Witbank 2007 - the day of the race by Nathan Berelowitz

[John Ashworth]

The day of the race - pictures and text by our renowned flasher, Nathan Berelowitz, 25/08/07

1. The morning of the Middelburg Marathon was rather dull and grey. Awaiting their turn to cross rails and couple onto the load at Witbank, are the 19D and 15CA locomotives, 2650 and 2056.

2. The cab of 15CA 2056, and the double valve regulator handle exiting the boiler centre. This class of loco was fitted with two types of regulators. The other being the multiple valve, as found on most locomotives. Witbank August 2007.

3. Reef Steamers crew in their 15CA loco . Witbank station prior to the Middelburg marathon start.

4. The section from Witbank to Middelburg has many twists and turns. This one enables us to look back on the Marathon train as Kobus Steyn and John Dadford look on at the two locomotives progress.

5. Machine can beat man, so at some point a stop is made to enable the runners of the Witbank- Middelburg Marathon to catch up. Here we see flag bedecked 2650 and her Reef Steamers mate 2056 the 15CA not far from Middelburg.