garrats Voorbaai

Steam motive power and operations in Southern Africa
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Dylan Knott
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Location: Cape Town

garrats Voorbaai

Post by Dylan Knott »

Anyone know if there are any operational garrats at Voorbaai?
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Malcolm Wilton-Jones
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Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Malcolm Wilton-Jones »

I visited Voorbaai earlier this month (6th March) and was told that only 3 19D's remain operational. 3324 was working George to Mossel Bay on the 4th, 5th & 6th but was failed on the third day and replaced by 2649 ROSIE for the return to George. It was not clear which one was the third as several were being worked on but I was told there was no money available for returning any others to use. One Garratt appeared to be in reasonable condition. Further details later, I took lots of photo's and some will be posted at my fotopic site later, so far I have only posted some from George Museum, they can be seen at http://g.e.r.fotopic.net/c1469633.html. Links from this page will lead you to lots more pictures.
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Dylan Knott
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Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Dylan Knott »

Thanks. Certainly sounds very sad. Only three 19D's in use?!
Look forward to all the photos.
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Malcolm Wilton-Jones
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Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Malcolm Wilton-Jones »

My pictures are now available for viewing at:
http://g.e.r.fotopic.net/c1490999.html
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Dylan Knott
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Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Dylan Knott »

Thanks, excellent photos.

A very sad state of affairs at Voorbaai. Only 3 x 19D's and 1 x 24 in use. All the other 24's have been stripped. 3675 has been inside the works for over a year and little progress noted. Most stored 19D's also missing fittings etc.
2649 looks brilliant though!
Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

And their likely future?

Nice pics Malcolm - see you also do birds (like me!).
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Dylan Knott
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Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Dylan Knott »

At this rate there won't be a future. I can't see anyone making any decisions either.
Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

Yup - I often sit back and debate on what will be around in 5 and 10 years......
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Malcolm Wilton-Jones
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Re: garrats Voorbaai

Post by Malcolm Wilton-Jones »

Kevin Wilson-Smith wrote: Nice pics Malcolm - see you also do birds (like me!).
Thanks. Yes, helps to pass the time while waiting for steam trains and keeps my wife happy!
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