Trainman's Past Trains: Witbank

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John Ashworth
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Trainman's Past Trains: Witbank

Post by John Ashworth »

Photos and captions by Nathan Berelowitz
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On the shunt in Witbank yard, this 15AR lays a smokey trail. Witbank had an "S" class as well but mostly there were 15CA and CB. 1970
On the shunt in Witbank yard, this 15AR lays a smokey trail. Witbank had an "S" class as well but mostly there were 15CA and CB. 1970
SAR 15AR WITBANK.jpg (77.52 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
During the early to mid 1970s, there was much work on the Eastern line especially from Witbank to Eerstefabrieke, with electrification and track alignment. The poor electrics had to have better alignments from steam, so there were many sections where curves and gradients were taken out. Here we pass on the old formation near Wakefield where later in the day we would return on the new track. The 15CA we were in was on a goods to Pretoria from Witbank. 1975
During the early to mid 1970s, there was much work on the Eastern line especially from Witbank to Eerstefabrieke, with electrification and track alignment. The poor electrics had to have better alignments from steam, so there were many sections where curves and gradients were taken out. Here we pass on the old formation near Wakefield where later in the day we would return on the new track. The 15CA we were in was on a goods to Pretoria from Witbank. 1975
SAR 15CA WITBANK.jpg (80.76 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
Old on the right and new on the left! Our 15CA is now making history as the first steam hauled train over this section en route Capital Park from<br />Witbank.<br />1975
Old on the right and new on the left! Our 15CA is now making history as the first steam hauled train over this section en route Capital Park from
Witbank.
1975
SAR 15CA WITBANK0001.jpg (82.59 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
Traffic was very heavy and the track alignments made for some serious bottlenecking. On the return to Witbank from Capital Park, the trains would fill all the loops especially at Balmoral, waiting for a clear path in the Witbank yards. Here we stand at Balmoral with another Witbank 15CA drawing in alongside.
Traffic was very heavy and the track alignments made for some serious bottlenecking. On the return to Witbank from Capital Park, the trains would fill all the loops especially at Balmoral, waiting for a clear path in the Witbank yards. Here we stand at Balmoral with another Witbank 15CA drawing in alongside.
SAR 15CA WITBANK0002.jpg (74.05 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
Witbank yard and two high stepping locos are getting ready to depart for Pretoria. The first loco is a class 15CA whilst the second is a 15CB. Not much visual difference can be seen here, but there was. The CB's were withdrawn from here soon after and some ended up at Millsite.
Witbank yard and two high stepping locos are getting ready to depart for Pretoria. The first loco is a class 15CA whilst the second is a 15CB. Not much visual difference can be seen here, but there was. The CB's were withdrawn from here soon after and some ended up at Millsite.
SAR 15CA +CB WITBANK.jpg (91.76 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
A short train departs Bronkhorstpruit for Witbank after spending the day on the shunt there. Witbank depot had this as a shunt duty even though it was virtually half way to Pretoria. This is the old formation.
A short train departs Bronkhorstpruit for Witbank after spending the day on the shunt there. Witbank depot had this as a shunt duty even though it was virtually half way to Pretoria. This is the old formation.
SAR 15CA WITBANK0004.jpg (58.79 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
Bronkhorstpruit was the half way point between Capital Park and Witbank. The locomotives would clean fire and take water, with 12 minutes being allotted to this task. The columns were swing over trunk types, requiring the Fireman to first get hold of the  gantry chain, climb up on the tender and then swing over the gantry arm, climb down and turn on the water valve, get back in the cab, clean fire and then remember to turn off the water! Note the coal trimmers.
Bronkhorstpruit was the half way point between Capital Park and Witbank. The locomotives would clean fire and take water, with 12 minutes being allotted to this task. The columns were swing over trunk types, requiring the Fireman to first get hold of the gantry chain, climb up on the tender and then swing over the gantry arm, climb down and turn on the water valve, get back in the cab, clean fire and then remember to turn off the water! Note the coal trimmers.
SAR 15CA WITBANK0003.jpg (73.61 KiB) Viewed 1413 times
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Nathan Berelowitz
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Re: Trainman's Past Trains: Witbank

Post by Nathan Berelowitz »

Fantastic stuff to see. The Bronkhorspruit water columns were spaced for a double header. You can see how the chain was hanging to the ground and the water valve on the left hand column.
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