Hercules - more track-laying

[John Ashworth]

Track work is progressing at the western entrance to the site. The point in front of the perway depot is being prepared for lifting and relocating inside our gate. It will be replaced with plain track. Some concrete sleepers are in place, and rails are being prepared for laying. James Smith is supervising the work.

Photos by John Ashworth 22nd December 2008

[Chris Janisch]

Starting to look like the real deal now. Good work guys.

[John Ashworth]

Maybe I should add that the initial aim is to get some track laid for storage purposes, as we are still under pressure from Rovos Rail to get as much of our stuff as we can out of Capital Park, as quickly as possible. The point will be relaid inside the gate and two parallel storage tracks will then be laid, as long as possible. Virtually all of our vehicles will then fit in, including the fireless locos and SANRASM's dead locos.

Once those have been moved, the plan is to keep only the operational steam locos (2650, 3117 and 3664) and perhaps a caboose and tool van or two at CPK. The locos can't be based at Hercules until an inspection pit and coal and water facilities are in place. We will probably surrender one of our three sidings at CPK to Rovos, and we will also shorten our fenced area, probably to the old gates which can still be seen in the middle of our compound there.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Nice to see progress. Station lighting on the eastern platform has also been attended too!