Derailment near Kimberley

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John Ashworth
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Derailment near Kimberley

Post by John Ashworth »

Also see text at Kamfersdam Junction derailment: eye-witness account
Peter Odell wrote: By the time I reached my roof today[about 10.30], the outgoing train which had been waiting at the red signal [shown] only inches away from the overturned 10E had been towed away making the scene less dramatic. It still looks very much the same now, 24 hours since the derailment. And tomorrow is "pay friday" when all maintenance work normally stops at 12 anyway........ One can see the 4 derailed 10E,s and 3 or 4 jacknifed airbraked ore trucks. The 100 [usually] wagons curve round onto the Postmasburg line past our imposing Casino, and the famous Flamingo breeding "Kamfersdam" can be seen behind in the junction of Postmasburg & Warrenton lines.

Limited traffic has been towed past the site by 2 diesels, using the nearest line which remains clear. This is the Kimberley "Outer" avoiding line. Previously "off limits" to passenger trains when requested to use it by a steam train some years ago, now happily accommodating Rovos Rail with no questions asked !

And 2 weeks today, Oscar will be passing on this same train,no doubt on the normal line to Kimberley Hbf. by then.

Just by chance I have a ladder propped up to my roof, as I,m reluctantly tackling the repainting thereof !
Such views from ones residence..............alas not to compare with those flats overlooking Waterloo in 1966, but who would have spent any time in them ???

Here is southbound Rovos Rail being dragged past the derailment by Red Spoornet diesel "Winston Churchill" and a Blue Spoornet diesel. Dead electrics are Red S.A.R. 6E1 and Orange Spoornet 6E1. All defunct liverys. !

By now [appx 11.30] the Beaconsfield breakdown train and Crane have been shunted into position, but at the time of writing [22.45] have yet to see action.

One corner of my "Atlantic wall" defences are just visible at the bottom.
Photos and text by Peter Odell, 26 August 2010
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Jez Smith
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Re: Derailment near Kimberley

Post by Jez Smith »

I have apparently spent MANY hours outside your home, Mr Odell. Jack Shushu and Bertie Mybergh at Beaconsfield have told me many stories about you, but I did not know you lived by the Flamingo Casino. I have had many a breakfast at 'Utra City' watching the manganese trains from Lime Acres heading to Kimberley behind 6x18Es. We must meet up when I visit again in 2012 - I would be fascinated to hear your tales from the footplate in SA.

Regards,
Jez Smith, Liverpool

As an aside, it is fortunate, I guess, that the 10Es are so close to Beaconsfield Depot with it's excellent heavy repair facility, which seems to specialise in 10Es...!
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