| Report and photographs are Copyright to Geoff Cooke If you wish to copy or use any of the contents of this website, please request permission first |
| In September 2007 Geoff Cooke hosted a tour to South Africa for Ffestiniog Travel, called South African Gold. The tour included some interesting train charters, as well as a good deal of the country away from the tracks. Enjoy the pictures, clicking on them will give a larger image. |
13 September 2007. The tour started in Pretoria. A visit to the Voortrekker
Monument was followed by the Union Buildings, offering a fine view over the
City on a sunny day.
14 September. We drove to the Pilansburg Game Reserve, our only chance
to seem Africa's Big Five. White Rhinoceros, Lion and Elephant were seen
along with 11 other species - not bad for one game drive.
Monument was followed by the Union Buildings, offering a fine view over the
City on a sunny day.
14 September. We drove to the Pilansburg Game Reserve, our only chance
to seem Africa's Big Five. White Rhinoceros, Lion and Elephant were seen
along with 11 other species - not bad for one game drive.
15 September. The Friends of the Rail took us from their base at Capital
Park, Pretoria to Cullinan behind their Class 24 2-8-4. After being welcomed
to Cullinan by the junior management, we visited the Cullinan Diamond
Mine, location of a number of interesting railway items and a rather expensive
gift shop. Three runpasts were staged on the return journey.
Park, Pretoria to Cullinan behind their Class 24 2-8-4. After being welcomed
to Cullinan by the junior management, we visited the Cullinan Diamond
Mine, location of a number of interesting railway items and a rather expensive
gift shop. Three runpasts were staged on the return journey.
16 September. We left Johannesburg this afternoon,
destined for Cape Town on the Premier Classe train. All
went well until just after 08h00 on the morning of 17
September, when we came to a halt at a signal in the
middle of the Karoo. A train ahead of us had been in
collision with a truck, which had brought down the
overhead wires. We waited until 19h00 before power was
restored and we could continue our journey to Cape
Town, arriving at about 02h00 on the morning of 18
September. Arrangements were made to sleep on board
the train until sunrise.
destined for Cape Town on the Premier Classe train. All
went well until just after 08h00 on the morning of 17
September, when we came to a halt at a signal in the
middle of the Karoo. A train ahead of us had been in
collision with a truck, which had brought down the
overhead wires. We waited until 19h00 before power was
restored and we could continue our journey to Cape
Town, arriving at about 02h00 on the morning of 18
September. Arrangements were made to sleep on board
the train until sunrise.
18 September. We made a tour of
Cape Town City, including the Castle
where we witnessed a demonstration of
the awesome firepower commanded by
the South African Army. This was
followed by a Metro train ride from
Lakeside to Fish Hoek. The Metro should
have taken us to Simonstown, but
engineering works resulted in a bus
replacement on the last section. Where
had we heard that before?
Simonstown is home to the South African
Navy. They also had some firepower on
display.
This afternoon we took the cable-car to
the top of Table Mountain.
Cape Town City, including the Castle
where we witnessed a demonstration of
the awesome firepower commanded by
the South African Army. This was
followed by a Metro train ride from
Lakeside to Fish Hoek. The Metro should
have taken us to Simonstown, but
engineering works resulted in a bus
replacement on the last section. Where
had we heard that before?
Simonstown is home to the South African
Navy. They also had some firepower on
display.
This afternoon we took the cable-car to
the top of Table Mountain.
19 September. We drove around the Cape
Peninsular, stopping first at the attractive fishing
harbour of Hout Bay before continuing to the Cape
of Good Hope and Cape Point (reached by a
funicular railway).
After meeting the penguins at Boulders Beach we
caught a train from Simonstown to Fish Hoek,
completing the journey we missed yesterday.
Peninsular, stopping first at the attractive fishing
harbour of Hout Bay before continuing to the Cape
of Good Hope and Cape Point (reached by a
funicular railway).
After meeting the penguins at Boulders Beach we
caught a train from Simonstown to Fish Hoek,
completing the journey we missed yesterday.
20 September. After a drive from Cape Town we visited Voorbaai Locomotive Depot. Of interest was the
GMAM Garratt, towed in after failing whilst operating the Outeniqua Tchoe Choo. Not good news - it had been
repaired for a charter we had booked for two day's time, and this was supposed to be the test run. Also present
were the usual selection of steam and diesel electric locomotives used by Transnet Heritage, and a scrap dealer
cutting up # 2054.
GMAM Garratt, towed in after failing whilst operating the Outeniqua Tchoe Choo. Not good news - it had been
repaired for a charter we had booked for two day's time, and this was supposed to be the test run. Also present
were the usual selection of steam and diesel electric locomotives used by Transnet Heritage, and a scrap dealer
cutting up # 2054.
This afternoon, we rode a Powervan
from Voorbaai to George, followed
by dinner in a dining car in the
Museum.
from Voorbaai to George, followed
by dinner in a dining car in the
Museum.
21 September. A visit to the Museum
this morning was followed by a steam train
ride on the Outeniqua Tchoe Choo to
Mossel Bay and back.
this morning was followed by a steam train
ride on the Outeniqua Tchoe Choo to
Mossel Bay and back.
22 September. With the GMAM Garratt not
working, we rode behind two Class 32 heritage
diesel electric locomotives from George to
Oudtshoorn. Three runpasts were aranged on this
scenic mountain railway.
Our next visit was to an Ostrich Farm, with an
opportunity to ride an Ostrich for those brave
enough. After a visit to the Cango Caves, we drove
to Port Elizabeth.
working, we rode behind two Class 32 heritage
diesel electric locomotives from George to
Oudtshoorn. Three runpasts were aranged on this
scenic mountain railway.
Our next visit was to an Ostrich Farm, with an
opportunity to ride an Ostrich for those brave
enough. After a visit to the Cango Caves, we drove
to Port Elizabeth.
23 & 24 September. The tour ended with a two day trip on the Apple Express. On the first day we rode from
Humewood Road Station to Patensie. There was some excitement just past Hankie Station where a landslip was
encountered. Locals came to our aid. Armed with spades and wearing wellington boots, they quickly got our train
on the way again. After a night at Patensie we turned the locomotive on the turntable and made our way back to
Port Elizabeth, stopping at Humewood Road Diesel Depot to see the Apple Express steam locomotives that are
currently undergoing repair. The Apple Express is always a great experience, both for the narrow gauge railway
experience, and for their special style of trackside catering.
Humewood Road Station to Patensie. There was some excitement just past Hankie Station where a landslip was
encountered. Locals came to our aid. Armed with spades and wearing wellington boots, they quickly got our train
on the way again. After a night at Patensie we turned the locomotive on the turntable and made our way back to
Port Elizabeth, stopping at Humewood Road Diesel Depot to see the Apple Express steam locomotives that are
currently undergoing repair. The Apple Express is always a great experience, both for the narrow gauge railway
experience, and for their special style of trackside catering.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |