 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| This tour had been successfully completed. The first two days were affected by a railway strike, which restricted operations to the locomotive depots at Capital Park and Germinston. Both Friends of the Rail and Reefsteamers did an excellent job entertaining the group. During the tour it as decided to offer a photographic competition. The results can be found here. A video of the Apple Express, taken by Peter Rogers, can be found here. |
South African Steam 2010
Saturday. 22 May.
A railway strike prevented our leaving the Capital Park depot today, but a good day's photography was enjoyed around the Friends of the Rail and
Rovos depots, with three FoTR locomotives in steam. This was followed by a Braai and night photography. A mid morning break saw most of the
group visiting The Voortrekker Monument, the Peace Park and Fort Klapperkop.
Sunday. 23 May.
Again, the strike prevented us from getting out on the main line. The morning was spent photographing at Germiston with three locomotives in
steam. Later, all but one of the group drove to Cullinan for lunch and a visit to the mine. This evening, we enjoyed a braai at Germinston with
Reefsteamers.
Monday. 24 May.
We drove to Fouriesburg this morning, checked into the hotel and visited Sandstone to photograph their Feldtbahn Locomotive.
Tuesday. 25 May.
Leave early by road for Sandstone, arriving in time for sunrise. Our full day activity at Sandstone included an NGG13 and NGG16 Garratt in steam.
Trains ran over the entire rail network with numerous runpasts staged in outstanding scenery. The two Garratts operated both double headed and
single headed. Lunch and refreshments will be at the Waehuis and the impressive estate was open for inspection.
Wednesday. 26 May.
We arrived once more at Sandstone in time for sunrise, one of the best times for photography on the estate. This morning's session was with two
NG6 Lawleys, the iconic 4-4-0's that started life on the Beira Railway in Mozambique. This afternoon's session was with the NG15 2-8-2, The
SAR's largest two foot gauge straight locomotive. Dinner this evening was a Braai at Sandstone.
Thursday. 27 May.
This morning's Sandstone session was with the NG4 Tank locomotive. This locomotive failed with injector problems, and yesterday's NG15 took
over for the rest of the morning. After morning refreshments and a last chance to visit the Sandstone Heritage Trust collection, we motored to
Creighton in Natal. On arrival at Creighton those who like curry enjoyed dinner in the Sisonke Stimela dining car standing at Creighton Station.
Friday. 28 May.
Some of the Sisonke Stimela passenger train coaches left Creighton this morning for Riverside. On arrival, the locomotive ran around the
coaches and we returned to Creighton. After lunch, the GMAM Garratt departed for Riverside with a mixed train using traditionally painted SAR
coaches. The train and return to Creighton, with the option to ride back on the train or by coach
Saturday. 29 May.
The mixed train with the GMAM Garratt will leave Creighton this morning, timed to be on the hill section in time for runpasts in the early morning
light. After a stop for locomotive servicing the train returned to Creighton.
Sunday. 30 May.
Transfer to Ixopo by coach early this morning for the Paton Country Narrow Gauge Railway. Coffee and a light breakfast were served at
Allwoodburn Station before the narrow gauge NGG11 Garratt took a mixed train through the forests to Stainton and Carisbrooke. Recent forest
clearing had created new vistas overlooking the dramatic backdrop of the Mzimkulu River Valley. We drove from Carriesbrook to Ncalu, where
sugar cane tank loco UVE2 was waiting to re-enact the carriage of sugar cane by rail. Our plan to return to Allwoodburn Station this afternoon was
thwarted when the locomotive ran out of water and failed in section on a very gloomy, damp and misty day.
Monday. 31 May.
Today was a transfer day, participants either motored back to Johannesburg or continued to Port Elizabeth.
Tuesday. 01 June
We travel as far at Loerie today with the Apple Express. One NG15 locomotive and one Sandstone NG6 Lawley double head our train out of Port
Elizabeth as far as Van Staadens. From there, the Lawley returned to Port Elizabeth and we continued with the NG15 with a mixed train in
authentic SAR colours.
Wednesday. 02 June
Today we travelled from Lourie to Hankie on the Patensie Branch and back to Loerie.
DThursday, 03 June.
Today, we continued from Loerie to Assegaaibos.
Friday, 04 June.
We travelled back down the line to Humansdorp this morning, and returned to Assegaaibos this afternoon.
Saturday. 05 June.
This morning, we transferred from Assegaaibos to the Outeniqua Transport Museum. On arrival, we joined the Powervan for a trip to the Voorbaai
locomotive depot before continuing to Mossel Bay for lunch before returning to George.
Sunday. 06 June.
After breakfast, the Powervan made a trip up the Montague Pass, arriving back in George by lunch time. This was followed by a road trip to
Knysna. The trip included a stop en-route to see the Kaaimans River Bridge and the washaways, time at the Knysna Waterfront and a sunset boat
cruise on the Knysna lagoon.
A railway strike prevented our leaving the Capital Park depot today, but a good day's photography was enjoyed around the Friends of the Rail and
Rovos depots, with three FoTR locomotives in steam. This was followed by a Braai and night photography. A mid morning break saw most of the
group visiting The Voortrekker Monument, the Peace Park and Fort Klapperkop.
Sunday. 23 May.
Again, the strike prevented us from getting out on the main line. The morning was spent photographing at Germiston with three locomotives in
steam. Later, all but one of the group drove to Cullinan for lunch and a visit to the mine. This evening, we enjoyed a braai at Germinston with
Reefsteamers.
Monday. 24 May.
We drove to Fouriesburg this morning, checked into the hotel and visited Sandstone to photograph their Feldtbahn Locomotive.
Tuesday. 25 May.
Leave early by road for Sandstone, arriving in time for sunrise. Our full day activity at Sandstone included an NGG13 and NGG16 Garratt in steam.
Trains ran over the entire rail network with numerous runpasts staged in outstanding scenery. The two Garratts operated both double headed and
single headed. Lunch and refreshments will be at the Waehuis and the impressive estate was open for inspection.
Wednesday. 26 May.
We arrived once more at Sandstone in time for sunrise, one of the best times for photography on the estate. This morning's session was with two
NG6 Lawleys, the iconic 4-4-0's that started life on the Beira Railway in Mozambique. This afternoon's session was with the NG15 2-8-2, The
SAR's largest two foot gauge straight locomotive. Dinner this evening was a Braai at Sandstone.
Thursday. 27 May.
This morning's Sandstone session was with the NG4 Tank locomotive. This locomotive failed with injector problems, and yesterday's NG15 took
over for the rest of the morning. After morning refreshments and a last chance to visit the Sandstone Heritage Trust collection, we motored to
Creighton in Natal. On arrival at Creighton those who like curry enjoyed dinner in the Sisonke Stimela dining car standing at Creighton Station.
Friday. 28 May.
Some of the Sisonke Stimela passenger train coaches left Creighton this morning for Riverside. On arrival, the locomotive ran around the
coaches and we returned to Creighton. After lunch, the GMAM Garratt departed for Riverside with a mixed train using traditionally painted SAR
coaches. The train and return to Creighton, with the option to ride back on the train or by coach
Saturday. 29 May.
The mixed train with the GMAM Garratt will leave Creighton this morning, timed to be on the hill section in time for runpasts in the early morning
light. After a stop for locomotive servicing the train returned to Creighton.
Sunday. 30 May.
Transfer to Ixopo by coach early this morning for the Paton Country Narrow Gauge Railway. Coffee and a light breakfast were served at
Allwoodburn Station before the narrow gauge NGG11 Garratt took a mixed train through the forests to Stainton and Carisbrooke. Recent forest
clearing had created new vistas overlooking the dramatic backdrop of the Mzimkulu River Valley. We drove from Carriesbrook to Ncalu, where
sugar cane tank loco UVE2 was waiting to re-enact the carriage of sugar cane by rail. Our plan to return to Allwoodburn Station this afternoon was
thwarted when the locomotive ran out of water and failed in section on a very gloomy, damp and misty day.
Monday. 31 May.
Today was a transfer day, participants either motored back to Johannesburg or continued to Port Elizabeth.
Tuesday. 01 June
We travel as far at Loerie today with the Apple Express. One NG15 locomotive and one Sandstone NG6 Lawley double head our train out of Port
Elizabeth as far as Van Staadens. From there, the Lawley returned to Port Elizabeth and we continued with the NG15 with a mixed train in
authentic SAR colours.
Wednesday. 02 June
Today we travelled from Lourie to Hankie on the Patensie Branch and back to Loerie.
DThursday, 03 June.
Today, we continued from Loerie to Assegaaibos.
Friday, 04 June.
We travelled back down the line to Humansdorp this morning, and returned to Assegaaibos this afternoon.
Saturday. 05 June.
This morning, we transferred from Assegaaibos to the Outeniqua Transport Museum. On arrival, we joined the Powervan for a trip to the Voorbaai
locomotive depot before continuing to Mossel Bay for lunch before returning to George.
Sunday. 06 June.
After breakfast, the Powervan made a trip up the Montague Pass, arriving back in George by lunch time. This was followed by a road trip to
Knysna. The trip included a stop en-route to see the Kaaimans River Bridge and the washaways, time at the Knysna Waterfront and a sunset boat
cruise on the Knysna lagoon.