Some positive for a change from the Cape :)

[Luca Lategan]

Went to Bellville by train today after a long absence and was pleasantly surprised.

New TCO being trained on lever frames at Stellenbosch. (He was previously one of the ticket controllers)
Crossed a test 10M3 train on the Stellenbosch loop at Lyndoch, not the first time I see this working taking place.
Saw loaded hoppers at the stone/gravel quarry siding at Eersteriver, they struggled to get rail trucks delivered to them because of a motive power shortage.
Track maintenance crew busy on line to Faure just beyond split at north end of station.
Crossed a long load of wooden sleepers in about four DZs and many grain wagons behind about three 34's at Blackheath on their way to Caledon.
Crossed the pickup at Kuilsriver with three 36's, a shunter’s wagon and about eight wagons full of scrap metal for the metal works near the station.
Track work being done at Silos near Bellville with their little shunter busy moving grey grain wagons around.

Also work being done at Eersteriver widening the heavily congested footbridge and building ramps, possibly for wheelchair use. New directional signage at Eersteriver and Kuilsriver in bright new yellow and easy to read and understand. Literally hundreds of cars parked at Kuilsriver station, both in the Business Express area and elsewhere. New parking being built as well. Some of this must be for 2010 as they intend to use the station as part of the park'n'ride initiative.

On my way back, my train crossed another freight coming from Caledon to Bellville with grain wagons.

And all of this on the 29km stretch between Stellenbosch and Bellville, things looking well on PRASA and TFR side!

Unfortunately my experience with the wonderful Golden Arrow busses wasn’t as positive.

[Dylan Knott]

Class 34's on the way to Caledon?!! Don't u mean 35's?

[Luca Lategan]

Een of ander parafienkokkorot

[Dylan Knott]

Nee! It makes a difference to me which class it was. 34's cannot go up the pass in first place.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Why?

[Dylan Knott]

its a branchline and axle loading is 18.5 tons max to Caledon. Beyond that its 16.5 tons. A 34 is a heavy loco with a 20 ton axle loading.

[Luca Lategan]

It wasn't big enough for a 34 so maybe it was 35's