Caledon Goods Story - 2

[John Ashworth]

All photos by Chris Janisch, January 2008

We the journeyed on to Caledon, in 35 deg plus heat with windows down providing the aircon! The station was full of grain trucks and a 35 diesel was making up a load of grain. We wandered around the yard and found 4 blue and 1 orange 35s nearby. The blue locos were being coupled together by a rather large instant assistant, while the pilot completed the load of around 30 bogies. Interestingly, all the grain was destined for Newlands Brewery. Apparently the processed grain is then returned to Caledon for use in animal feeds. There were some coal empties on the rear of the train. The TCO advised us that the train would be leaving at 2.15pm. We went over to the old loco area and inspected the old column and turntable, out of use of course, and were able to see the remnants of the ashpits. There are 4 cabooses on site used by Infra.
PICS 4 AND 5

While we were busy, the four blue 35s had coupled together elephant-style onto the train, making a nice neat consist. We then found a spot for a departure shot, and found an old graveyard on the outskirts of town. The diesels can catch out a steam gricer quite easily, and the train approached quicker than I thought- but I still managed the shot!
PIC 6

Stopping for some essential liquid sustenance, we found ourselves behind the train which had already crossed the N2 and was powering its way up the valley. We managed a few sightings in the distance before catching him again at a road bridge. From this vantage point one could see the train snaking its way up from Mission with a magnificent backdrop of mountains. There was even a full lake available to add to the photographic scenery!
PICS 7 AND 8