Friends of the Rail Forum

The blue 14E's are a vast improvement, but their colour is not exactly the same as the train itself. I still think the 14E's are very ungainly looking locomotives, but understand the logic of using a dual voltage locomotive on this train. Still think the 6E1's painted in blue were more pleasing to ...

On one hand they say the current number of passengers is below expetation and claim a subsidy from government for this and then on the other hand they say passenger numbers exceed their expertations. It's just confusing.

They constantly claim that the system is designed to convey 100,000 passengers ...

Thanks to you all for your inputs. I've just realised that this type of transition does not only take place at Beaufort West, but must also take place at quite a few places like Kimberley, Beaconsfield and Pyramid, amongst others wherever 3KW DC tracks meet 25KW AC tracks.

Thanks Al, it makes sense.

One would think that for safety reasons, every operational line would be checked/monitored at least once a day, like what used to be done by the "Spoorbaan Gangs" in the old days.

I really enjoy the 2 Natal routes and run them often. As a matter of interest, is anyone working on any new routes for South Africa, for example Worcester to Beaufort West or Merriman to De Aar.

Looks like the site is no longer operational. What a pity.

I agree. The train looked much smarter when the locos were also blue. I can't understand why they just don't paint the 14E's blue.

I did a trip from Hatfiled to Midrand over the weekend and must say that despite it being extremely busy, it was great. The stations and trains are spotless and everythig ran smoothly. Just can't believe how quiet the train is when travelling at 160km/h.

Anyone got any ideas on this one.

They were supposed to have started operating today and I was hoping to take a trip from Hatfield to Johannesburg sometime over the weekend. Looks like my plans have been dashed. Why does this not supprise me?

When the line from Beaufort West to De Aar was electrified many years ago, they used 25kV AC 7E locomotives on the route. The trains from Cape Town to De Aar were hauled by 4E, 5E, 5E1 and 6E1 3kV DC locomotives. At Beaufort West, the 3kV DC locos would uncouple and proceed to the loco shed. Only ...

Ashley

Thanks, you made my day. Your information will indeed help me to make the activity more realistic.

Hilton

I have a few photos which might be of interest to you. I can't seem to be able to send (PM or EMAIL) them to you on this site. Give me you e-mail address and I will e-mail them to you directly.

Rob
robertj@absa.co.za

Hi

I am busy creating an activity in MS Train Simulator based on the old 9pm Mail Passenger Train that used to run daily from Cape Town to Johannesburg and Pretoria with coaches to Durban, Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Windhoek on certain days. As far as I can remember, it ...