Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Phelopepha
Photo:Fanie Kleynhans
Fanie Kleynhans captured Spoornets Phelopepha in the Western Cape
Contents: Inhoud
Phelopepha ......................................................................................................................... 1
Pretoria-Pietersburg Spoorweg Maatskappij [PPSM] or Pretoria-Pietersburg Railway
[PPR].................................................................................................................................... 7
Phelophepa Health Train................................................................................................... 9
Phelophepa Photographs Fanie Kleynhans ................................................................ 10
The Meaning of Phelopepha ........................................................................................... 13
Some old Photogrpahs and Press Cuttings - Dana Kruger (Durban) .......................... 14
Some old photographs Carlos Vieira in the UK ............................................................ 18
Pretoria Railway Station HBH ..................................................................................... 19
Trams City Council of Pretoria .................................................................................... 21
A Visit to Sannaspos near the Modder River HBH .................................................... 24
Steward - 293 - Tafelbediende ......................................................................................... 29
IMR Fireman: A Frees ...................................................................................................... 30
1939 Windhoek ................................................................................................................. 30
Carlos Junction ............................................................................................................... 33
News from Namibia - Nuus van Namibi ..................................................................... 38
Geartikuleerde Goederetrok Lourens Sturgeon ......................................................... 39
Garratt GMA/M 4073 - Andre Kritzinger ...................................................................... 41
Early Pietersburg - Compiled by Stan Kantor ............................................................... 42
Postal Services........................................................................................................... 44
Encounter at Groenvlei (Hartbeeslaagte) 10th August 1901................................. 46
l. Die treinvernieller ..................................................................................................... 49
Described By General Ben Viljoen .......................................................................... 49
Described by Gustav Preller .................................................................................... 50
Described By Egbert Weeber ................................................................................... 50
2. Short notes on Armoured Trains............................................................................. 51
Principal Duties of Armoured Trains ..................................................................... 51
2
Edu-Clinics train 25 volunteers at each stop, to ensure that health awareness lives on
long after the Train has departed.
"One of my enduring memories as I observed the team through its different clinics
was towards the end of the last visit as one of the Phelophepa sisters worked with
four little children, two blind and two deaf. She had spent the day patiently and
enthusiastically educating over a hundred children on oral hygiene and teeth
brushing, now she was sat down and taking each child through the same routine but
with perhaps even more care and energy than she had started with many hours
previously."
Ben McGarry, independent project evaluator
Ref: http://www.canoncollins.org.uk/projects/phelophepa.php dated 26 Jan 2011.
Coach No 3
Coach No 4 Kitchen
10
Coach No 6 Accommodation
Coach No 7
Coach No 8
Coach No 9 Accommodation
11
Coach No 12 Psychology
Coach No 12 - Roche
Coach No 15 Management
Coach No 16 - Pharmacy
12
Coach No 17
Coach No 18
Photo by Fanie Kleynhans was taken just north of Hermon in gale force winds!
Look at the grass in the front of the train.
Thank you Fanie! Excellent!
train-a289907#ixzz1CAQfLXyU
http://www.suite101.com/content/health-care-on-phelophepa-south-africasmiracle-train-a289907
14
The first school was built in 1868 at St Peter's Mission School, attached to the newly
built St Peter's Church. The bay was named after a Royal Naval officer called
Walker.
The farmers may have discovered Hermanus, but it was the fishermen who settled
here. With an abundance of fish, the village attracted more and more families. By the
early 1900s word of the excellent fishing, outstanding beauty and healing air had
spread across the world. It even became fashionable for Harley Street doctors in
London to prescribe visits to Hermanus champagne air to their patients.
One of the first regular visitors to Hermanus was Sir William Hoy, General
Manager of the Railways. He ensured the natural beauty of Hermanus would stay
unspoilt by blocking any attempt to extend the Bot River railway line to the village.
His legacy lives on in the Hermanus Station that has no lines or trains and the hill
that lies in the middle of the village, Hoys Koppie, where he and his wife are buried.
Hoys Koppie not only provides an easy walk though fynbos to a lookout point over
the village, but is also an important link to the earliest inhabitants of the area, the
Khoisan. Klipgat Cave, a large overhang on the southern side of the koppie, has
archaeological evidence of these indigenous people inhabiting the cave long before
Hermanus Pieters came across it. From 1992 the town was promoted as a land based
whale watching spot of international repute.
Ref: http://www.hermanus.com/history.mv dated 26 January 2011.
A filler: Bloemfontein Railway Station
16
17
18
19
Hierdie gebou is opgerig in die plek van die oorspronklike stasiegebou van die
NZASM wat in 1893 voltooi is. Dit is deur sir Herbert Baker ontwerp en met die
unifikasie van die vier provinsies van Suid-Afrika (1910) gebou met geld uit die
20
surplusfondse van die regering van die provinsie van Transvaal. Die gebou is op 2
September 1912 in gebruik geneem.
21
22
Our National Train of Prestige the entrance to the Blue Train is on the eastern side
of the Pretoria Railway Station.
The Victoria Hotel An early Rovos Base opposite the Pretoria Railway Station. The
Victoria Hotel got its new name when the British marched into Pretoria during 1900.
23
24
25
26
Looking to Bloemfontein!
27
28
29
1939 Windhoek
A few months before WW2 broke out the SA Police, acting on information from a
secret agent, invade SWA to prevent a putsch in the territory:
30
31
Remark: One of the aims of the Railway Gazette is to pay homage to the Railways;
who from the beginning served the Government of the Day, in the national interest,
with pride!
[This is a Railway magazine and not a National Security Magazine, therefore no
more on what happened in SWA during 1939, suffices to say the whole course of
WW2 in Africa was changed.]
One can only wonder how South Africa would be able to cope when the railways are
needed to perform in the National Interest. Should we have no petrol and diesel,
how are we going to deploy our men without a railway? (Even branch lines are fast
becoming a thing of the past!) Is there still a strategic reserve of rolling stock?
All photographs from Hennie Heymans-collection.
32
Carlos Junction
E-12
N-6
Anglo-Boer War
33
34
35
British soldiers
Berea Rd Station
Boers /Boere
Left: British armoured train
Left: a Missionary coach.
37
Willie Salpeter sent the following photos of the recent rains in Namibia!
38
geartikuleerde trok is. Al hoewel dit nog eksperimentele trokke is, is hulle al op verskeie
plekke getoets. Die doel is die vervoer van houers.
Die trok bestaan uit 5 eenhede:
EXP-4 11-010 061,
EXP-5 11-010 096,
EXP-6 11-010 118,
EXP-5 11-010 088 en
EXP-4 11-010 053.
Die vrag is 33 000kg en die tare is 14 025kg.
Die geartikuleerde trok staan by Koedoespoort se toets sentrum en hy bestaan al 'n hele
paar jaar. Ek het probeer uit vind wanneer hy gebou is, maar is nie suksesvol nie, maar wat
ek wel weet is dat die trok nie op die opsnylys is nie, so wie weet daar is nog hoop...
Lekker dag verder!
Groete Lourens
40
Baie dankie Lourens, dis n baie interessante nuusbrokkie en dankie vir die mooi fotos!
41
42
The Photograph of the opening of the railway line was taken by Hugh Exton, a
resident of Pietersburg from 1882 to 1950. He left about 41000 glass plates, which
illustrates the growth of the town. More information on Hugh Exton can be read in
the Africana Bulletin Vol.24 No. 102 and Call Back the Past by Basil Fuller. During the
Anglo-Boer War Exton worked as a war photographer.
Another well-known personality of early Pietersburg was CH 'Doel' Zeederberg. The
Zeederberg brothers ran a mail coach service between Kimberley and Johannesburg
soon after the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand. In 1890 they began a service
between Pretoria and Pietersburg. Doel was in charge of the Pietersburg-Rhodesia
section, which was opened on 17th February 1891 and it took three days to do the
journey to the camp at Tuli. Many horses were lost due to the problem of Tsetse fly
and to counteract this, Zeederberg trained zebras to pull the coaches. This
experiment proved a failure but Hugh Exton was there to capture on plate the first
fully harnessed zebras.
Zeederberg had persuaded one of the local farmers, Roets, to provide him with
twenty zebras for training and then offered him the equivalent of R1 for every wild
zebra he could deliver. Within two weeks there were nearly 200 kept in special
camps. Within three months, four teams, with mules as leaders, were ready to begin
the service.
43
The zebras performed satisfactorily but they were not as good as either horses or
mules, the reason being that despite their speed, they lacked stamina and their
ability to do long distances was under suspicion. The first long-distance haul was
from Pietersburg to Pretoria. Pres Kruger, sitting on his stoep, had a grandstand
view of their arrival. He was not impressed: 'It is an evil day when wild animals are
made to do the work which the Almighty has ordained should be performed by domestic
animals.'
The Zeederbergs had come to a similar conclusion but for different reasons - the
zebras were just not up to it. (To Horse and Away - Jose Burman).
Postal Services
After the British had occupied Pretoria, the Transvaal Government was obliged to
leave its headquarters and take up a wandering existence onboard a group of evermoving railway coaches. A certain amount of postal business continued, even
including the production of postcards carrying the inscription 'Printed in the Field'
(in Dutch). Separated from normal sources of supplies, the Boer officials in
Pietersburg used the press of De Zoutpansberg Wachter in that town to produce a
primitive set of postage stamps.
The design showed the value in the centre with the word Postzegel at the top and
the date 1901 at the foot. The side panels were inscribed ZAfr. Rep and the numerals
of value appeared in the comers. The stamps were initialled in black by the
Controller of Posts, I.T. de V. Smit. The denominations issued were 1/2d (green); 1d
(red); 2d (orange); 4d (blue); 6d (green) and 1s (yellow).
The period of issue lasted only from 15th March 1901 until 9th April 1901, by which
time Pietersburg was in the hands of the British. In May 1900 paper money notes
were issued by the Provisional Government in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and
50. These were signed by the Auditor-General, JS Marais and the TreasurerGeneral, NS Malherbe and were secured by the fixed property of the Republic. These
'Gouvemement Noten' carried an annual interest payable at 6% and the notes were
redeemable to the amount of 100000 yearly.
However, as the war progressed and the Republican forces withdrew from the
capital, other series of the notes were issued from various places. For instance some
were issued in Pietersburg in April 1901 and shortly afterwards, still others in
Pilgrims Rest.
44
45
The section of the Warmbaths-Petersburg rail line was used by the Provisional
Government up until 30th March 1901, when Warmbaths was taken by the British.
They had restored the Pretoria-Warmbaths section by section on their way to
conquer the north. Australian scouts rode into Nylstroom on 1st April, Piet
Potgietersrust on 5th April and by 8th April the British vanguard entered
Pietersburg. The railway then became part of the Imperial Military Railway.
The first attack on the railway line by the Boer forces was on 4th July. An interesting
talk was given by Prof. Louis Changion to the Africana Society on 19th April 2006 on
Breaker Morant {see Africana Bulletin No. 125 Aug. 2006}, which intertwines with
our story.
Having joined the newly formed Bushveldt Carbineers (BVC) on 28th February 1901,
Morant was involved in the taking of Pietersburg on 8th April 1901. During the
occupation a Boer sniper, GC Kooijker, picked off two Tasmanian Bushmen, Captain
AA Sale and Lieut CH Walker. When the snipers nest was stormed, he calmly stood
up, threw aside his gun, put his hands up and called out '" surrender". The
onrushing troops took no notice and ran him through with their bayonets.
The train incident at Tobias Spruit on 4th July 1901, is recalled in Shoot Straigh~ You
Bastards by Nick Bleszynski. Sgt Eland mentions in a letter to his mother that
Morant was very cut up when news of the Gordon's disaster reached them.
Lieut. Best had been a good mate of both Hunt and Morant. They were sent out to
search for the train wreckers and their intention was very clear 'If we come up with
this party of Boers we will not take any prisoners'.
The graves of those killed are situated on a farm in the Naboomspruit area. The
photograph shows the memorial to these soldiers erected by the Naboomspruit
Feestekomittee in the local graveyard on the centenary of the event
The actual event occurred about 100 metres down the line towards Naboomspruit.
The new bridge over the Hartbeesspruit rests on the original dressed stone
foundations of the first bridge.
On 9th August 1930 the monument to those who perished at the Battle of Groenvlei
was unveiled. The then Minister of Justice, Oswald Pirow, performed the ceremony
on behalf of the Dingaansfees Committee of Nylstroom. The inscription on the stone
panels reads as follows:
Vir Vryheid en Vaderland
Deze burgers zyn gesneuveld te
Groenvlei 10 Aug 1901.
Carl Cremer geb. 29 Nov 1867 in Ostonnen Westfalen, Duitsland
Gerhardus Jordaan van Middelburg geb. 6 Julie 1882
Comelius Lombaard van Middelburg geb. 2 Aug. 1852
Comelius Post van Middelburg geb. 7 Okt. 1864 in Hilversum, Holland
Frans Schmidt van Harrismith, OVS geb. 26 Okt. 1876
Petrus Swart van Bethal geb. 23 Junie 1876
Johannes van Niekerk van Bethal geb. 1868
By 1901 the Boer forces were independent groupings with no 'headquarters' where
deaths and injuries could be recorded. After the skirmish the British buried the dead
in a mass grave and the names of the deceased would have been taken from those
listed in the books on Slegtkamp, Hindon and Weeber. Confirmation on the number
of dead appears in Vol. IV of History of the War in South Africa 1899 - 1902, which
was published in 1910 prior to any of the other publications. But here appears a
discrepancy.
In Vol. III The History of the Gordon Highlanders 1898 - 1914 on Page 271 the
following extract appears:
'In this affair two passengers were killed and three wounded, a Boer woman among them. The
escort had but two men hit though their truck bore the marks of over one hundred bullets; two
wounded prisoners were taken, sixteen dead Boers were buried."
The British Army was meticulous in its records so who were the other 9 persons
buried?
With the 100 year centenary much emphasis has been placed on the Agterryers. In
his introduction to Ghostriders of the Anglo Boer War (1899 - 1902), author Pieter
47
Labuschagne describes the role of agterryers as: 'Agterryers were mostly black or
coloured men who accompanied their employers on hunting expeditions and in battles and
wars. Their task included guarding spare ammunition, looking after horses, cooking and
collecting firewood. These supportive functions were invaluable to the burgers and
contributed to their success in many battles'.
The memorial stone was placed over the grave where Hindon's men were buried
and, as far as can be ascertained, the bodies were never exhumed. Should this ever
happen and more than seven remains are found it would truly be shades of Herman
Charles Bosman's controversial story Unto Dust.
The last memorial of the Pretoria-Pietersburg Railway derailments was erected near
the Petronella Railway Station. It is in a Memorial Garden and was erected for
British soldiers who died during the Boer War.
The inscription reads:
1899 -1902
In Proud Remembrance
Soldiers originally buried at Waterval North,
Gangers Cottage, Hammanskraal and
Pienaars River station now lie buried here at
Petronella
The last action of the Boer War in Pietersburg occurred on 24th January 1902. Early
in the morning Gen Beyers attacked the town and enabled a number of the inmates
of the refugee camp to escape. About 150 made off and rejoined the commandos. The
small garrison managed to drive off Gen. Beyers and his group.
This article has covered the modem history of the Pietersburg area, but man has
occupied the area over many ages.
Traces of man's past are found at three main types of locality near Pietersburg i.e.
caves in dolomite, quartzite or sandstone; in dongas or erosion gullies and at Iron
Age settlements.
The Makapansgat Valley, 32 km south of Pietersburg, has caves whose contents
record man's activities from about 2 million years ago up to the Voortrekker
Commando of 1854, when the Makapan tribe was destroyed in one of the caves for
attacking a wagon lager at Moorddrift. Soil erosion has exposed enormous number
of stone artefacts, the relics of Stone Age activities and dates back to 100000 years
and up to Iron Age times. The commonest stone artefacts in the dongas were first
found by Rev. E.C. Paterson in the 1920's. They represent a kind of human behaviour
48
l. Die treinvernieller
1. Different descriptions of this famous device used by Jack Hindon and his men are
reproduced below.
locomotive, but so little exposed as to be passed unnoticed. All surplus stones were carried off
in a bag and great care was taken to conceal all traces of the mine....."
hierdie geval, omdat hul nie juis dadelik met 'n gepantserde trein wou te doen h nie, en ook
omdat die bos dit toegelaat 't, werd 'n touw aan die sneller bevestig, sodat hul dit kon aftrek
wanneer hul wou....."
This idea was attributed to Carl Cremer and Egbert Weeber describes his "invention"
as follows: "..... Omdat die afvuur of aftrap van die skoot in die geweerslot afhanklik was van
die gewig van die lokomotief en omdat daardeur swaar spoorwegtrollies of dollee treine die
ontploffing ook kon veroorsaak en also ons doel verydel om 'n ryke buit te maak, het ons later
ook op die metode verbeter - ten minste die vernuftige uitvinder, Carl Craemer, het die
verbetering self uitgedink. Voortaan sou ons die sneller so stel dat die gewig van die
lokomotief of trein geen uitwerking daarop sou he nie. Die holte is dieper gemaak en aan die
sneller 'n draad vasgemaak, lank genoeg om 'n verskuilde man in 'n sloot of agter 'n
verskansing naby die spoorlyn in staat te stel om die skoot af te trek wanneer hy wil.
Wanneer 'n le trein verbygaan, trek hy die draad nie, en die myn kan nie ontplof nie. Die
draadtrekker doen alleen sy werk wanneer hy gesien het dat die aankomende of
verbystomende trein die moeite werd is om aan te val. Hy is natuurlik in groot gevaar weens
die noodwendig kort afstand tussen hom en die spoorlyn. Sy teenwoordigheid kan moontlik
ontdek word en tydens die werklike aanval is hy ook blootgestel aan groot gevaar. As die
aanval misluk, gaan hy 'n gewisse dood tegemoet, want sy kanse om te ontsnap is dan een uit
honderd. Op die manier het die vindingryke Carl Craemer ook aan sy einde gekom....."
train was engaged, with the exception of the driver and fireman on the footplate;
even the latter carried rifles in the engine cab to drive off an enemy endeavouring to
gain possession of their engine.
It was important that the officer commanding the train should be a man of
judgement and strong nerve. He was often called upon to act on his own
responsibility. His strong armament and defences enabled him to attack superior
forces. Yet his vulnerable points were many. He had ever to be alert that the enemy
did not cut the line behind him. In addition to his visible foes and the constant risks
of traffic in war time, he had to contend with skilfully used automatic and
observation mines, and had to keep his head even amid the roar which followed the
passage of his leading truck over a charge of dynamite, and then to deal with the
attack which almost certainly ensued..........
The danger from contact mines was to a certain extent obviated by a standing order
that each train should propel a heavily-loaded bogie truck. Such trucks had low
sides and ends; they in no way obstructed the view, or fire, from the train; and they
performed the double purpose of exploding contact mines and carrying the railway
and telegraph materials. The necessity for this propelled unoccupied bogie was
exemplified on several occasions..........
All trains carried a special gun-truck, on which was a pedestal-mounted QF gun.
They carried also a machine gun at each end, arranged with a lateral sweep, to allow
the fires to cross at either side of the train at a distance of from fifty to eighty yards.
Armoured trains were officially recognised as moving telegraph offices, and
equipped with field sounders, vibrators, phonophores and telephones; and
whenever trains stopped away from a regular office, which they did nearly every
night, they were never out of communication with the neighbouring stations and
blockhouses.......... One of the latter improvements made to armoured trains was the
addition of a strong electric light. The steam for the engine and turbines working the
dynamos was supplied by a flexible pipe from the engine dome, the pipe being fairly
protected by steel plates....."
the train had his headquarters in the telegraph van and was in communication with
the other vehicles via an internal circuit.
4. The locomotive itself, comprehensively armoured with sheet metal.
5. A water tank.
6. An armoured gun truck, usually mounting a 12-pounder quick-firing gun.
7. Another armoured bogie truck, complete with Maxims and a rifle section.
The Situation on the Pietersburg - Pretoria Railway Line end of June 1901
Lieutenant-Colonel ADG Gardyne gives the following description in the Regimental
History of the Gordon Highlanders:
".....Though train-wrecking had been frequent in some districts no attempt to interfere with
the Pietersburg communications had been made up to the end of June, notwithstanding that
the hilly and wooded nature of the country through which the line passed gave every
opportunity to the wrecking gangs. Attacks on trains are, of course, a perfectly legitimate
form of war, and stores, arms, and men therein captured are legitimate prize. But at this
period the notorious Jack Hinton and his colleagues in the Eastern and Northern Transvaal
were acting in a brutal and illegitimate manner after capturing a train: they shot many in
cold blood and recurring cases of brutality had roused the resentment of the army to the
highest pitch. Of course all trains were guarded; an officer and up to thirty men used to go up
by one train, be relieved half-way, and return by the next. There were not yet enough
armoured trucks to go round; soldier passengers usually camped as best they could on top of
the loaded trucks: there was usually a coach for other passengers. The guard's van was
generally more or less protected; it carried the mail and a soldier of the postal service. To
minimize the effect of contact mines it was usual to put two or three trucks of sleepers or
ballast in front of the engine....."
The peace was soon to be shattered and on the 4th July 1901, the Pretoria Pietersburg line suffered the first blow dealt to it by the Boers. The Official History
refers to it as the ".....most striking event of July....." and Lieutenant-Colonel Gardyne as
the ".....glorious disaster of Naboomspruit....."
General C.F. Bevers' Movement Prior to the action at Tobias Spruit, General Beyers
was at Rietvlei, a short distance west of Nylstroom, with 300 men. Here he was
laagered on the farm "Die Oog" which belonged to a certain Gys van Rooyen. From
here he went northwards with 70 men (150) with the purpose of disrupting the
British communications.
53
was an explosion which brought the train to a standstill. According to Gardyne the
damage to the train being ".....a piston-rod was broken....." Wilson and Naude state that
immediately upon the explosion the train came to a standstill. The explosion
resulted in the locomotive being damaged and the track destroyed whereupon the
train left the rails.
The Burghers approached through the thick bush on both sides of the train and
opened a heavy fire on it. They soon worked their way closer to about 70 yards away
from the train from where they riddled it with bullets. The most casualties on the
British side occurred in the first few minutes.
The escort jumped out and started to return the fire. Some of them fired from behind
the wheels or lay between the rails. Lieutenant Best was shot through the leg at the
very onset of the fight but kept directing his men's firing. After a while, when there
was a slack in the British fire, he went round the train to discover that his small force
had suffered severe casualties. He, however, managed to reach the last carriage
without being hit again and apparently on leaving it was challenged by the Boers
and ordered to surrender, on refusal of which he was shot and killed instantly.
The fight lasted between 15 to 20 minutes after which the British, having five men
left to fire a rifle, were overpowered by the Boers. From all accounts it appear that
the Gordon Highlanders put up a brave defence. In a telegram, dd. 10th August
1901, from Lord Kitchener to the Gordon Highlanders, mention is made of a
Commandant De Villiers who was present at the action and who surrendered to the
British just after the action.
He apparently informed Kitchener about the brave defence of the Gordon
Highlanders.
The Boers then took from the train, in the form of clothes and food, what they could
carry away and then set fire to the rest whereupon they retired into the bush. Wilson
states that they retired ".....when the approach of an armoured train was signalled....." This
seems to be far from the truth.
According to Gardyne ".....It was late before word got to Naboomspruit and not until 10
p.m. did succour reach the spot....."
General Beyers and his men went from here back to Rietvlei, west of Nylstroom.
55
about 20 paces from the culvert over the Hartbeesspruit. A copper wire was attached
to the trigger (which was placed about 25 mm below the underside of the rail) and
the mine was to be set off by pulling on it. The reason for this being that they then
could choose which train they wanted to derail. They did not have any intentions of
derailing an armoured train.
57
59
wounded and EJ Weeber told about the woman in the truck waving the black "flag".
Miss Bierman Senior (the mother of Barend Bierman) then said that it was her who
waved the cloth and she produced an alpaca-pallium of the type that women used to
wear in those days. She and some Boer women were on the train on their way to the
Pietersburg Concentration Camp which they eventually reached despite the mishap
to the train.
lV. The train incident near Ganger's Cottage (472) Saturday, 31 August
1901
The General Situation
Wilson described the period between the attack on the 81h and this one as follows:
".....For three weeks, since the derailment of a train at Naboomspruit, the line had been little
troubled by the enemy. Traffic had not been interfered with, and the trains had run regularly,
much as in time of peace. The blockhouses and fortified posts upon the railway were at that
date few and far between. The section from Pretoria to Warm baths was in particular
considered safe from molestation, as for months none of the enemy had shown themselves in
this quarter. There was a good deal of traffic with the north, where was a large camp,
containing Boer refugees, men, women and children, sustained by our army....."
of the original plaque reads as follows: ".....the dynamiting of a troop train at this
spot.....". Ganger's Cottage (472) being referred to as "this spot" was most probably
the site or very near the site of the events of the 31st.
Descriptions of the site from various sources:
".....near Waterval, fifteen miles {24.14 kilometres} north of Pretoria....."
".....on the northem line between Waterval and Hammanskraal....."
".....Derailment effected in cutting....."
".....train to Pietersburg blown up and wrecked at kilo. 35....."
".....3 miles {4.83 km) north of Waterval North....."
".....between Waterval and Hammanskraal Stations.....The spot chosen for this attack was a
deep cutting....."
".....between Waterval and Hammanskraal Stations.....a deep cutting....."
".....waar die spoorwege deur 'n diepe uitgrawing gaat....."
".....Soon after the 301t1 kilometre was reached, a cutting was entered, and at this moment a
heavy explosion was heard away to the rear of the train..... For somewhere about a mile {1.61
kilometres} it ran on, until nearing another cutting....."
".....Hulle het 'n mooi plek ontdek, 'n ingrawing van ongeveer tien voet diep en taamlik
lank....."
".....at a spot near Hammanskraal, where the rails pass through a cutting....."
".....near Waterval, in a low cutting....."
The Time
".....about 7 a.m....."
The Train
As with the location of this event descriptions of this train taken from various
sources are given below:
".....The train with its freight of soldiers, civilians, natives, horses, and merchandize....."
".....a mixed train, carrying supplies and passengers....."
".....the civilians on board the train numbered about twenty, while there were in addition a
number of xxffxxs....."
".....Die trein - 'n gemengde goedere-militaire-persone en lewende hawe trein....." ".....The
train was made up thus. First came three trucks laden with heavy logs, which it was hoped
would explode any mine and so preserve the locomotive from injury. Next came the engine,
and after it a water-tank, an armoured truck with the escort on board, and several other
trucks filled with various supplies. At the end of the train were two carriages containing the
passengers. These carriages were entered by means of platforms at the end of the coaches, and
they were so arranged that their corridors were on different sides, thus rendering it
impossible to pass down the train.
62
The Escort
2 Officers and 45 men of the 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment and details under
Lieutenant-Colonel CFS Vandeleur (Irish Guards). Total about 60 in all.
The Boer Force
About 20 men of the Transvaalse Vrywilligerskorps under Captain Oliver John
"Jack" Hindon and Captain Henri Frederik Slegtkamp. Jack Hindon was joined by
Commandant Groenewald with 100 men. A total of between 115 to 120 (from the
Boksburg & Johannesburg Commandos}.
According to the Official History Hindon's men numbered 250.
instantly. At the same instant a Mr Birso, an employee of the Cold Storage Company,
was mortally wounded while Captain Ackworth and several men were hit. The rest
of the officers rushed towards the armoured van to the rear of the train, but upon
reaching it found that the door was stuck.
The fight, which lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, was brief and severe. On this
occasion Henri Slegtkamp used hand-bombs made from condensed milk tins filled
with dynamite and stones, and these were thrown under the trucks to dislodge the
soldiers hiding there. He described the scene of the derailment in his memoirs:
".....Die waens het in 'n hopelose verwarring oormekaar gel. Dooie perde het hier en daar
uitgesteek. Party van hulle was platgedruk tussen die trokke en daar het lyke gel wat
heeltemal vermink was....." The Boers then helped themselves to what they could carry
away. Some of the Boers also took personal luggage including some of the women's.
On the 5th September, a certain Burgher Bam who was present at the fight, joined
his commando on the banks of the Olifants River in the Eastern Transvaal having
".....a new water-bottle, new cartridge belt, a Lee-Metford, and a felt hat belonging to
the West Ridings....." Roland Schikkerling described him as ".....He looked as if he had
been plucked from a Christmas tree. He brought out tinned dainties from time to time to
strengthen our meagre meal....."
Preller noted that ".....Die buit was die moeite werd. Daar was 'n oorvloed van ammunisie,
en ook 'n aansienlike hoeveelheid dinamiet. Buitendien was daar waans vol suiker, koffie,
sout, tee en ander op-kommando erg nuttige voedingsmiddels.....en toen werd die
meegebrengde pak-perde opgelaai met netsoveel als hul kon meevoer, maar hoofsakelik
leemetford-patrone en dinamiet....."
Wilson recorded that ".....They secured a good amount of money; there was a sum of 600
of army funds on board the train, and from some of the passengers they obtained considerable
amounts. One unfortunate British private was deprived of 40 of hard-earned savings....."
Lieutenant-Colonel Gardyne recorded what happened to one of the passengers as
follows: ".....2nd Lieut. MacMillan of the Highlanders, a passenger on his way to join, was
slightly wounded. All on board were robbed of money, watches, clothing, and boots. But
MacMillan, while accepting the inevitable loss of boots and jacket, protested forcibly when his
kilt was demanded and finally preserved his tartan and his decency....."
In another incident four Burghers found a case of money - said to contain 20000/which they looted, and then deserted their commando. Just after leaving the scene of
the derailment and on their way to De Wagen Drift, Hindon was informed by
Commandant Groenewald that one of the British officers alleged that an amount of
20000 was taken from the train by some of his (Hindon's) men.
64
The very same night (night of the 31st), four Burghers of the Johannesburg
Commando disappeared. They apparently later joined the commandos of General
De la Rey. Captain Henri Slegtkamp recorded that a certain Major Thorald told
Hindon about an amount of 20000 on the train and insisted that Hindon
immediately take possession of it. When they reached the safe they found that it was
already blasted open with dynamite and the money gone. This incident was also
recorded by Egbert Weeber who was absent at this fight.
Before leaving the scene of the battle the Boers set fire to the train whereupon they
moved off in the direction of De Wagen Drift.
A construction train left Pretoria at about 12.45 p.m. and a hospital train
immediately after to the scene of the derailment.
Boer Losses
According to Preller the Boers suffered no casualties. A British source stated that one
Burgher was accidentally slightly wounded.
On the 8th September 1901 Burgher Frederik L Rothmann received an
"Oorlogsbericht" from the Commandant-General while on outpost duty at
Lydenburg and in quoting from it mentions a Lieutenant Smit (Johannesburg Police)
from Commandant Groenewald's Commando killed and two Burghers slightly
wounded in this action. This information should, however, be treated with caution.
The Story Of Nurse Page's Wounding
HW Wilson gives a graphic account of how Nurse Page was wounded. Although it
may appear far-fetched and despite Wilson's reputation of being biased the fact
remains that Nurse Page was wounded. She was also mentioned by Conan Doyle. In
the extract from a letter, dd Ermelo, 17 September 1901 from Vice-President (Acting
President) SW Burger to Captain OJ Hindon (reproduced further on in this) mention
is made of the following complaint by Lord Kitchener namely: ".....Lord Kitchener het
'n klag gerig aan die Komdt.-genl. teen die gedrag van uw manne bij die neme van die trein
te Hammanskraal. Hij stuur 'n bedigde verklaring, dat een van uw manne tweemaal met 'n
revolver geskiet 't op 'n verpleegster met die naam van Cora Page....."
Wilson's account is therefore then reproduced here:
".....In the women's compartment meantime a horrible deed had been perpetrated, it would
seem, as an act of revenge. A nurse named Jacoba Page was in this compartment with two
Dutch ladies and several children. The children had been placed under the seats for security,
and the women lay by them on the floor. A Boer came into the compartment and looked at the
terrified group. As he looked, he seemed to recognise the girl Page. He said to her, "Don't
you come from Woodbosch?" a farm near Pietersburg. She rose, confronted him, and
answered that she did, whereupon he deliberately raised his rifle and fired at her, shooting her
65
in the leg, though fortunately without inflicting more than a flesh wound. She fell with the
words that she was "done fo!", whereupon the ruffian fired at her again; though without
hitting her. The terrified women in the compartment besought him to spare her, and one of
them seized his rifle, preventing him from firing a third shot. They pleaded with him, and
while they were pleading a man who seemed to be a leader came up, and ordered him to cease
firing and to leave the women alone. The girl Page struggled to her feet, terror-stricken and
made her way into another compartment, where she collapsed fainting....."
Reaction on Kitchener's complaints regarding the money taken from the safe on
the 31st as well as the taking of women's luggage and the wounding of Nurse
Page
Extract from a letter, dd Ermelo, 17 September 1901 from Vice-President (Acting
President) SW Burger to Captain OJ Hindon ".....Dit spijt mij om te vemeem dat die geld
wat daar op die ontspoorde trein was, verdwijn is. U verwijs die geval naar die Komdt.-genl.,
maar U moet naar genl. Muller gaan, wiens plig 't is alles in sijn vermoe te doen om die
diewe te ontdek.
Lord Kitchener het 'n klag gerig aan die Komdt.-genl. teen die gedrag van uw manne bij die
neme van die trein te Hammanskraal. Hij stuur 'n beeedigde verklaring, dat een van uw
manne tweemaal met 'n revolver geskiet 't op 'n verpleegster met die naam van Cora Page.
Dit is derhalwe mijn begeerte dat U beedigde verklarings oor hierdie aangeleenheid moet
inwin....."
Immediately upon receiving this letter Hindon held a krijgsraad where all the
members of his corps who were present at the action were questioned under oath.
Nobody, however, did this or saw somebody doing it.
66
Hindon, however, admitted that, against his orders, the luggage of the women on
board the train "nie ge-eerbiedig werd nie" {translation: - not respected} .
67
Somebody has tried to steal the brass plate These men died on the 31st August 1901
68
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Seymour Vanderleur, DSO, who lies buried in the Church Street Grave Yard. We
read the various accounts of the battle and visited the various graves etc.
The grave stone is not intact. On the left Eric Samuels and on the right Peter Greef.
71
After the grave was cleaned we could read more! Peter Greef prepared notes on the various attacks
by the Boers on the trains near Waterval. A photograph of Lt-Col Vandeleur appears on the cover of
Peters booklet.
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State, in particular, the plans to expand capacity in our rail ports and pipelines infrastructure,
to meet the demands of our growing economy.
Mr Molefe brings a wealth of expertise to the portfolio, and his understanding of capital
markets and asset management will be invaluable as the company moves forward with its
massive infrastructure investment programme.
I am of the firm view that Mr Molefe's appointment will ensure that Transnet's contribution to
the New Growth Path is fully realised. The filling of critical vacancies within the Group also
remains a priority for the incoming CEO. This supports President Zuma's directive for
government and state owned entities to fill vacant posts within a period of six months.
Following the appointment of the Board in December, and now the Group Chief Executive,
our goal as shareholder to restore leadership stability to Transnet has been realised.
I would like to thank Mr Mafika Mkwanazi for his role in ensuring that the Board, within a
short time after assuming office, has been able to conclude the process of interviewing and
short listing candidates for appointment.
Thank you.
74
Thank you also to all of you for being so patient and supportive during this process. It has
been very heartening.
Let's give Mr Molefe our full support!
Issued by Government Communications and Transnet respectively, February 16 2011
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=22183
5&sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389
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NZ 94-829-853
78
DJ-2 26-497-972
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Carlos Response No 1
Hennie
Here goes. You have solved my long mystery.
That coach you have there is one of four CSAR coaches that still exist today. Only
shows that they did great work on these coaches.
Unfortunately I do not have their CSAR numbers but know their SAR numbers.
500 = Became at one time No 15070 a cinema training coach -probably showed safety
films. This coach is now with Umgeni Steam Railway.
501= Became No 798 and is now at George. *
502 = Became No 56 private coach now in Cape Town. *
503 = Became No 15072 did same work as 15070. Now here is the crunch. She was
used in the Pilot train in 1947 and was coupled next to Nos 244/298 Kaaiman.
She is the coach in your photo.
Here is the link to 500 at USR.
http://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za/Picture_Gallery_Coaches.php
Here is 56 in Cape Town:
http://rr-fallenflags.org/sar/sar00056akp.jpg
Here is 798 in George:
http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=145&t=7867
Now let us get to the nitty gritty. If you look at your coach (see attachment) you will
notice from your right to your left the second and third window are larger than
others. See this also on Nos 56 and 798.
No 500 is at an angle you cannot see this clearly. These large windows are part of the
lounge as these coaches were 1st class coaches and a small lounge at one end. The
small one at the end is the balcony window. If you look at No 56 she is the only one
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Carlos Response No 2
Hi Hennie
Here are some more info on those coaches:
1. Their CSAR numbers are 20554 to 20557:
20554=500
20555=501
20556=502
20557=503
2. I was right No 501 became No 798. No 502 became No 56 in 1920 and was
allocated to AGM Technical and was named "Orangia"
3. Originally CSAR M4 Became SAR C-12 at 1910.
4. In 1925 onwards to 1929 Nos 500/501/503 were observation coaches for Union
Ltd/Express. After 1929 four coaches from Belgium took over and these still exist
today as Nos 795,796,797 and private 7 which took carried Gen Smut's coffin.
5. I have a diagram of two same that CSAR built for CFM. Will try to scan these later
in the evening otherwise tomorrow/Monday.
Regards
Carlos
Carlos response No 3
Hennie
Another goodie for you:
SAR built 1915 coach for CFM.
It is a private coach with no number. I am sending drawing and photo for your next
Gazette.
Look how good she looks.
Cheers, Carlos
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CFM
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Thaba Nchu
At Thaba Nchu we got a surprise, the old station is gone and a completely new one has
been built with a new platform. The area is fenced off with palisade which is already
vandalized. A blue roof is visible on the new ticket office. The passenger shelters still
need to be covered or maybe it has disappeared already! We have heard rumors of
Metrorail bringing in a service from Bloemfontein. [On phoning Operating
Bloemfontein, it was confirmed that this was the case, but no date of introduction is
known. The road is very busy]. Here we got a Bloemfontein bound train behind blue
35 248 and orange sister. All the side panels were open on both diesels, must be heat
issues. This train must have come from Maseru as it had container trucks in the consist.
Whites
The spoorbaan are busy uplifting rails in Whites yard. Near Whites we got the return
working of the Wesselsbron pick-up behind orange 34 028. Just north of Virginia the
Welgelee / Glen Harmony shunt came past working backside first to Kroonstad, up
front was maroon 34 453.
Theunissen
On arriving at Theunissen we found both up and down signals green. First to arrive
was orange E 1329 and E 1440 OFS heading south light locos. Next was a special
passenger train heading towards Johannesburg. This was behind maroon E 1318. The
coaches were a mix of Shosholoza Meyl and Spoornet's blue and grey. The train was
quite full in the third class section. There was no dining car on this train.
Whites
Yet another diesel failure at Whites, the return working of the Bothaville pick-up,
behind blue 34 093. The TCO told us a spare loco was being sent from Kroonstad - but
that could take days!!
The diesels are not coping anymore this is the third failure we know of in two weeks.
Greetings.
J & J.
Hi all.
Orange 34 043 came through Friedesheim with a very late load of mielies heading into
the Sandveld, this was due to locomotive failures all over the show.
Virginia
Orange 34 058 headed through Virginia, light loco en-route to Kroonstad, the return
working of the Welgelee pick-up. The amount of water flowing beneath the rail
bridges at Virginia over the Sand River is quite impressive due to the Alleman's kraal
dam over flowing.
Welkom
At Welkom we got orange 34 028 working a load of empty timber trucks to Kroonstad
running backside first. This was the return working of the Friedesheim timber shunt.
Leeudoringstad
Just south of Leeudoringstad we got a northbound load of containers behind SAR
maroon E 1612 & orange E xxxx. Near Makwassie orange E 1499 headed north with
one sugar truck, now used for mielies.
Bloemhof
Orange E 1211 Cape Western headed south through Bloemhof with a very short load of
empty container trucks. While waiting for a northbound train at Bloemhof we noticed
something interesting.
Trans Namib wagons
On one of the loops we found silver painted FZ's and FP trucks, converted to convey
mielies. On further investigation we saw these were Trans Namib wagons, waiting to
be filled with export maize. The truck cards were all damaged due to the rain so no
origin could be established.
A 110 wagon ore train sped past behind 6x 18E's, of blue and TFR liveries. The speed
was too great to get any numbers; this stays an awe inspiring sight... As usual all the
crews greeted us friendly.
Algoa and Amatola
Between Kroonstad and Hennenman we got both the Algoa and Amatola running not
too late and within minutes of each other. A single orange 6E on each train, strangely
neither had dining cars on them?
Greetings, J & J
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Man I can smell the Free State and those Mielies! - HBH
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Dankie vir die pragtige Spoorwegnuusblad as n oud- en voormalige spoorwegpolisieman geniet ek dit vreeslik.
Wat moet ek doen om die nuusblad gereeld te ontvang en om ook die
voriges te bekom?
Baie dankie.
Callie van Eck
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Writing the last Matric paper on Friday 16th December, 19632. I reported for duty on
Monday 19th December, 1963 to the Goods and Passenger Superintendent, Mr.
Knight at Germiston. He took me to meet Mr. Mendel the Clerk-In-Charge of the
ground level Parcels Office. Here Messieurs. Vorster and Campbell were also
introduced, both to be my mentors. Vorster a young - but nice chap, Campbell much
older and also very friendly.
One normally had to get a bit of basic Parcels, Goods, Booking and Ticket Office
experience before going to the Railway College to receive instruction in the Goods
and Passenger Accounting procedures, including the Goods Bureau [Recently
introduced to speed up the Goods accounting system, installed by IBM]. The Parcels,
Passenger and Goods sections of the then massive RTS section were also
included. Plus the Trains Operating course, from Wooden Staff, Telegraph Orders,
van Schoor, [Automatic/Semi-Automatic], Colour Lights and later CTC.
It did not take too long to get used to the routine in this office. Here one was
introduced to Dave's boxes upon boxes of day old chicks coming in from the Delmas
area on a daily early morning train. The small blue tractor pulling a string of flat
platform tractors. This gave at first to a City kid a new sound of thousands of
chirping chicks, which soon got one down. On arrival of these chicks, one had to
phone the consignee to come and collect them, [In those days we had a "9" facility on
the counter, SAR telephone, which enabled us to obtain a GPO line, without having
to go through the local SAR exchange. With the "Tannies" always asking if it is a
private call? Others were sent out post haste by the Departmental Cartage truck,
which had been asked to be ready to load the boxes. Green "Bantam" haulers with
closed type trailers, later the large yellow "Bedford" arrived. It was a great relief to
be rid of these little noisy creatures.
One had to work two shifts 6.00am - 2/00pm and 2/00pm - 10/00pm. The morning
shift was very busy, with all the parcels to be delivered at the counter or loaded onto
the Cartage vehicles. These parcels having come in during the early morning hours.
Around tea break, which was normally snatched between delivery or receipt of
parcels and luggage, a lovely hot pie with gravy and small glass bottle of "Coke"
bought for 10c was gulped down, one of the labourers having taken orders from all
the hungry staff. The "Tante" at the platform Station Cafe, phoned to place the order.
[Often with a joking comment "Julle VREET net, wanneer werk julle lot?". [You just
eat, when do you lot work?]. Work we certainly did. The washed and empty plates
bottles being returned, no deposits having being paid. [Have an idea William was
our regular chap getting and returning these items].
97
Including normal chores at the counter, we wrote out delivery notes, documented all
received unentered consignments, checked the weight of randomly selected parcels,
checked all received paid waybills and all to pay forwarded waybills. At the larger
parcels offices a "NCR" cash register was used to print paid impressions and
progressive numbers on waybills. All small stations used Parcel Stamps pasted on
the waybills. If a Station Master had been late in sending in his six monthly parcels
stamp order or if the Railway printing works, below Jeppe station's platforms were
late with delivery of his order. One often received a waybill pasted both front and
back with lower domination stamps, quite a job to paste, cancel with station date
stamp and check that the correct amount had been used. Machine impression/parcel
stamps were proof of payment of railage charges, to pay waybills had to be paid for
at the receiving station. Perishables had to be PRE-PAID. Rates according to weight
at 1/2 or 2/3 parcels rates. These items had to be delivered/collected within 2 hours of
arrival. After this period a impromptu auction was held among station staff by a
high ranking official. Firstly the railage had to be recouped for reimbursement and
any amount above that was paid into the central claims fund, held at all System
Manager's Offices. One had to complete over charge/under charge vouchers. Handle
I & C reports [Irregularity and Claims]. Help the Office Assistants/Messengers with
filing/binding of month end packs of received/forwarded documents. Answer Way
Bill Queries. [When a station did its month end balances and filing. Any number
missing on waybills had be to be queried. One would then send a certified copy
[Luckily there was a very large rubber stamp which left an impression, to certify that
"This is a true and correct copy of ........which was fully machine imprinted/parcels
stamps attached......for R...] The clerk-in-charge having the necessary signing
authority, the S A R Police not needed. Numbers not used were indicated as "Not
Issued". The Income Auditors loved to check this aspect of the accounting system.
Plus a daily deluge of public counter/telephonic parcel rates quotes and answering
hundreds of memos received from stations in regard to late/part
lot/missing/damaged consignments and other problems. [SAR & H staff will well
remember the small sized G27, larger sized G28 memo, G32 acknowledgment and a
nasty one the very small G32a reminder pads]. On receiving a G32a the official
opening the daily canvas post bag, would place them on one side and make it a
priority to investigate, as to why there was a delay in answering these particular
correspondence items. Most came from the System Manager's Office. Some with
RED URGENT G22 tags pasted on them.
In the late afternoons most companies sent their last orders [Particularly motor spare
parts], to the parcels office for forwarding by the many passenger trains going East,
West, North, South and over the borders. This period was hectic together with lots of
luggage of passengers. Including many bi-cycles. [These went at normal parcels rate
plus 50%, being considered bulky in proportion to weight, no free luggage allowance
allowed]. The free luggage allowance only allowed on Personal Effects, luggage
98
waybills being marked just P/E to hasten helping the long queues of intending
passengers. [1st class 100lbs, 2nd class 75lbs, 3rd class 50lbs, free luggage allowance].
All tickets were stamped on the reverse side with a small rubber stamp. "Free
luggage allowance used"/"Vry bagasie toelae gebruik". Here labourers helped
immensely, weighing the items before hand, handing the passenger a small slip of
paper with weight on, another would attach the black free luggage number and
station destination stickers to the luggage. Red stickers for excess luggage [Luggage
over free allowance], a third person would stamp reverse side of the passengers
ticket.
At least with a busy day, ones shift passed by very quickly. On smaller stations with
few or sometimes only one/two trains a day, the small staff complement and Station
Master had it quite easy, with visits from local folk/farmers often with some free
fruit/vegetables. No wonder they could have such smart station gardens. However
these stations were a buzz of activity when the RTS bus arrived with
goods/passengers, then the local train arrived, after the departure of both train and
RTS bus, all returned to a sublime peacefulness at the station. This never happening
at a city station.
The person who had signed for the "Petty cash" varying from R10 to R100 depending
on number of public being served, that morning or afternoon, had to complete a
daily balance. Helped by other staff on duty. All on duty worked the cash draw to
speed up service. Any shortages shared amongst the staff in question. When cashed
up the S A R Policeman, who would always come around before 2/00pm and
10/00pm would escort him/her to the booking office, where all the stations daily cash
takings were placed in their large "Milner" safes. [Goods, Booking, Cartage, Parcel
Office staff, even Catering ladies would be escorted with Railway cash]. S A R Police
equipped with large chromed .45 revolvers in shiny leather holsters.
One never thought that the parcels stamps would disappear in the late eighties, with
the formation of "PX" and it accompanying computer based accounting/payment
systems. I should have gone to one of the then many open smaller stations and
purchased a set of these parcels stamps, which would have been reflected in the
stations cash sales only, with no waybill being issued, there would have been no
missing number hence no query from another station. These stamps were printed as
follows; 1c, 5c 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R5, R10. SAS/SAR embossed, over a pattern, each
denomination in another colour..
I can remember well one afternoon, during the December 1963 holidays, when an
elderly gentleman, in a suit and tie, arrived with a porter and barrow, with some
luggage for the "Trans Natal" van. Handing in a 1st class free pass*, one immediately
got the idea of his status. [His age, dress and 1st class free pass, giving it all away, as
being an important SAR official]. On helping him in a prompt and smart manner, off
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went the porter. This gentleman, taking hold of my right hand and giving me a shiny
50c coin, saying: "Baie dankie". My first tip [50c was five days lunches]. Porter saying
"Hy is 'n grootkop" [He is an important person].
Our salary then was R75pm increasing to R100pm on handing in ones matric
certificate, which took a while. My first full salary at the end of January, 1964 was
R54 plus a few cents. R20 and a few cents deducted, for PAYE, Pension, Sick Fund,
Guarantee Fund [All staff working with cash had this deducted as a insurance
against very large cash shortages] and "Salstaff" The staff association for all salaried
members. Staff representatives getting hold of one on the first or second day at
work, the older employees backing them up and the new entrant signing the
necessary stop order for 10c.
Other early deductions were for "SASSAR" magazine and "The Railway Messenger""Die Spoorweg Bode" and "ATKV" [Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuur Vereeniging - still
going with holiday resorts at Uvongo, Warmbad, Rawsonville and Hartenbos], then
all at very small monthly subscriptions.
[At the beginning of 2010, I received the last "Railway Messenger" after 90 years of
publication. Due to the staff establishment of 265,000 in the 20th century to less than
70,000 today, members subscriptions dropped dramatically and costs of the "Railway
Messenger" staff and printing the booklet could be no longer be met].
Group "A" - Salstaff, Group "B" - Artisan staff, Group "C" - Running staff,, Group "D"
- Shunting staff, Group "E" - Goods shed/Cartage/RTS staff, Group F - Miscellaneous
grades staff. Blatu was the SAR & H black staff union, later SARHWU was also
recognized. Many hours of working time were lost with Union meetings taking
place during business hours.
*1st class Tickets/Free Passes/Service Passes/Scholars Passes were WHITE, 2nd class
PINK and 3rd class GREEN. Even PTO application forms in the same colours, except
monthly season tickets PTO application forms 1/2 Price YELLOW and 1/4 price
BLUE, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class white with GREEN top bottom strips.
Getting to work in the mornings was no problem taking a Pretoria/
Springs/Vereeniging bound suburban to Germiston, there were plenty of them. At
night it was a bit of a problem, having to wait for a train, there being few at 10/00pm.
Fortunately a Station Inspector had seen me on a few occasions and asked where I
was going. On hearing to Johannesburg and also being informed that I worked in the
parcels office, he advised me always to wait on platform 2. [Platform 1 a dead
end for Union/Alberton/Booysens trains]. On platform 1 an Empty Suburban Rolling
Stock train would go through just after 10/00pm. It always stopped for all the other
Railway staff on their way to Braamfontein/Johannesburg. This was a nonstop and
fast trip. A very short stop to alight at Johannesburg and a quick dash to Joubert or
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Eloff streets, to catch one of the last diesel/trolley busses to Yeoville, got me home in
no time at all.
THAT WAS THE GOOD OLD SAR & H, with proud hard working staff, going that
bit further, to keep the wheels running smoothly, trains on time and keeping the
general public content.
Good old greetings,
John and Jacque Wepener
Carlos Vieira
Dag Oom,
I have a nice little surprise for you. The photos I am sending have on their titles their
description.
I want to call to your attention lot 2 (photo 1) which has a Hospital train in Colenso
with a flat roof coach which these were common in CGR especially this length. As
you know NZASM did use some.
Picture below reads "Signal apparatus of HMS Forte and used nightly to
communicate with Ladysmith".
On lot 3 Photo 1 the famous "Hairy Mary" or "Havelock" first loco built in SA by
NGR.
I have a feeling that I have made your day!
Groete, Carlos
Dear Carlos thank you very much, you made my day! We will place your photo on
a regular basis. Thank you for your passion regarding our Railways!
Piet Venter
Greetings
Thank
you
for
the
fantastic
3rd
edition,
read
some
on
the
101
Vonkpos Nr 2
Dags Hennie.
Ek was Donderdag by 'n ontsporing in die Hercules erf gewees en het by "Friends of
the Rail" 'n ou lokale trein motorwa gesien. Ek wil kyk of ek fotos kan neem.
Piet Venter
Here
are
some
pictures
of
the
motor
wagon
at
Friends
of
the
No 5070
Bellville: E219 & E220 on 8 April 19533: George James, Jim Pepper & Cowboy
Matthee
3
4
103
Nalv die feit dat die spoorwe geneig was om n volgende op die lys-patroon te volg,
blyk dit dat die twee susters was (of miskien kon wees).
Personeel aan boord is vlnr drywer George Lord Haw-Haw James, Lokoinspekteur James Jim Pepper en assistent JW Cowboy Matthee.
Drywer James is later ernstig beseer in n ongeluk met E239 by Hexrivier tydens n
botsing wat veroorsaak is deur n 15F stoomdrywer en n stasievoorman; n ongeluk
wat nooit moes gebeur het nie!
Loko-insp Pepper was bekend dat hy altyd n Western paperback of twee by hom
gehad het; iets wat destyds baie gewild was en deesdae onbekend is.
Ass JW Matthee is die enigste oorlewende lid van die bemanning en bly vandag
rens in die Transvaal by sy dogter. JW was baie netjies en n regimental-type
weermag-sersant model, altyd met n das en hoed, kompleet met n swart lyfband en
pearl handle Colt .45 vasgebind aan sy regterbeen.
Hy het die titel Cowboy verkies want hy was baie sensitief oor die gebruik van sy
naam Joachim. Hy kon n pistool hanteer!
Die trein was gelaai met oa BBP-spoorwegmense en lede van die Nasionale Party.
Twee eenhede is gebruik vir die feestrein, blykbaar het die tweede 4E maar net
saamgetrek as n spaar. Die eenhede staan in wat lyk soos die destydse platform 2.
Let op die pragtige ontwerpte kop-bord (waar sou dit vandag wees?) Die ou
voerbrug, die belaglike skuilings wat vandag nog staan, op die agtergrond perron 4
en LW die isolators in die lugdraad bokant die lokomotiewe. Blykbaar om 3 KV
noord te skei van 1,5 KV suid. Interessant die swaar dubbelkaats pantograwe;
waarom die agterste 4E dood is, is nie duidelik nie, miskien te wyte aan verskille in
kragspanning.
Die Mambas is groen met eksperimentele geel strepe, let op dat vorige ontwerpe
en lyne uitgevee of uitgeverf is blykbaar met n PVA-tipe kleursel. Die strepe is
natuurlik daarna verander na die kat-snor -strepe voor die gesig en nog veel later,
groen met drie triple merke.
Baie is bespiegel oor die 4Es van destydse oorspronklike depots en indienslewering.
Tydens die foto van April 1953 is dit duidelik dat al 40 4Es nog nie eens gebou is
nie. Hoeveel in Natal en Johannesburg was, is ook nie bekend nie.
104
No E247 was glo beslis in Braamfontein en of die 4Es in volgorde na SRX gestuur is,
weet ons ook nie; ook nie of al die eenhede al die kleurskemas gedra het nie. Wat
egter duidelik is, die 4Es is gebou vir die Wes-Kaap se toekomstige tonnels, juis is
die eenhede toegerus met vakuum-kontroles wat ingeval van kragonderbrekings op
110V batterye kan loop, afdraand uit n tonnel met trein en al. Die tonnels het nooit
(of te laat) vir hulle gekom, slegs no E258 (nee E228) vir die opening van Hexton,
April 1989; 1 op 66-helling. Omdat die krag nie in 1952 gereed was vir die 4Es in
Kaapland, moes hulle eers in Natal gaan litte losmaak. Selfs na 1953 kon die
lokomotiewe nie suid van Soetendal in terugvoering (Regen) ry nie. So met n
dual vrag van 1150 ton x 100 asse of 695 x 74 enkel, moes hulle maar op oeroue
hellings van 1 op 40 (CGR); selfs 1 op 38 by Tonnel maar aanswoeg op skerp draaie
wat nooit aangepas is nie, baie steiler en skerper as Natal. Indien hul rame moes
kraak het dit op Matroosberg gebeur en nie op Majuba nie!
Drywer VC Saayman
Baie dankie Drywer lekker om van die ou dae te hoor! Saluut! - HBH
105
Nearly 150 min late but still lekker! Alex being met
by Peter!
FKJ-3 79-529-186 :
Ammonium Nitraat
In the background the Krugersdorp
Abattoir built 1935
OLJ-5 79-529-186
Slurry PPY
106
Conclusion / Slot
Please send in your old photographs and old railway stories anything about our
Railways!
Next issue sometime in March 2011.
Greetings!
Groete!
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