Trans Karoo arriving at Jo'burg 1995

[Andreas Umnus]

When I was in Jo'burg at the station and was waiting for the Trans-Karoo to Cape Town, (I think) I was taking a picture of the running late Trans-Karoo from Cape Town. But maybe it was the train I wanted to ride with - sure is I took a photo of the Trans-Karoo.

I took this photo in the year 1995.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Looks like they used to polish the Loco's way back when. We did the Transkaroo in Jan 1995. I was suprised when we were hauled by 5E's

[Ashley Peter]

As the train is arriving in Johannesburg station from the Braamfontein (West) side, it is almost certainly the Trans-Karoo from Cape Town pulling into Johannesburg. In those days the train, or at least part of it, used to continue on to Pretoria. My, how those 5E1's shine - there was definitely a pride in the job those days - just a pity the coach colour transformation had already begun!!

[Greg Hart]

Ashley,
Isn't the panto's suppose to be up at the back?? or is that just old Natal style??

[Ashley Peter]

Different Regions seem to have different policies - and they change from time to time... Arguments for running with front panto up are advanced as this tends to keep grease off the windscreens of following units, whilst the back panto operation supposedly gives the driver ever so slightly more time to take evasive action (i.e. drop the panto/s) should there be an obstruction observed in or on the overhead wires.... I've heard even more recently that the single arm pantos should, where possible, be run with the arm leading - supposedly less susceptible to hook-ups in this mode.

Anyone else have any info on "draadkar" operation?