Friends of the Rail Forum

The most obvious and no doubt largest of these lines would have been the New Cape Central Railway (NCCR) from Worcester to George (and beyond?), which remained in private hands until 1925.

Looks like the generator car - remember that the other end has an observation car.

I hope this reply doesn't come up half a dozen times! I seem to be having issues with the "tab key", which appears to either send or delete (I don't know which yet!) whatever has been typed without warning...!! The train you are referring to would be "7-Down", the daily semi-fast train from Cape ...

The correct terminology is actually "derail" - the term "derailer" appears to have been railway slang but with regular and common use, now seems to have become more or less the generally accepted name... There were various types of derail, the ones that are mechanically or electrically operated ...

I seem to recall seeing electrically operated semaphores at Noupoort many years ago. Also have a recollection that wire-operated signals become problematic after 2 200ft (670m), or was that the distance after which signals had to be operated by double-wire?? Any signal construction experts out there?

Different Regions seem to have different policies - and they change from time to time... Arguments for running with front panto up are advanced as this tends to keep grease off the windscreens of following units, whilst the back panto operation supposedly gives the driver ever so slightly more time ...

As the train is arriving in Johannesburg station from the Braamfontein (West) side, it is almost certainly the Trans-Karoo from Cape Town pulling into Johannesburg. In those days the train, or at least part of it, used to continue on to Pretoria. My, how those 5E1's shine - there was definitely a ...

And as usual, someone has got it horribly wrong!! Apart from the claim that diesels are "more reliable and faster" than steam locos (perhaps it is because I've done most of my travels since the 1970's - but I can say without a doubt that I have experienced way more diesel loco failures than ever ...

I gather that the initial amount of work done on the line has proved ineffective and subsequent spring tides have done even more damage - unconfirmed report now puts the repair estimate at R8million - and private contractors will have to be appointed - the Simonstown line could remain closed for ...

At one stage I believe that "smart cables" were in use but Geoff was under the impression that everything was done by radio nowadays. Would be interesting to know how this means of communication handles rugged terrain, as the coastal section has some quite serious cuttings and, I think, even tunnels ...

Hi Aidan - Geoff Bennett gave the RSSA Natal Branch an illustrated talk on the OREX line at our monthly meeting on 16 December and this bridge featured prominently. It is claimed to be the longest incrementally launched structure in the world and makes the massive iron ore trains look tiny by ...

Hi Steve - At least the Rayton - Cullinan section is only 9km long - maintenance could possible be manageable, even for a volunteer preservation group - our line is 45km long and abounds in 1:30 gradients and 90m radius curves. In fact, probably 10km or more of the line has check-rail curves ...

Latest count up to 300 sleepers... TFR have at least finally come to the party and are assisting with two gangs. 22 sleepers replaced yesterday (Wednesday) and 60 so far today. Still a long way to go with USR trains booked from 06:30 on Sunday!!

At least in the more civilised countries they adopted a reasonably reliable braking system for their trains; headlights and cowcatchers on locos and even enclosed cabs for the footplate crews... :-)

Yes, but at least the current lot on the Tourist Trains are trying to provide a reasonable variety of meals - BJ's seemed to be based on the old US "greasy spoon" concept where everything was an awful fry-up, dripping in what tasted like old oil. According to my kids the only thing they got right on ...