlei - Louis Lubbe

Bosveld Train Safaris: Crayfish Cocktail a la Boon!

A Cape passenger brought Boon a few

Boon loves sea food and started to prepare

frozen crayfish.

the crayfish in the Lounge Car.

28

Piet, the Cook, looks on!

The Train Manager looks on!

Anyway, it was far from the sea, it tasted

delicious!

1939: Stop that Train!

Swansea Dock, Wales

29

Nongqai 193903291

Namibi: Ariamsvlei met sononder 20040321 HB Heymans

30

Lighthouses in Durban
Dana Kruger from Durban sent in the following photographs of Lighthouses2 in the Durban
Metropolitan area. From south to north the lighthouses are situated at Brighton Beach,
Marine Drive, View Site Bluff and Umhlanga Rocks on the North Coast.

Bluff Lighthouse

Bluff Lighthouse
2

Lighthouses used to fall under the ambit of the SAR.

31

Bluff Lighthouse

32

Bluff Lighthouse

(Filler)

33

Bluff Lighthouse

34

Bluff Lighthouse

New Bluff Lighthouse

35

Lighthouse Marine Drive, Brighton Beach

Umhlanga Rocks

Anglo-Boer War Hospital Trains

Caption: Part of the seven
coach Princess Christian
Hospital Train which was
built in 1898 for service in
the Boer War. This was the
worlds first hospital train
which was regretfully shortlived as it was destroyed by
the Boers. More information on this incident is
welcome.

Sent

in

by

Carlos Vieira.

36

Sent in by Carlos Vieira.

1906: Natal Government Railways: Old Durban Railway Station

NGR Magazine 190604245

37

NGR Magazine June 1906

Before the railway line on the Victoria Embankment was built, a line went through the
station more or less along Point Rd to the Point area and the Durban Harbour. (I have found
an old Durban street map.) The Durban SAR workshops were behind the station HH.

1947: SAR Cedarville

Why a picture of SAR
Cedarville on the
Kokstad-line?
My
Mother was born there
during 1920 on the
farm Cedarberg just
outside
Cedarville.
She matriculated at
Matatiele, the next
town down (up?) the
line, which was a bit
bigger than Cedarville! She told me the
first time she had ice
cream was in the
Dining Car on the
train from Cedarville
to Durban, when my

38

Grandfather went there to buy a new car. The photographer, H Martins, is Rev Harper Martins, the
first SA Police chaplain. His pictures also featured in The Nongqai as his pastoral duties took him all
over the Union HH. SAR Magazine; 194702171.

1938: Obstructions on Railway Lines Instructions to SA Police

The purpose of quoting the above 1938 Force Order is to show the integrated approach by
the SA Railways and the SA Police to enforce safety on the railway lines.

Troepetreine: Johan Jacobs

Verskeie lesers van hierdie Spoorweg Gasette wat diensplig in die vroer jare
gedoen het sal nog onthou van die troepetreine wat hulle gehaal het na hulle
verskeie opleidingsbasisse en ook na die Bosoorlog in SWA/Namibi. Daar is ook
nog die talle spoorwegwerkers wat op troepetreine gewerk het. Al was dit militre
treine was die dienste puik en uiters professioneel!
Ek onthou ook nog goed my troep trein wat ek in 1972 vanaf Johannesburg na
Kaapstad gehaal het vir my diensplig in die SuidAfrikaanse Vloot. Ons het die aand om 9-uur
vanaf platform 16 vertrek, al die jong
dienspligtiges moes eers by so n groot fris man
aanmeld met sy swart uniform, geel kentekens en
swart kamaste om sy enkels, hy was n kolossale
toonbeeld van militarisme. Ek het nogal vir hom
geskrik en besef dat ek nou in die militr in
gemarsjeer het en dat dit nie meer die soldate in
my boeke en die plastiese soldaatjies in my kamer
was nie, maar die real McCoy. Hierdie fris man
was n bootsman (sersant) en n senior instrukteur. Die vloekwoorde het ook oor sy mond gerol
soos n wafferse matroos en al ons rowe is met
vloekwoorde begroet, wat ek nie liewers hier sal
noem nie. Ek het hom later beter leer ken toe ek
by die staande mag aangesluit het en ook n instrukteur geword het.
39

Maar ek wil eintlik praat oor die vele troepetreine wat ek vanaf 1978 tot 1980 as
senior instrukteur begelei het. Jong seuns wat vanaf Johannesburg na Kimberley en
Kaapstad gereis het, het by die destydse Milnerton-skouterrein in Johannesburg
byeen gekom. Die trein is daar gehaal na hulle opleidingsbasisse. Die ler en vloot
dienspligtiges het gesamentlik een troep trein gehaal en die trein was ten minste 1418 passasiers waens lank. Die ler en vloot is elk vir hulle eie dienspligtiges
verantwoordelik gewees en die troepe vir Kimberley, die lugafweerregiment in
Kaapstad en vloot was almal in hulle eie rytuie afgesonder. Die rytuie tussen die
verskillende eenhede is vir sekuriteit doeleindes ook gesluit.
Vir die jong seuns en di se meisies, asook vir die ouers, was dit n skrikwekkende
gesig om al die spoorwegpolisiemanne, soldate en matrose in battle dress met R1
en later met R4 gewere te sien. Oral het senior onderoffisiere rond beweeg en bevele
is kort-kort uit gebulder. Die militre polisie was ook daar met honde wat bagasie
vir dwelms en drank deur gesoek het. Van die moeders het dadelik begin besef
Boetie gaan Border toe en trane is hier en daar afgevee. Dit was vir ons as
instrukteurs n genotvolle dag om al die senuweeagtige aspirant troepe tussen hulle
families en nooientjies te sien, van die seuns het soos skaapmis aan n wolkombers,
aan hulle meisies geklou tot op die laaste minuut. Van die seuns was ook
opgewonde omdat dit hulle eerste treinrit was, andere het weer moedig voorgekom
en probeer grootmeneer te speel. Ons het sulke outjies gou raakgesien en gemerk
want later op reis sou ons hulle inbreek en uitsorteer voor die ander ouens. Wat
hierdie grootmenere nie besef het nie, is dat hulle afbreek van civvie lewe reeds op
n trein begin het.
Nadat die bevel gegee is om die familie te groet, is die seuns binne die laaiterrein
ontplooi en is die hekke gesluit. Met die nodige inspeksies en papierwerk
afgehandel, is die rytuie bestyg terwyl die polisiemanne, matrose en soldate n
kordon weerskante van die trein gevorm het. Niemand kon nou uit die trein spring
sonder om gesien te word nie. As die begeleidingsoffisier tevrede was, het die trein
vertrek.
Die troepetrein was n sneltrein wat net op die belangrikste groot stasies gestop het
sodat dienspligtiges dit kon bestyg, die trein het ook nie op die Soweto lyn beweeg
nie, maar oor die Krugersdorp-lyn en dit het baie vinnig gery. By elke stasie waar
daar gestop is, het die begeleidingstroepe weerskante van die trein uitgespring en is
n kordon om die trein gevorm as stopper linies teen moontlike ontsnappings en
aanvalle. Die treine het ook net op die stasies gestop waar dienspligtiges op of by
basisse afgelaai is. Ek het ook verstaan dat die Spoorweg selfs ander sneltreine
vertraag het vir troepetreine.

40

Die junior en senior instrukteurs het van kompartement tot kompartement beweeg
en hulle inwydings rituele uitgevoer en veral op die grootmenere gefokus, dit was
groot pret om die angs op die jong seuns se gesigte waar te neem. Die tawwe ouens
is gou ingebreek met die slegste ondenkbare woorde en sinne. Die familie en girls is
soms ook ingesleep. Ek onthou hoe een van my baasseemanne (korporaal) aan n
troepie ges het dat ek sy Ma, sy Pa en sy tannie is. Die outjie was baie om gekrap
daaroor.
In die vroer 1980s het die aanslae vanaf die ANC/PAC al erger begin word en het
die intelligensie instansies verneem dat di dalk die troepetreine gaan opblaas. Die
Spoorwegpolisie het met n afsonderlike elektriese eenheid so 500 meter voor die
troepetrein gery om enige plofstof wat op die spoor mag wees, af te trap en ook om
die trein te beveilig. Daar was so gemiddeld vyf polisielede in een van hierdie
elektriese eenhede en andere in die passasierswaens. Die Spoorwegpolisie het nogal
wild gelyk met hulle kamoefleer drag, wapens en webbing om die lywe, ons het
graag na hulle verwys as Rambos alhoewel ons self ook maar rof gelyk het met ons
eie gevegsmondering. Soms is daar ook n oop trok met sandsakke wat voor aan die
elektriese eenheid gekoppel is, gery. Die begeleiding van die troepetreine was ook
dan meer intens en konflik georinteerd om aanvalle die hoof te bied.
So het ons eendag op Potchefstroom se stasie met die trein inbeweeg om
dienspligtiges op te laai. Die voorste eenheid het eerste langs die platform in gejaag
waarna die polisielede uit gespring en op die platform stelling ingeneem het, gevolg
deur die troepetrein waaruit ook n klomp matrose, soldate en polisielede uitspring
en stelling rondom die trein inneem het. Op die platform het n dienspligte by sy
familie gestaan waaronder sy ouma ook was toe al hierdie dinge voor hulle afspeel net soos n regte Rambo -fliek. Dit was teveel vir die ouma en sy het uitgeroep: Ag
my kind, my kind, en flou geval. Die arme outjie was so verbouereerd, maar moes
net eenvoudig die trein bestyg terwyl sy ouers vir ouma probeer lawe. Daar is darem
later per radio laat weet dat ouma herstel het en wel was, die troepie was baie verlig
hieroor.
Behalwe die troepetreine het ek ook dikwels as begeleier saam met vlootmanskappe
wat kampe moes bywoon vanaf Johannesburg per trein gereis na Kaapstad en
Durban. n Aantal passasierswaens is agter die Trans-Karoo- en TransNatalsneltreine aangehaak en drank kon vrylik bekom word. Die begeleidende
offisiere- en senior onderoffisiere het n moeilike tyd met die kampers gehad as
gevolg van hulle onbehoorlike gedrag op hierdi treine. Van die vroulike passasiers
is ook lastig geval. Van die vernaamste items in die kompartemente wat verniel was,
was die groen kameeldrol kussings. Hierdie item is dikwels deur die vensters na
ander mense gegooi.

41

Die spoorweg het miljoen rande se skade gely as gevolg van skade aan passasiers
waens deur lede van die weermag en was later nie meer genoe om die weermag
lede in groepe te vervoer nie. Ek was later ook deel van n weermag- ondersoekspan
wat die vloot verteenwoordig het, om ondersoek in te stel ten einde alternatiewe
vervoer middels daar te stel.
Die passasiers- en vragtreine het n belangrike rol in Suid-Afrika se konflik
geskiedenis gespeel en het ek maar net n stukkie uit my militre ondervinding hier
vas gepen. Ek het ook groot waardering vir die SA Spoorwe wat so baie
dienspligtiges en kampers met professionele diens oor jare na hulle
opleidingsbasisse en ook na die grensoorlog vervoer het.
Ek salueer die SA Spoorweg!
JohanJ 08/01/11

Baie dankie Johan Jacobs dis nogal belangrike historiese gegewens wat jy vir ons
gegee het! Ek kan slegs een geval onthou waar die spoorlyn opgeblaas is voor die
Trans-Natal. Die trein is met n spoed daaroor sonder om te ontspoor. Die SAS & H
Polisie het n uitmuntende taak vervul om die ganse spoorwe se belange en
infrastruktuur te beskerm, hier en waar dit buite ons grense nodig was HH.

Theuns van Wyk: Southern Train Tours

Good Afternoon everyone,
Just some feedback: the South Coast new years eve train arranged by Southern train
tours in conjunction with Reefsteamers was a major success! The train was booked to
full capacity and fun was had by everyone at the Scottburg siding. Most importantly
was the fact that we generated so many responses from the general public, which
means that there is a HUGE market HUNGRY to travel by train, and more so make
use of tailor made packages! Transnet was on the ball, and especially the Durban
Transnet staff was extremely helpful and pleased to see a tourist train. A huge bonus
was that we could slow down at the beautiful waterfalls along the way for picture
opportunities.
We arrived back in Germiston yesterday on time and incident free! We will be
planning plenty of these tours in 2011 with the assistance of Transnet Freight Rail
and Reefsteamers - we will keep you posted.
Rail Regards,
Theunis Van Wyk and Emile Wehmeyer - Southern Train Tours.

42

P.s you can visit our Facebook page; we will upload pictures within the next few
days.

Sandy sent the badge of the NGR Guard.

Patons Country Railway

THE BIG AND THE SMALL 2 DAY GREAT GARRATT TOUR

Unique opportunity on the Ixopo Madnonella and Cape Natal lines.

Featuring NGG11 no 55 and GMAM 4074.
Mid to end January 2010:
Contact Patons Country Railway on: kznrail@futurenet.co.za for more
information.
(See more photographs below.)

43

GMAM 4074

44

NGG11 no 55
Photographer unknown Photos were supplied by Patons Country Railway

Rudi Venter: Spookstories

Hier is 'n paar stories oor spoke op bekende stasies en dorpe waar spoorlyne is.

Sannaspos - Rudi Venter

Sannaspos het geskiedenis terug tot die Anglo-Boereoorlog toe generaal De Wet die
waterwerke aangeval het om Bloemfontein se water toevoer af te sny. Baie Engelse
soldate het gesterf met die aanval en is in Bloemfontein se ou begraafplaas skuins
regoor die ou fort begrawe. (Bo in Kerkstraat in Bloemfontein).
Volgens geskiedenis het baie aan hul wonde op die stasie gesterf op wag vir 'n trein
vanaf Bloemfontein. Die Boere se aanval het hul skielik getref en sommige Engelse
kon nie betyds die wapen opneem om terug te baklei nie. Op die stasie was 'n klein
wagkamer waar verskeie soldate gel het en gesterf het. Die lyke is in die ou
koelkamer gehou totdat die trein na Bloemfontein hul kon verwyder.
Hier het volgens baie ou treindrywers en kondukteurs sommige Engelse siele nooit
rus gevind nie. Sannaspos het vanaf 1911 'n aansluiting geword met die lyn na
Betlehem en Dewetsdorp (Aliwal Noord) en baie treine moes hier kruis en wag vir
45

aansluitings vanaf die een of die ander lyn. So was daar water "collums" en aspitte
op die stasie om die stoom lokomotiewe te diens.
Baie personeel het verkies om liewers deur te hardloop met hul treine as om op
Sannaspos te kruis, of water te neem, of vuur skoon te maak in die nag. n Paar
drywers het my al vertel dat daar mense "verlore siele" in die nag rondloop op die
stasie. Een van die ou drywers, Izak Gelderblom, het self aan my getuig dat terwyl
die personeel water neem of vuur skoonmaak, dat onverklaar bare dinge met hul
gebeur en ek het soms groot gunste vir hom gedoen deur als self te doen vir hom
omdat hy weier om af te klim op Sannaspos stasie.
Die water "collum sal vanself toedraai en dat terwyl die drywer die enjin ghries sal
sy fakkellamp deur iemand doodgeblaas word. Sommige stokers moes in die nag
loop om die stasie voormanne wakker te maak in die nag en vanaf die huissinjaal
was 'n goeie 800 meter wat hul moes loop om by die seinhuis te kom en het altyd die
gevoel gekry dat iemand saam hulle loop. Ek self het net tot by die wissels geloop en
het dan die sinjaalkabels saam in albei my hande saamgevat en 'n meter in die lug
opgetel en dan skielik gelos dat die spanning dit vinnig grond toe trek, dit het 'n
helse klank onder die sinjaal raam gemaak want al die kabels was aan kettings vas
waaraan die kabels verbind was. Sommige blikskottels het nie wakker geword
hiermee nie en ek moes maar self loop om die voorman wakker te maak.
Die probleem met Sannaspos was dat daar geen elektrisiteit was nie en dat alles met
paraffien lampe gewerk het, die stasie het eers in 1993 elektriese krag gekry. So in
die nag was dit 'n baie donker plek, aan beide kante van die stasies was ou groot
populier bome en het op 'n volmaannag het dit groot skaduwees gemaak oor die
stasie en het groot bygedra aan die feit dat die stasie spookagtig was. TBA's (stasie
voormanne) het ook nie lank op Sannaspos gehou nie want sommige het rrig
daaraan geglo dat die plek spook.
Die stasiegebou het staal plate voor die seinhuis gehad, waar al die sinjaal kabels
bymekaar kom, voor dit onder die gebou, na die hoofraam geloop het. Die kabels het
geen platform gehad waaronder die kabels geloop het nie het nie. Die deur het 'n sif
deur voor die hoofdeur gehad. Indien enige iemand in die gebou inloop moes hy oor
die staal plate loop. Die oopmaak van die sifdeur het als 'n lawaai maak. So as die
deur oopgaan, sonder 'n geluid van die staal plate wat raas, het die stasievoorman
die hasepad agter die gebou uitgevat. Sommige gevalle was dit maar net
treinpersoneel wat probeer het om die slapende TBA skrik te maak.
Ek self het in die nag my nerwe oor die kabels, wat kruis en dwars onder die lyne
loop, afgeval en het self soms geglo die plek is nie reg nie! Ek glo nie aan spoke nie,
maar Sannaspos is 'n uitsondering!
Sommige stories oor die plek is volgens my waar en sommige is maar treinpersoneel
en TBA'S wat met mekaar gekskeer. Die ou wagkamer was na 1990 omskep in 'n
klein museum met kaarte en prente van die Engelse- en Boere leiers. Treine loop nie
46

meer oor die taklyn na Aliwal Noord nie en daar's geen voormanne meer op
Sannaspos om treine te laat kruis nie. Die semafoor sinjale het tot onlangs nog plat
langs die lyne gel en vandag is die plek verlate!

Sannaspos Google Earth

Noupoort se Boek-off-kamers
Noupoort was ook 'n klein dorpie, maar belangrike en besige aansluiting op die ou
spoorwe met die lyne vanaf De Aar, Bloemfontein (oor Colesberg) en Cradock
vanaf Port Elizabeth wat almal by Noupoort stasie aansluit. So, baie personeel van
Bloemfontein moes op Noupoort oorslaap en wag vir treine vanaf Port Elizabeth.
Die ou barracks of boek-off-gebou was maar vanaf die 1940's deur baie personeel
gebruik om te rus en dan treine terug te neem na Bloemfontein.
Met passasierstreine was daar tot ses manne wat moes afboek: drywer, stoker,
kondukteur en soms 3 kaartjies knippers. Die plek het 30 kamers, met 'n groot
kombuis en 'n kleurling skoonmaker gehad. Die spook was hier tot een kamer
beperk.
Ek self het een nag deurgeloop met 'n geval waar ek na 'n skof van 14 ure nie
omgegee watter kamer ek neem nie. Ek wou net gaan slaap! Ek het nie eens vir
myself kos gemaak nie. Wat gevoel het soos 'n nag in bed en wat maar eindelik 5 ure
was, is ek deur 'n roepman wakker gemaak wat my ingelig het dat ek binne 90
minute aandiens moet wees. Deur-die-blare het ek opgestaan, aangetrek en kombuis
47

toe gegaan om gou iets te maak om te eet - voor die kombi wat ons kom haal,
arriveer. Ons word dan vanaf die boek-off-plek na Midlandia depot geneem om
diesels te kry en dan 'n trein na Bloemfontein terug moet neem. Na wat soos 'n uur
voel, het personeel wat van diens kom, ingekom.
Omdat my drywer nog nie wakker was nie, het ek nie eers opgestaan waar ek gesit
het nie, om na die kombi se kant toe te gaan nie. Ek en die treinassistent het aan die
praat geraak en hy het my gevra of ek net voor hul afgeteken het.
"Nee, hoekom?" vra ek toe.
Waarop hy my meedeel dat daar eers oor 5 ure 'n trein vanaf Cradock deurkom vir
die volgende aandiens personeel. Stadig het dit begin insink dat iets nie pluis is nie.
Die kondukteur wat saam met die personeel gekom het, verneem of my kamer nog
beskikbaar is, want al die ander was vol. Toe ek hom s dat ek het in kamer 13 slaap
het hy dit van die hand gewys.
Die assistent het begin lag en sy drywer het my skielik gevra wie het my wakker
gemaak het, waarop ek hom s dat die ou roepman, met die swart uniform, my
geroep het.
"Boetie, dis die Noupoort se spook daai!"
Ek het skielik verlang na die huis en het gewens ek het 'n ander job. Die legende lui
dat in die 1950's is 'n roepman in die stofpad voor die barracks van sy fiets afgery
deur 'n dronk drywer. Die roepman het op die stoep van die gebou gesterf. Sy gees
spook nog in die laaste uur van sy lewe elke wintersnag in Junie, elke jaar op die
dieselfde tyd as sy ongeluk!
Die spook vang al vir jare personeel wat in kamer 13 in die winter slaap. As 'n jong
assistent het ek nie geweet van die spook nie. Of dit rrig 'n spook was of 'n droom
kan ek nie bepaal nie want in 1990 is die book-offs na Noupoort gestop en die ou
gebou is gesloop.
Net sy ou vloere l nog langs die pad naby die ou Hostel wat omskep is in 'n
rehabilitasie sentrum vir dwelmverslaafdes. Van die Midlandia-depot is daar niks
nie want als is vandag in Noupoort verlate - met ou spoorweghuisies en le spore.
Dit lyk nou soos 'n spook dorp!

48

Noupoort Google Earth

n Pragtige foto wat Rudi Vente op Facebook gelaai het:

Klas 7E

49

VLJ-11 & VLJ-12: Christo Kleingeld

50

51

All photos by Christo Kleingeld

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53

Sightings: J & J Wepener of Welkom

Hi all.
Our sightings for the last couple of weeks.
We found the Spoorbaan busy on the line close to Virginia. Later we learnt that the Welgelee
substation between Welgelee and Virginia was flooded over the weekend and resulted in a closure of
the line. Normal running only started again on Monday afternoon.
Close to Cronnell we got the empty northbound petrol train behind two orange 6E's, E 1262 & E xxxx,
greetings from the crew. We followed this train to Hennenman.
Blue 34 499 came in from Wesselsbron with a load of Mielies and Ammonia tankers, this was between
Friedesheim and Welkom, greetings from the crew. At the same spot we got RRL 33 02 heading a load
of hoppers towards Friedesheim. It is a pleasure to see this loco in our area...
Sheltam and Harmony Surface Rail were seen as usual.
Firstly we heard from our connections at both Shosholoza Meyl and Transnet that no Christmas
holiday specials were run. The only extra trains were run on Saturday when they usually do not run,
also some trains ran on "unscheduled" days, that's all.
At Hennenman the Northbound car train was waiting at the signals behind orange and maroon 6E's.
About five minutes later we caught another Northbound movement between Whites and
Hennenman, this was two light 6E's, also orange and maroon. We think these locos combined with
the car train to make one movement to Kroonstad as we have seen this happen before.
We got the TFR guys busy with maintenance at Welgelee. Here we saw a Southbound container train
behind orange E 1343 OFS and orange E xxxx. At Virginia and Hennenman we noticed passengers on

54

the platform - a dead giveaway of an approaching passenger train. Operating informed us this was
the Johannesburg bound Amatola running 6.5 hours late at least the train was packed. Upfront was
orange E 1432, hoots from the crew. From Welgelee a person can see a train all the way to Theron
winding it's way down to cross the Doringspruit and then up towards Welgelee.
Orange 34 031 was caught at Odendaalsrus with the return working of the Bothaville pick-up, the
petrol tankers were the giveaway.
Near Bloemhof we missed a Northbound ore train behind 4x 10Es. The only other movement on this
line was a northbound inspection trolley, plenty of hooting from the driver. This was near
Leeudoringstad.
At Hennenman we got the Welgelee and Glen Harmony pick-up behind blue 34 093, running
backside first. Here we found passengers on the platform. After inquiring from operating we were
told that the Amatola had not even arrived at Bloemfontein yet and they could not give an arrival
time for Hennenman.
At Kroonstad blue 35 259 was at the head of the petrol shunt. Blue 35 257 was the shunting
locomotive at Gunhill. Both locos had orange shunting vans attached. A while later 34 093 headed
through with her load.
Later in the day back at Virginia we got the Amatola standing at Virginia station. We headed towards
the Sand River Bridge to wait for her there. Here we waited and waited to no avail. Finally a train
came along, not the Amatola though. The Northbound car train came past behind orange E 1415 & E
1343. Greetings from the crew. Still no Amatola, then we noticed several luxury busses heading
towards Virginia station. Again we contacted our connections. They told us that the busses were
called because the train was running so late. Also, we were told that some of the passengers refused
to take the busses and demanded to stay on the train to Johannesburg. A short while later the busses
passed us all empty Now it was time to go to the station, to see for ourselves. Luckily no smoke
was coming from the station area ! On arrival at the station we found a train manager hoarding the
passengers back onto the train. (They were sitting under the trees in front of Virginia station). The
loco was SAR Maroon E 1510, the crew were with the TCO at the cabin. As far as we heard the busses
were run for mahala, no passengers took them.
While inquiring about the Amatola we came across one of the rudest persons at Transnet in
Bloemfontein, he actually put the phone down in our ears. Shosholoza Meyl however were very
friendly and helpful, thanks guys !
At Whites we saw the signals from the Welkom branch were yellow. This turned out to be maroon 34
067 from Wesselsbron, she was kept for the Amatola which sped past us at full speed only at 1415, by
now 6 hours late (traction problems in the Eastern Cape), and even more guaranteed delays when
they reach the Metros on the reef... 34 067 left Whites with plenty of smoke and not sounding healthy
at all.
A while later we got blue 34 409 coming in from the section with a load of mielies, this was near
Mooiveld.
As we stated before the line to St Helena has had a stop block erected, the rails have now been
uplifted beyond the stop block.
We have seen the YQ's for the Holiday Peak Period trains for 2010/12/22 - 26, the only specials were:
CTN - ELN - CTN
CTN - QTN - CTN
JHB - DNP - JHB
JHB - ELN - JHB.

55

Near Allanridge 34 093 came past heading towards Whites with a load of mielies.
On inquiring about the Cape Town bound Trans Orange we were told, already 5 hours late, not even
at Harrismith yet, locomotives problems from Durban... Eventually we got the Orange running 4.5
hours late between Houtenbeck and Brandfort. Up front was orange E 1423 OFS and orange E xxxx,
the twin diner was still in BJ's green livery. If the trains stays late the passengers will at least enjoy the
Western Cape scenery and the Hexton tunnels in day light !
Ore haulages were almost nonexistent this week, due to the mines being closed.
The last sighting for 2010 was near Kalkvlakte, SAR Maroon E 1537 Kaap (still with number
plates) and orange E 1343 OFS headed light locos towards Kroonstad, hoots from the crew.
Hi all.
First sightings for 2011 - lets hope the traffic picks up...
We missed the Friedesheim timber shunt somewhere between Welkom, Friedesheim and the mine
exchange yards ?? It was already on its way back to Kroonstad after all our efforts trying to find it.
At Bloemhof we got the station packed with goods trucks. Orange E 1360 OFS and orange E xxxx
were shunting at the far end of the station close to the silos. We headed through an incredible thunder
storm near Harrisburg. On phoning operating at Klerksdorp, to find out why there were no trains,
they told us there is no traffic this time of the year. Also that the Blue Train had just departed from
Klerksdorp and a goods train was coming in from the branch at Makwassie, this we missed. While
waiting for the Blue we were worried that the thunder storm was going to get to us before the train.
Later we heard that the bridge we had passed over earlier was closed and under water. The Blue was
caught near Orkney behind orange E 14 110 and orange / grey E 14 002, hoots from the crew.
All the ore haulages were back to normal again this week. Two of RRL's 91's are in their "shed"
undergoing repairs, one has its engine removed.
The Spoorbaan were busy in Virginia station.
Orange 34 031 was seen heading the timber train through Mothusi, later we got this train at
Friedesheim and at Welkom. At Theunissen we got a white inspection trolley heading South. At
Brandfort SAR Maroon E 1537 and orange E 1343 OFS headed through light locos en-route to
Bloemfontein.
A quick visit was made to Protespan station; the old loading platforms still stand as does the Van
Schoor hut. A piece of rail in the platform edge dates back to 1890.
After all the lovely rains all the bridges and culverts along the lines are flowing with water.
A northbound ore train was on its way through Bloemhof when we got there, this was behind orange
and blue 10E's. Just to the south of Bloemhof we got another northbound ore train behind orange E 10
021, blue E 10 066, orange E 10 002, SAR red E 10 121. Near Britten we got TFR E 10 101 and SAR red
E 10 110 on another northbound load, this time CAR wagons. Hoots from the crew. At Christiana a
northbound load of containers headed through at a leisurely pace. This was behind blue E 1585 and
SAR Maroon E 1xx6. Greetings from the crew. Close to Leeudoringstad a southbound load of fine coal
came past behind SAR Maroon E 1544 and 2x orange sisters, hoots from the crew. The silos at Regina
had plenty of old sugar trucks now being loaded with maize. Close to Dean another southbound load

56

of fine coal headed through. Up front were SAR Maroon E 1615 SAR maroon E xxxx, still with
number plates and orange E 1570. All along the line Transnet were busy with maintenance.
Then we decided to see if anything remained of Milner Bridge and Vaal Brug stations on the uplifted
Orkney - Vierfontein line. All along the way the ballast remains and even some concrete sleepers at a
level crossing. Some ruins are left and one fibre glass post left from the burnt name board at Vaal
Brug. In a couple of years nature would have reclaimed everything. If one follows the embankment to
the bridge the flood damage from the previous floods (reason for closure) would be possible to find.
This will have to be done in winter when the reptiles are sleeping...
Orange 34 054 headed through Karee with a short load of mielies, this was the return working of the
Theunissen and Brandfort pick-up. Just North of Estoire we visited a Reclam site with mountains of
scrapped wagon bogies lying everywhere. Here orange 35 279 headed past with a load of mielies and
an orange shunting van heading towards Bloemfontein. Estoire just has a rusted nameboard left and
is completely overgrown, that's it. Across the line Transwerk's workshops can be seen, rows upon
rows of scrapped wagons and coaches awaiting the cutters torch. Even still some refrigerated trucks.
Next we visited Longend, same story here, just a name left, still with Transwerk in the background.
Then we paid a visit to Transwek Bloemfontein. The line of scrapped / wrecked diesel locomotives is
amazing... Plenty of activity going on, new coal wagons and iron ore wagons being built, as well as
passenger coaches and other repairs being done. A level crossing warning signs reads Stop 19 Lines!
16DA 878 "Jock" looks good, still completely intact, but in need of a polish. Who can give us the
history of how this loco ended up here? Was this loco refurbished before being plinthed?
Bloem loco was visited just in case something was hiding there, nothing new this time. The scrapped
diesels have gone and have been replaced with rows of steam cars that are to be cut up next. It is hard
to believe that there are only a handful of diesels left at this depot. We found a couple of 34's idling
away and at the Shosholoza Meyl side a couple of purple and blue 34's and 35's. Kelly's View
nameboard has been erected here, no wonder we could not find it line side!
A quick visit was paid to Bloem coaching yard. Here too is only a fraction of the amount of passenger
coaches left compared to years ago. We found the Kei Rail coaches standing staged here at one end of
the yard. Purple 34 102 was standing in BFX station, nothing else.
Bloemfontein East is also only a name. The line between Bloemfontein and Hamilton has become a
no-go area. The trackside is used as a latrine and vagrants are strewn all over the place, even we did
not feel safe and moved on... At Showgrounds station the sidings still remain intact but completely
overgrown. This basically concludes our visits to all the stations in the Bloemfontein and surrounding
area. Two orange 36's were standing with the shunt at Hamilton yard, orange van in tow. All that
could be identified of Pelenomi is a destroyed ruin of a building.
Orange 34 028 came through Hennenman en-route to Kroonstad with the return working of the
Bothaville pick-up, hoots from the driver. Passing Whites saw RRL 33 01 coming from the south, East
London we are told?? She was put onto the branch and a couple of minutes later she headed towards
Welkom. Now we have two 33's here but only until next week. 33 02 and 36 01 are being transferred
to Mozambique to work there. Not sure exactly where. Apparently a 35 class for RRL is arriving in
two weeks, also only for a while before she goes elsewhere. The 91's are to be modified to enable them
to work in multiple, to help them cope with the ore loads. We have been told that Sheltam's 31 class
no. 1201 is being transferred to Sappi Ngodwana, not sure when.
At Hennenman and Virginia we again noticed passengers on the platforms long after the Trans
Orange should have passed. On phoning operating we were told: "Die hele bank het geskuif by
Colworth / Clove". [The whole embankment has moved]. The wash away is between Besters and
Brakwal, before van Reenen pass. The train travelled via Standerton, Union and Vereeniging onwards

57

to Kroonstad. It had just left Sasolburg at 11h50. Running about seven hours late when she reached
Kroontad. Getting to Bosrand both up and down signals were showing green aspects. On phoning
Kroonstad at 12h40 were told "Snel net weg". The up line being set up for much later train. The
orange came past behind SAR Maroon E 1612 Kaap and orange E 1xxx. We have heard that the coal
line has also suffered wash aways and the trains are standing.
Maroon 34 067 was caught struggling towards Bultfontein with the pick-up. This was near
Tierfontein.
At Bloemhof orange E 1349 was waiting at the signals with a northbound load of welded rails.
Greetings from the driver. Then close to Drie Ruiters we got a southbound load of containers behind
orange E 1236 and orange E 1725?? Southern Transvaal. Greetings from the crew.
A white inspection trolley was heading through Allanridge en-route to Welkom.
Greetings.
John & Jacque..

Greetings!
The next issue, DV, sometime in February 2011.

Hennie Heymans Pretoria, ZA. 2011

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