SANRASM visit on Saturday, 31st May 2008.
Posted: 02 Jun 2008, 22:36
Two decades after I join SANRASM as a junior member, and started to participate in the activities of SANRASM as firstly a locomotive cleaner, and other assorted junior duties, I returned recently to SANRASM as a non-member to see their developements since my last visit on New Years' Day 2003, or should I rather write the lack thereof.
As I recently reported that SANRASM has recently suspended their operational "Open Day" activities at their Millsite (South site) venue since early this year.
When I arrived at the gate, I was greeted by a Zimbabwean National how is employed there as security staff. Was not much trouble to encourage him and his collegues to let me in with my friends.
After entering it is immediately and clearly apparent that very little, and probably safely say that there is realy nothing going on at all. It's very apparent at the first sight with not even the lawn weeded or mowed.
I first walked up to Class 6A No. 454, clearly showing signs of neglect, rushed motion, paint peeling from the outer cab roof and cab side, oil feeders left lying and rusting in a half filled bucket of rust coloured water, which was left lying on the buncker box in the weather. Oil bottles half filled with oil with no caps on to prevent the oils from being contaminated, and so the list of neglect carries on regardless . . . .
Kitty and Hunslet both once the pride and joy of ESKOM, now the deficient soul electric supplier to SA. Both locos have lost all their brass and copper, motion rusting away as each day, month, and year passes while these loco try to brave the harsh elements of the Gauteng weather!
It's not only the motive power that is being neglected, it is the rolling stock as well. Real Heritage passenger coaches that need a shed more than anything else, and some serious, TLC. My pictures attached describe the conditions better than I will ever in writing!
Will SANRASM ever decided to change their negative views, and join SIA, and come to the party of contributing positively to rail heritage, or is the stubbornness going to continue to that organizations own determinant?
We'll patiently have to wait and see, like a pack of . . . . .
As I recently reported that SANRASM has recently suspended their operational "Open Day" activities at their Millsite (South site) venue since early this year.
When I arrived at the gate, I was greeted by a Zimbabwean National how is employed there as security staff. Was not much trouble to encourage him and his collegues to let me in with my friends.
After entering it is immediately and clearly apparent that very little, and probably safely say that there is realy nothing going on at all. It's very apparent at the first sight with not even the lawn weeded or mowed.
I first walked up to Class 6A No. 454, clearly showing signs of neglect, rushed motion, paint peeling from the outer cab roof and cab side, oil feeders left lying and rusting in a half filled bucket of rust coloured water, which was left lying on the buncker box in the weather. Oil bottles half filled with oil with no caps on to prevent the oils from being contaminated, and so the list of neglect carries on regardless . . . .
Kitty and Hunslet both once the pride and joy of ESKOM, now the deficient soul electric supplier to SA. Both locos have lost all their brass and copper, motion rusting away as each day, month, and year passes while these loco try to brave the harsh elements of the Gauteng weather!
It's not only the motive power that is being neglected, it is the rolling stock as well. Real Heritage passenger coaches that need a shed more than anything else, and some serious, TLC. My pictures attached describe the conditions better than I will ever in writing!
Will SANRASM ever decided to change their negative views, and join SIA, and come to the party of contributing positively to rail heritage, or is the stubbornness going to continue to that organizations own determinant?
We'll patiently have to wait and see, like a pack of . . . . .