Rovos Rail fire

[John Ashworth]

There are reports of a fire at Rovos Rail's depot last night. Eleven vehicles are reported to be seriously damaged.

[Gabor Kovacs]

From Pretoria News Wesite.

http://www.pretorianews.co.za/?fSection ... 659C654292

Luxury train coaches catch fire
22 May 2008, 09:43

Fourteen coaches of the Rovos Rail luxury train were gutted by fire at a docking yard in Pretoria, Tshwane emergency services said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Johan Pieterse said the train caught fire at about 11.30pm on Wednesday night; however, the cause of the fire was not yet known.

"There were no injuries," he said.

The damaged caused by the fire was estimated at millions of rands. - Sapa

[John Ashworth]

We've begun posting pictures of the Rovos Rail fire at http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... .php?f=145

[John Ashworth]

I saw a Rovos Rail train passing Hercules shortly before noon today with at least one dolly on the front, so it's still business as usual. I couldn't see whether there was a second loco or not, nor how long the train was.

[John Ashworth]

Statement from Rovos:

----Original Message-----
From: Rovos Rail News [mailto:news@...]
Sent: 22 May 2008 15:13
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Rovos Rail Fire - Wed 21 May 2008

Dear Colleagues

Last night (Wed 21 May 2008) at approx 11 pm a fire broke out in a
section of one our 4 train sets, parked at Rovos Rail's Private
Station in Capital Park, Pretoria. Nobody was on board at the time and
there were no injuries. A total of 12 carriages were destroyed and the
rest of the train set was saved. The cause of the fire is at this
stage unknown and is being investigated.

As the fire took place on the 4th train set, which is usually used for
special events and private charters, all scheduled departures are
currently unaffected. It's "business as usual" for Rovos Rail. All
forthcoming scheduled journeys will operate as per the existing
schedules.

Any press/media enquiries can be referred directly to David Patrick
david@... or tel +27-83-256-0930

[John Ashworth]

ROVOS RAIL FIRE
Friday, 23 May 2008

Fire broke out in a Rovos Rail set parked at the company’s Capital Park (Pretoria) station at about 23:00 on 21 May. Nobody was on board at the time and there were no injuries. Twelve carriages were completely destroyed but the rest of the set was saved. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage and is being investigated.

As the fire occurred on the company’s fourth train set – used usually for special events and private charters - all currently scheduled forthcoming journeys and departures are unaffected and will operate as planned.

Railways Africa

[John Ashworth]

From sar-L

Hi all
I was at Rovos this morning and its very much business as usual, I don't know
how they do it but they do. They have been busy changing consists to suit the
loadings but have not cancelled any trains or passengers.
Twelve coaches written off, four damaged, could have been a lot worse.
Unfortunately one heritage coach was destroyed, namely A-22 195 Shangani. This
was the first A-22 purchased by Rovos Rail having been rescued in very poor
condition from sidings at Natalspruit.

Regards