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Transcript of Ulolwe Vol 2 Issue 11
1
THE ULOLWE
SOUTH AFRICA – SUID-AFRIKA
A monthly railway research / historical publication
‘n Maandelikse spoorweg historiese en navorsing publikasie
Vol 2 No 12
Un-official / Nie-Amptelik - Gratis Everything to do with the
former SA Railways: i.e.
lighthouses, harbours, staff,
photos, books, RMT,
stations, tugs, SAR Police,
SAA, catering, pipelines,
stamps, models, rolling
stock, armoured trains,
diagrams, etc
Hennie Heymans, Pretoria, ZA
December 2011
[Photo: Hennie Heymans]
Patron - Les Pivnic - Beskermheer
2
Contents
Welcome - Welkom .................................................................................................................................... 4
Front Cover - Voorblad ............................................................................................................................. 5
Editorial ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Main Story / Hoofberig - Shaun Carl le Roux ........................................................................................ 5
Bloutrein loop ’n bloutjie - Leighton Koopman ............................................................................. 5
Wepener’s Perambulations – Jacque Wepener [Welkom] .................................................................... 7
Hennie Heymans’ perambulations ........................................................................................................ 13
Railway History ....................................................................................................................................... 16
- CGR: ................................................................................................................................................. 17
- NGR ................................................................................................................................................. 17
- OVSS ................................................................................................................................................ 17
- NZASM : Rosa Swanepoel ................................................................................................................... 17
- - Gerrit Adriaan Arnold Middelberg .......................................................................................... 18
- - NZASM-Huis ............................................................................................................................... 19
- - L.R. Middelberg het in 1958 die volgende oor die huis vertel. ............................................. 21
- - Bibliografie ................................................................................................................................... 27
- Anglo Boer War - IMR .................................................................................................................. 28
- South African Railways & Harbours Regt – Dave Fortune ......................................................... 28
- SAR: 19D 2690 at Wakkerstroom ................................................................................................. 29
Transnet 6E1-1434 : Vaughn Mostert ................................................................................................... 29
Photographs .............................................................................................................................................. 31
Stations .................................................................................................................................................. 31
USR historic coaches, Masons’ Mill – Jacobus Marais ........................................................................ 32
3
Old Free State mainline alignments ...................................................................................................... 34
Railway People – Spoorwegmense: Ben Schoeman – L Pivnic.......................................................... 35
Diagram of Loco 805 in its original form - HBH .......................................................................... 36
Book Shelf: 1.Ben Schoeman ................................................................................................................... 36
2. The Journal of the MOUNTAIN CLUB of South Africa – Stan Kantor ........................................ 39
RMT ............................................................................................................................................................ 40
South African Airways: Johan Botha .................................................................................................... 43
Harbours - Pierre de Wet ................................................................................................................. 44
Pipelines .................................................................................................................................................... 44
Catering Division - 1933: Pierre de Wet ............................................................................................... 45
SAR Police ................................................................................................................................................. 50
1. Bloemfontein Charge Office – Dave Fortune ............................................................................... 50
2. Railway Police Mosselbaai William “Bill” Smith ........................................................................ 50
3. Police & Railways – HBH................................................................................................................ 51
4. Les Pivnic Remembers ex-Sgt Elliot .............................................................................................. 53
Gautrain ..................................................................................................................................................... 54
Railway News & Railway Sites .............................................................................................................. 58
1. Port Elizabeth on the wild side – Rudi Venter ......................................................................... 58
2. Working on the Track nr Cedara Tunnel – Jacobus Marais ................................................... 63
3 Shunter’s Lamp – Buffalo Rally – Dries van der Merwe ......................................................... 65
South African Models .............................................................................................................................. 66
HBH’s model of No 116 NG “Etiro” ............................................................................................. 66
Photo of “Etiro” NG Dining Car - Charlie Lewis ........................................................................ 66
4
Terry Rowe’s NG No 659 ................................................................................................................ 66
News about SAR Models – Adrian Hill ............................................................................................ 68
Dream Trains ........................................................................................................................................ 71
Outside South Africa: China ................................................................................................................... 72
Pandora’s Box ........................................................................................................................................... 81
Mail Bag ..................................................................................................................................................... 83
1. Pierre de Wet .................................................................................................................................... 83
2. Milk Wagons etc - Pierre de Wet ................................................................................................... 84
3. Calendar: Atlantic Rail – Jenny Class 24 No 3655: Stefan .......................................................... 86
4 Andre Kritzinger ............................................................................................................................... 86
5 Bruno Martin ..................................................................................................................................... 89
6 Bruno Martin ..................................................................................................................................... 89
Elephant-style in the Eastern Free State ................................................................................................ 89
Indemnity / Vrywaring ........................................................................................................................... 90
Geseënde kersfees & voorspoedige Nuwejaar! ........................................................................... 90
Next Issue .................................................................................................................................................. 90
Welcome - Welkom
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers and rail fans! Thanks for your
photographs, scans and articles. Last month 145 people read The Ulolwe on ISSUU. The number
of readers is going down! However we will try harder to present an interesting magazine!
Geseënde kersfees en voorspoedige nuwe jaar vir al ons treinvriende. Dankie vir u insette en
bydrae in terme van berigte en foto’s. Verlede maand het slegs 145 persone Die Ulolwe op
ISSUU gelees. Wees verseker ons probeer ons bes om ‘n interessant tydskrif daar te stel in ‘n
poging om ons erfenis te bewaar vir ons nageslag!
5
Front Cover - Voorblad
On a trip with Bosveld Train Safari’s old Boon Boonzaaier had
the train stopped at this beautiful waterfall near Hammarsdale. I
took the picture. I was very difficult to get the complete waterfall
in, from the top to bottom, and the electric units without falling
from the line down into the grammadoelas below! So
photography can be a dangerous profession!
Editorial
The main thing on my mind is that the Blue Train has been involved in another incident. This is
the flagship of our railways! Only special grade drivers and assistants should work on this
world renowned train. We should focus on tourism and incidents as these appear too often!
Something serious is wrong!
Main Story / Hoofberig - Shaun Carl le Roux
Shaun brought the following news report that appeared in Die Burger to our notice
Bloutrein loop ’n bloutjie - Leighton Koopman
2011-12-01 00:00 - Matjiesfontein
Passasiers op die Bloutrein is gisteraand per bus na Kaapstad vervoer nadat die
lokomotief op die stasie hier teen waens gebots het.
Die trein het aanvanklik Dinsdagoggend van Pretoria af hier aangekom.
Mnr. Mike Asefovitz, woordvoerder van Transnet Spoorvrag, het gesê die trein het ’n
ongeskeduleerde stop op Matjiesfontein gedoen omdat daar probleme was met die
oorhoofse kabels by Hexrivier.
Die passasiers wat toe aan boord was, is met busse Kaapstad toe gebring.
6
Teen gisteroggend is die oorhoofse kabels, wat blykbaar gesteel is, nog nie vervang nie
en die groep passasiers wat op Kaapstad-stasie op die trein moes klim, is met ’n bus
Matjiesfontein toe geneem om daar die trein te haal.
Intussen is ’n lokomotief uit die noorde gestuur om die trein Pretoria toe te trek.
Aggressiewe rangering
Die masjinis was gistermiddag besig om die lokomotief te haak toe hy na bewering te
vinnig beweeg en teen die eerste wa gebots het.
“Die aggressiewe rangering het die trein beskadig,” het Asefovitz gesê.
Niemand is in die voorval beseer nie.
’n Hele paar passasiers het gister uit frustrasie in die Lord Milner-hotel hier gaan sit en
iets kouds bestel.
Twee busse is uit Kaapstad laat kom om die passasiers tot in die Moederstad te bring.
Hulle het gesê hulle is verlig toe hulle uiteindelik gisteraand omstreeks 19:30 vertrek
het.
Die Burger is nie toegelaat om met hulle te praat of om die trein af te neem nie.
Volgens Asefovitz word al die passasiers vandag na Johannesburg teruggevlieg.
Ingenieurs is ingeroep om die skade te kom herstel.
Die skade is na verneem word nie te erg nie, maar die omvang daarvan sal eers
vasgestel kan word nadat ingenieurs na die trein gekyk het.
Sekerheidswagte is gisteraand ontplooi om die trein deur die nag te bewaak.
- Die Burger
Synopsis: Our flagship the Blue Train had to halt at the historic Matjesfontein as the
overhead wires had been “acquired” for illegal purposes near Hex River. Passengers to
Cape Town were taken south by bus. In the meantime the locomotive sent to fetch the
stranded Blue Train collided to the Blue Train and caused damage! Passengers had to
7
make use of busses and air transport. No interviews with passengers and no
photographs were allowed.
Wepener’s Perambulations – Jacque Wepener [Welkom]
The Blue Train captured at Grasslands by J & J Wepener
8
Bloemhof
9
Between Welgeleë and Theron
At
Grasslands
10
At Leeudoringstad
At Makwassie
11
Near old Saaiplaas 3 shaft
12
Train with a weigh bridge in the consist
13
Between Wesselsbron and at Losdorings
Hennie Heymans’ perambulations
Lourens Sturgeon went to visit his father Hansie Sturgeon at Rovos Rail. Our plan was to take
pictures of the Rovos 5E1’s taking the train from Capital Park to Germiston. However we
missed the train! Here is a picture or two taken in November 2011 capturing live steam – both
Lourens and I remarked how nice the locomotive smelled of steam, coal and oil! Not a aroma or
ambience to be found often!
14
15
The former “Spier Train” now resplendently clad in Rovos livery or former Rhodesian Railways
coaches with an old SAR guardsvan - HBH
16
Signal gantry with the sun setting behind it creating an atmospheric picture – not in the Karoo
but in the centre of Pretoria at Capital Park.
Railway History
17
- CGR:
- NGR
- OVSS
- NZASM : Rosa Swanepoel
Ek het ‘n baie interessante beskrywing in ‘n ou koerant gelees van die sogenaamde
NZASM huis wat op die noord westelike hoek van Mark- en Maréstraat [vandag Paul
Kruger- en Jacob Maréstraat] gestaan het. Net ‘n blote beskrywing van ‘n gebou is vir
my maar baie oninteressant. Daarom het ek ‘n bietjie meer agtergrond oor die gebou en
die mense wat daarin gewoon het gaan soek.
Die NZASM het ontstaan uit die strewe van die ZAR na ‘n eie verbinding met ‘n nie-
Britse seehawe ter wille van kontak met die buiteland. Die Nederlandsche Zuid-
Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatschappij [NZASM] is op 21 Junie in Amsterdam gestig.
Die nie-amptelike afkorting van die naam Die Nederlandsche Zuid-Afrikaansche
Spoorweg-Maatschappij in Suid-Afrika is ZASM, maar die korrekte afkorting is
NZASM (spreek uit: enzassem) en verdien die voorkeur [Pr-86 p28].
Tydens die ontwikkeling van die Witwatersrand het Transvaal nog nie oor ‘n moderne
infrastruktuur beskik nie. Dit het al spoedig duidelik geword dat die stadige vervoer
per ossewa nie aan die toenemende eise van die groeiende aantal goudmyne en nuwe
myndorpe kon voldoen nie. Die myne het onder meer groot behoefte aan steenkool vir
die aandryf van hul masjiene en ander installasies gehad. Kort na 1886 – die
ontdekking van gouderts aan die Rand – is steenkool by die latere dorp Boksburg
gevind, maar die groot vraag was hoe om hierdie energiebron goedkoop, vinnig en
doelmatig na die myne te vervoer [Pr-93 p3].
In 1888 het die Volksraad van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek [ZAR] daarom besluit
om ‘n konsessie vir die aanlê en die van eksploitasie [bedryf] van die sogenaamde
“Randtrem” tussen Boksburg en Johannesburg toe te staan. Op 20 Julie 1888 is die
konsessie aan die NZASM toegestaan en is ‘n kontrak tussen die ZAR-regering en die
Maatskappij gesluit [Pr-92 p6].
18
Daarna het verskeie ander kontrakte gevolg en die aanleg en bedryf van amper alle
spoorweë in Transvaal voor 1900 was in die hande van hierdie maatskappy. Die
Maatskappy was verantwoordelik vir die bou van verskillende geboue in Pretoria en
ook in die res van die Transvaal. NZASM huis is een van hierdie geboue en is gebou as
woonhuis en kantoor vir die besturende direkteur G.A.A. Middelberg.
- - Gerrit Adriaan Arnold Middelberg
Middelberg is gebore op 26 [21?] Junie 1846 in Boskoop, Zuid-Holland en oorlede op 6
Maart 1916 in Loenersloof [Loenersloot], Utrecht. Hy was ‘n spoorwegingenieur wat in
Zurich (1863 - 1864) aan die Politegniese Skool te Hannover (1868) opgelei is. Hy werk
in Pruise en Engeland, by die Nederlandse spoorweë in België en word in 1873
hoofingenieur by die Hollandse Ijzeren Spoorwegmaatskappy tot 1889. Vervolgens
word hy mededirekteur van die NZASM (1890) en vestig hom na ‘n paar werkbesoeke
in 1894 in Pretoria tot 1899. Hy trou met Leopoldina Hallman, hulle het ses kinders
gehad. Ingenieur Middelberg tree in 1898 af nadat die NZASM tot bloei gebring is
[Dej-02 p272; [Plo-02 p93].
Mnr. en Mev. G.A.A. Middelberg [The-02 p166]
19
Vestig hom sedert 1894 in met sy gesin in Pretoria. Sy huis word bekend omrede sy
gasvryheid en die musiekaande. Hy toon insig in die ingewikkelde politieke probleme
van die land en werk nou saam met die regering waar hy President Kruger en die
uitvoerende raad adviseer. Hy gaan in 1898 met pensioen en verlaat Pretoria in 1899.
Hy word opgevolg deur jhr. Kretschmar van Veen [Dej-02 p272].
In 1898 en 1889 is G.A.A. Middelberg lid van die kommissie in beheer van die
Volkshospitaal1 in Pretoria en ook een van die kuratore van die Staatsgymnasium wat
deur die staat aangestel is. Hy tree vanaf 1897 tot 1899 op as voorsitter van die
Nederlandse Vereniging [NZAV] in Pretoria. Hy is ook een van die kuratore van die
mynskool wat in 1896 gestig is. [Dej-02 p251; Dej-01 p233; Sta-02; Sta-03]
On 1904 is hy onder diegene wat die stoflike oorskot van President Kruger van
Nederland na Suid-Afrika begelei. Van 1899-1911 was hy voorsitter van NZAV in
Amsterdam [Plo-02 p93].
Die Stadsraad van Pretoria het die naam Bergstraat in Sunnyside verander in
Middelbergstraat na ‘n aanbeveling deur die Stadsraad se straatnamekomitee in 1967
[Pr-89 p64].
Ons leer hom intiem ken uit sy talryke briewe wat hy uit Pretoria na sy familie in
Nederland gestuur het. Die briewe gee insig in die karakter van Middelberg en sy
huisgenote, en die lewe van ‘n deftige Nederlandse gesin in Pretoria in 1890-1899.
Hulle gee somtyds ‘n blik agter die skerms van die hoë politiek. Die leser sien
Middelberg as spoorwegbestuurder, gesinsvader, gasheer op tal van musiekaande en
ontvangste in sy gasvrye, druk besoekte huis. Die briewe is gepubliseer in die Hertzog-
Anale van Julie 1953 [Pr-89 p64-67].
- - NZASM-Huis
Daar bestaan onduidelikheid oor die begin geskiedenis van hierdie huis. Volgends De
Volksstem2 is dit definitief in 1889 voltooi en bestem as woonhuis vir die hoofingenieur
van die NZASM. Die argitek was Klaas van Rijsse [jnr] en die bouaannemer was W.A.
de Rapper. As die inligting oor Middelberg korrek is het hy hom eers in 1894
1 Later die HF Verwoerd-hospitaal, nou die Steve Biko-hospitaal - HBH 2 Dutch spelling, in Afrikaans it is Volkstem - HBH
20
permanent in Pretoria gevestig. Wie voor hom in die huis gewoon het is nie bekend
nie.
NZASM Huis van G.G.A. Middelberg
Die volgende beskrywing van die huis kom uit De Volksstem van Maandag 24 Junie
1889:
Wij waren in de gelengedheid een kijkje te nemen in het nieuwe gebouw, dat de
Nederlandsch Spoorwegmaatschappij heeft does zetten op den hoek van de Mark-en
Marestraten, als woning voor den hoofdingenieur. De architekt, die de plannen van het
huis ontwerp, was de heer K. van Rijsse Jr, en de aannemer, de heer W.A. de Rapper,
beide van Pretoria. Het uitwendige van het gebouw in oogenschouw te worde, het
keurig uitgoeverde pleisterwerk. Als een mooi stuk timmerwerk moet de veranda
word geprezen, ook het dakhek op den dak is keurig gesmeed. In een woord sowel de
details als de verbouinge van het geheel doen ontwerper en uitvoerder der plannen eer
aan. Her huis binnentredende, komt men allereerst in een trapportaal-vestibule,
omringd door de verskillende kamers. Het huis bevat op sijn twee verdieppings twaalf
kamers, groot en klein. Het binnewerk van die kamers laat niets te wense over. Vooral
de betimmering van de ontvangskamer is seer net, daartoe brengt een in renaissance-
stijl opgetrokken schoorsteen-betimmering veel bij, dese kamer is de enige, die met een
gestukeerd plafon voorsien is. Ter sijde van het hoofdgebouw bevinde sich stal,
koetshuis, woning voor dienspersoneel ens. Het geheel werk dat bijna een jaar geduurt
21
heeft, kostte ongeveer ₤6,000. Wij wenschen de bij den bouw betrokken partijen geluk
met den afloop van dit werk en hopen, dat nog vele dergelijke gebouwen in de
toekomst het hunne zallen bijdragen tot versiering van ons dorp.
- - L.R. Middelberg het in 1958 die volgende oor die huis vertel.
[Gepubliseer in Pr-26 p25-29]
Hoe interessant hierdie ou gebou werklik is, het ons onlangs eers besef toe ons besoek
gehad het van mnr. L. R. Middelberg, een van die oorspronklike bewoners daarvan. Toe
het ons vir 'n paar aangename ure weer terug bevind in die ou dae, die romantiese
Republikeinse jare, en sommer meer respek gekry vir die huis, waar die Staatspresident,
S. J. P. Kruger, heelwat op besoek gekom het.
Die huis kort voordat dit afgebreek is
22
In 1888 het die ou Nederlandsch Zuid-Afrikaanse Spoorweg Maatskappy onder leiding
van 'n Direkteur, ingenieur G. A. A. Middelberg, vader van mnr. L. R. Middelberg,
begin om 'n spoorlyn te lê vanaf die grens van Portugees-Oos Afrika na Pretoria, wat
toe op 1 Januarie 1895 in gebruik geneem is. Intussen is begin om in Pretoria 'n
ampshuis, waarin ook kantore sou wees, te bou vir die Direkteur. Hierdie huis, die
Z.A.S.M.-huis is in begin 1894 voltooi en die kantoor is op 1 Februarie van die jaar
gevestig, terwyl mnr. Middelberg sy gesin uit Nederland laat kom het, wie hulle toe in
Junie in die huis gevestig het. Mnr. en mev. Middelberg en drie van hulle kinders,
waarvan mnr. L. R. Middelberg, wat ons besoek het, die jongste was, het toe hulle in
trek in die huis geneem, en, soos mnr. Middelberg ons vertel het, het dit een van die
geselligste woonhuise van Pretoria geword. Daar was altyd 'n deurloop van gaste in
die huis en veral het mense wat van Nederland af gekom het, gewoonlik eers vir 'n
rukkie daar gewoon. [Volgens De Volkssstem is die huis reeds in 1889 voltooi en nie in
1894 nie.]
Soos hy deur die kamers van die huis gewandel het, het mnr. Middelberg die ou
herinneringe teruggeroep van gebeurtenisse wat hy daar meegemaak het, en kon hy
talle van interessante staaltjies vertel. Op een geleentheid, het hy ook vertel, sou die
Z.A.S.M. 'n mooi salonrytuig3 aan president Kruger aanbied. 'n Spesiale funksie is toe
gereël vir die oorhandiging van die rytuig, wat vandag nog by die Krugermuseum in
Pretoria te sien is.
Op die dag voor die oorhandiging toe die ou mnr. Middelberg, die Direkteur, sy
middagslapie geniet, klop daar iemand by die voordeur aan, en toe stap niemand
minder dan die President self, onaangemeld, die huis binne. Hy sê toe dat hy nie meer
sy nuuskierigheid kon bedwing om die "ou waentjie" te sien nie, en net gou vooraf wou
kom kyk hoe hy lyk. Dit, het mm. Middelberg vertel, was nie so 'n ongewone
gebeurtenis nie. Die President was goed bevriend met sy vader, en het ook 'n baie hoë
dunk van hom gehad, en, soos uit die argiefstukke van staatsekretaris Leyds geblyk het,
wou hy hom later, as die oorlog nie tussenbei getree het nie, aanstel as Staatsfinansier.
Mnr. Middelberg het nog goed onthou hoe die huis bewoon was en kon selfs dadelik
sien waar die gebou in later jare effens verander is. Die noordelike voorkamer was
3 SAR / SAS No 17 - HBH
23
byvoorbeeld die ontvangskamer terwyl die groot suidelike voorkamer die kantoor van
die klerke was, en daarnaas die kantoor van sy vader. Bo het hulle almal hulle
slaapkamers gehad. Van die stoep het hulle voorheen kon uitkyk op Meintjieskop, wat
vandag onmoontlik is weens die baie hoë geboue tussenin. Oorkant hulle was net die
huis van wyle Eddie Bourke, wat tot onlangs nog die landbouafdeling van ons
Departement gehuisves het, en verder was daar in die omgewing nog maar min gebou.
In 1899 is die ouers van mnr. Middelberg terug na Nederland, waar mnr. Middelberg
toe 'n kommissaris van die Maatskappy geword het. Die plan was toe dat hy later sou
terugkom om in die diens van die Republiek te kom, wat hy baie graag wou, aangesien
hy 'n baie hoë bewondering vir president Kruger gehad het.
Die jong mnr. Middelberg het toe agtergebly om sy skoolloopbaan by die
Staatsgimnasium te voltooi. Hy het toe in die Z.A.S.M.-huis bly woon by die gesin van
Jonkheer J. van Kretschmar van Veen, sy vader se opvolger. Hierna het hy in 1900 vir 'n
tyd lank as lid van die Hollander Korps deelgeneem aan die oorlog, waarna hy terug is
na Nederland. Sy belangstelling en liefde vir die jong land het groot gebly en hy was
later vir 15 jaar lank Voorsitter van die Nederland-Zuid-Afrika Vereniging.
In 1949 was hy met die onthulling van die Voortrekkermonument dan ook een van die
vier rapportryers wat uit Nederland gekom bet. Met sy aftrede uit die Koloniale diens
het mnr. Middelberg toe in 1951 na Suid-Afrika ge-emigreer om hom in Pretoria te
vestig. Na die Driejarige Oorlog is die Spoorwegmaatskappy uit die gebou uitgesit, en
is dit betrek deur die leër, wat vir baie jare daar gevestig was .
[Ek bepaal my net by die geskiedenis van Pretoria voor 1900. Indien u meer oor die
latere geskiedenis van die ou gebou wil lees raadpleeg Pretoriana nr. 26 b 25-27]
Musliek aande by die familie Middelberg in die NZASM-Huis in Pretoria
In die Hertzog-Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns,
Tweede Jaargang-Eerste Aflewering, Julie 1953, vind ons die besonder lesenswaardige.
Briewe uit Transvaal van G. A. A. Middelberg (1896-1899)," ingelei en toegelig deur dr.
F. J. du T. Spies. Hier is ‘n uittreksel uit die briewe wat dr. Herman Rex saamgestel het
en wat in Pretoriana nr. 26 p29-35 gepubliseer is.
24
In sy inleiding verduidelik dr. Spies hoedat dit die gewoonte was van mnr, Middelberg,
die voormalige Direkteur van die N.Z.A.S.M., om elke Sondagoggend briewe aan sy
familielede in Europa te skryf. In die briewe kom daar talryke verwysings voor na die
bekende Z.A.S.M.-huis, op die hoek van Mark- (tans Paul Krugerstraat) en Jacob
Marestraat, waar die Middelberg-gesin in die loop van 1894 hulle intrek geneem het.
"Sy briewe," skrywe dr. Spies, "gee 'n intieme kyk in die familielewe van die huis
Middelberg; in die eerste plek van die huismoeder, meer sosiaal van geaardheid as haar
eggenoot, in haar talryke daaglikse, huislike en ander pligte . . . Sy het van haar huis 'n
musieksentrum gemaak, waar elke Saterdagaand die beste gehoor is wat Pretoria op die
gebied kon oplewer. Reisende musici het daar dikwels 'n heenkome gevind." Aangesien
die musiekaande aan die huis van die Middelbergs 'n besondere kenmerk was van die
kulturele lewe in Pretoria teen die einde van die Republikeinse Bewind, word die
verwysings daarna in die briewe hier in 'n artikel byeen versamel, waardeur ons 'n
beter geheelbeeld van die destydse musiekbedrywigheid in die Z.A.S.M.-huis kan
vorm.
Zondag 3 Mei 1896. We hebben dan Donderdags onzen regelmatigen muziekavond.
Tegen het souper om zeven uur komen een groot getal mooi aangekleede dames de
intiemeren bij ons aanzitten. Na het souper komen nog meer mooi aangekleede dames
met mannen en er komen ook mannen alleen. Twee muziekmeesters, een voor leiding
en een voor accompagnement en ook eens te spelen. Alle kamers verlieht. De Heeren
in mijn kamer wereldverbeteringen te maken, en de dames zingen en oefenen
kwartetten, Ma vooraan en Annewim (Anna Wilhelmina Middelberg, die enigste dogter
in die familie) met groote ijver en helder luid klinkende stem.
Zondag 25 Junie 1897. Groote plannen worden gesmeed. We zuIlen een opendeur-
avond Zaterdags beginnen waarvoor regelmatig een viool-piano artist aangenomen is.
Dat, met de Zondagsehe lunch, zal onze bijdrage zijn tot gezellig verkeer. Diner's
worden afgeslagen en niet gegeven. De evolutie in de Engelsch sprekende wereld is
gelukkig diner-afkeerig en wij volgen maar al te gaarne. Buitendien is onze omgang
bijna uitsluitend met mensehen voor wie dinner's maar lastig zijn. Onze positie is nu
zoo geconsolideerd dat we niet meer toenadering tot offisieële vreemde kringen of
grootheden behoeven te koesteren.
25
Zondag 15 Augustus 1897. Gisteren de eerste muziekavond bij ons. Nogmaar een paar
genodigden en Ma afwezig, die zich wat zwak gevoelde. Daar kwam in onze, met 112
kaarssterkten electrisch verlichte kamer de violoncel ingedragen en twee violen. En 't
begon. Aanwezig de violistpianist ten Brink (musiekonderwyser te Pretoria), artist, Dr.
Breyer (Dr. H. G. Breyer, onderwyser aan die Staats-gimnasuim en sedert Februarie
1897 Waarnemende Direkteur van die Mynskool), cellist en de Heer Fockens (W. J.
Fockens was Sekretaris van die Volksraad) met vrouw. Daarbij de zoo nu en dan "o!"
gillende Nine (Doyer, onderwyseres aan die Staatsmeisieskool), Annewim en ik. Een
trio, Sonate van Beethoven, werd allerslechst gespeeld, een jammer voor
menschenzielen. Maar toen werd het beter en we geraakten opgewekt. Toen de dames
al weg waren, gingen de heeren nog naar mijn kamer om een orgelstuk te hooren door
ten Brink gespeeld. Om elf was het huis donker. 't Kan wat worden, 't is mooi in mooie
kamers mooie muziek te hooren - maar de geest dient er bij te zijn. Ma wiI stumperds
laten bijdragen tot het genot, en we weten wat dit is, en ik wil alleen artisten, al is het er
maar één, hooren. Hier zal weer te transigeeren (gee en neem) zijn.
Zondag 19 September 1897. Nog klinkt de muziek van gisteren avond in onze ooren,
piano en orgel, want er kwam geen begeleider van de viool opdagen. Ik was wel wat
moede en verdroogd door een dag vol zon en stof in Johannesburg . . . Ik was dan
stoffig te huis gekomen en vond de brieven uit Europa, las de bekende schriftfiguren en
nam de beelden in me op toen de muziek begon en aandachtig werd aangehoord door
de scherp verlichte toehoorders. Ja dat is wel het eenige wichtige, vertelbare feit van de
week, anders gingen de dagen en kwamen de avonden en werden we gewekt door
heldere zonnestralen vroeg in den ochtend.
Zondag 26 September 1897. Was gisteren avond een mooie salon bij ons. Nieuwe
sympathieke gezichten, Mevr. Nieuwenhuys voor het eers na haar ziekte. Dr. Leyds
speelde mooi als een volleerd artist de vioolpartij in een Mendelsohns trio. "We had den
een mystiek noorse sonate van Grieg op viool en piano en een Benedictus van
McKenzie evenzoo. 't Was een mooi geheel en om elf sliepen we kalm in. Wat een
herinnering vol licht en kleuren en toonen voor later dagen wanneer dit alles voorbij
gegaan zal zijn, om plaats te maken voor nieuwe beelden en nieuwe vormen met
nieuwe menschen, of zonder menschen in nieuwe omgevingen.
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Zondag 3 October 1897. Gisteren avond was de muziek uitvoering bijzonder mooi nu
het strijkkwartet compleet was en twee beroepskunstenaars telde. 't Waren volle
kamers, warm maar erg mooi.
Zondag 12 December 1897. Dinsdag concert, de Atalia van Mendelsohn. Annewim had
de sopraan solo. Een vol theater, alle menschen in rok en mooiste baatje, wij in een
prosceniumloge, een echt huiselijk feest in de goede beteekenis. Het kind zong goed,
had zeker de beste school van de drie solisten en 'n geheel was mooi en werkelijk edel
genot gevend. Den volgenden avond dan een huwelijksfeestje voor onze loge's van
Goor. (Kees van Goor was 'n amptenaar van die N.Z.A.S.M. op Waterval-Boven. Sy
vrou het uit Nederland gekom.) Daar kwamen tal van Zasm met hul egades en we
gaven tableaux vivants, zelf bedacht en Annewim zong met van Loenen Martinet
(Amptenaar van die N.Z.A.S.M.), dat bekende duet, die twee oudjes die zich hun
trouwen in de herinnering terug roepen. Het duurde tot een uur ...
Zondag 13 Maart 1898. 't Was gisteren avond een uitgezochte muziekavond. Eerst tegen
twaalf uur lagen we te rusten. Het regende dat het goot en zoo waren de kamers maar
losjes vol en was er geen gebrek aan stoelen. Dr. Leyds speeIde viool en twee
beroepskunstenaars violenceI en piano, en ze gaven een nieuw lang russisch toonwerk,
wonderbaar mooi en daarna nog meer en meer. Ze hadden er lang voor gestudeerd en
de eerste uitvoering was in onze zalen. 't Zal toch jammer zijn wanneer die tijden als
een droom achter ons liggen.
Zondag 3 April 1898. 't Zijn roezige dagen en vrije tijd hebben we niet. Nog slapen de
menschen na de schitterende avond gisteren. De Volksstem had medegedeeld dat de
vrienden van Mev. de Waal (eggenote van die NederIandse konsul in Kaapstad, wat by
die Middelbergs in Pretoria op besoek was), verwacht werden op de gewone
Zaterdagavond receptie bij de familie Middelberg. En daar stroomde het. Zestig
menschen verdrongen zich in de zalen waar het groote Trio van den Rus door dr.
Leyds, Reepmaker en ten Brink gespeeld werd. Mevrouw de Waal als koningin ...
glimlachte tegen al die prachtig aangedane menschheid.
Zondag 18 September 1898. Daar komt ene Engelsche pianiste met aanbeveling uit
Johannesburg om het terrein hier te verkennen. Daar zat de goede jonge vrouw en de
goede moeder begint te organiseeren. Gisteren avond was dan het debuut in ons huis,
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na vele voorbereidingen en samenspel en met den violist. De keur der Engelsehe en
Afrikaander muziekvrienden was genoodigd, van den dekaan van de bisschoppelijke
kerk en den presbiteriaansehe predikant, tot een gewoon krantenmensch. Daar komt
werkelijk gisteren de eerste regen na de maandenlange winterdroogte en tot overmaat
van ramp gaat de electriesche straatverlichting uit en is het pik donker. Onze twec
groote kamers zijn daardoor maar zoo bezet dat de mensehen met de elbogen zich niet
behoeven te stooten. Zenuwachtig maar erg mooi speelde de half aan gekleede maar
met vele kanten behangen Engelsche strijderes voor haar toekomst. Ze slaap nunog
rustig boven.
- - Bibliografie
Dej-02 : De Jong, Robert Cornelis; Kulturele lewe van die Pretoriase
Nederlanders,Verhandeling Universiteit Pretoria 1980
Lug-01: Lugtenburg, A.H; Geskiedenis van die Onderwys in die Suid-Afrikaanse
Republiek. [1836-1900], J.L. van Schaik Beperk., Pretoria. 1925
Plo-02: Ploeger, Jan [dr.]; Nederlanders in Transvaal [1850-1950], J.L. van Schaik
Beperk., Pretoria 1994
Pr-26: Moning, H.O; ‘n Belangrike Historiese Gebou: Die Z.A.S.M.-Huis, Pretoriana
Nommer 27&27 [April - Augustus] 1958
Pr-86: De Jong, C; Herinneringe aan die NZASM in en om Pretoria (1), Pretoriana
Nommer 86 [Desember] 1984
Pr-89: De Jong, C; Herinneringe aan die NZASM in en om Pretoria (4) Gerrit Adriaan
Arnold Middelberg, Pretoriana Nommer 89 [April] 1986
Pr-92: De Jong, Robert C; Beknopte geskiedenis van die Nederlandsche Zuid-
Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatskappij (1), Pretoriana Nommer 92 [November] 1987
Pr-93: De Jong, Robert C; Beknopte geskiedenis van die Nederlandsche Spoorweg-
Maatschappij (3), Pretoriana Nommer 93 [April] 1988
Sta-02: Kuipers, H. Ea; Staats-Almanak v d Zuid-Afr. Republiek 1899, Staatsdrukkerij,
Pretoria 1898.
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Sta-03: Kuipers, H. Ea; Staats-Almanak v d Zuid-Afr. Republiek 1899, taatsdrukkerij,
Pretoria 1899.
The-02: Theron, Bridget; Pretoria at War, Protea Boekhuis 2000.
- Anglo Boer War - IMR
• Nothing to report
- South African Railways & Harbours Regt – Dave Fortune
Dave sent the following picture of the Roll of Honour at Bloemfontein Railway Station:
Dear Dave,
Thank very much - may I use this picture in the Ulolwe please? I have been looking for
this photograph, and others, for a long time - later I would like to get them all, for my
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"SAR & H Brigade & Armoured Trains"-files / series. Lest we forget! As Lawrence
Binyon wrote:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
• Dave Fortune has sent us all the photographs of the Memorials at Bloemfontein.
More about this subject in later editions.
- SAR: 19D 2690 at Wakkerstroom
Willie du Plessis with 19D 2690
Transnet 6E1-1434 : Vaughn Mostert
Vaughn Mostert sent the following from Braamfontein:
Hi Hennie, hope you are keeping well. Thanks for including the pictures of the 7Es at
Braamfontein. Excellent magazine.
I am attaching a picture taken in Braamfontein last night (unfortunately dragged a bit –
it was starting to hail and I was in a hurry) of 1434 with a “bridged” vacuum pipe. I
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wonder what the reason is. I would have posted it to the group but I don’t know how.
Also missing a front window, like 1467 coupled next to it. Braam is like a scrapyard
these days with about 20 locos out of action.
Regards,
Vaughan
Note the silver pipe!
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Photographs
Stations
Modderpoort - HBH
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Volksrust – Dries van der Merwe
USR historic coaches, Masons’ Mill – Jacobus Marais
8991
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15025
15047
K-42 in old Orange Express Livery
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Old Free State mainline alignments
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Railway People – Spoorwegmense: Ben Schoeman – L Pivnic
How's this for a piece of history? The young guy standing just under the loco number
plate is no other than a young Ben Schoeman when he was a fireman at Braamfontein
Loco and firing to the driver (2nd left with oil can) on engine 805, class 16B, that now
resides in the OTM in George. The guard is on the left and the fellow inside of Ben is
thought to be Mechanical Engineer C.T. Long. That young man was destined to rise
from the grade of fireman to the Minister of Transport - how's that for climbing the
ladder??
Regards,
Les Pivnic.
• A photograph of young Ben Schoeman – Les Pivnic ©.
Comments by HBH
It would appear that the photo was taken on “Friday the 13th” – see chalk marks above the
number plate of 805. The photo was taken before 1933. Another railway politician was Mr.
Vause Raw while Sir Roy Welensky of Rhodesia was also on the footplate.
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Diagram of Loco 805 in its original form - HBH
Book Shelf: 1.Ben Schoeman
Ben Schoeman: My Lewe in die politiek is a valuable book. All photographs and sketches are
taken from the book. Any serious railway historian should read it.
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Barend Jacobus Schoeman
is op 19 Januarie 1905 in
Johannesburg gebore. Toe
hy sestien jaar oud was, het
hy die skool verlaat en by
die Suid-Afrikaanse Spoor-
weë aangesluit, waar hy as
stoker begin werk het.
Gedurende hierdie tydperk
het hy privaat gestudeer en
is hy in 1933 na die
administratiewe personeel
van die Spoorweë oorge-
plaas. Hy het hom ook vir
die betrekking van masjinis
en die van stasiemeester
bekwaam. In 1938 verteen-
woordig hy die kies-
afdeling Fordsburg in die
Volksraad. Hy bedank
saam met generaal Hertzog
in 1940 toe oorlog verklaar
word en word voorsitter
van die Nasionale Party
aan die Witwatersrand. In
1943 stel hy hom
verkiesbaar as Herenigde Nasionale Party-kandidaat vir Johannesburg-Wes, maar hy
haal nie die paal nie. In 1948 word hy verkies as Volksraadslid vir Maraisburg. Hy was
Minister van Arbeid van 1948 af tot 1954, toe hy as Minister van Vervoer aangestel is.
Hy was ook lank voorsitter van Perskor, die grootste uitgewersgroep in Suid-Afrika.
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Hy was 31 jaar lank LV, 26 jaar lank Minister (‘n wêreldrekord)4, leier van die Volksraad
en kanselier van die Universiteit van Port Elizabeth.
Dr. Schoeman is getroud met mej. Herculene P. van Rooyen. Hulle het een seun en een
aangenome seun.
Sy liefhebberye: Grootwildjag, gholf, lees, musiek en perdry.
Perskor 1978 - ISBN 0 628 01466 X
2. The Journal of the MOUNTAIN CLUB of South Africa – Stan
Kantor
Stan Kantor brought it to our notice that there is an article in the above book entitled:
The Table Mountain Railway by Ralph Taylor.
I have written an e-mail to a friend in Cape Town, Alex Faria:
Dear Alex
I am looking for a document entitled:
REPORT ON THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
FOR TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPETOWN, PRESENTED TO THE TOWN COUNCIL OF CAPETOWN
BY
HH PETER, CONSULTING ENGINEER
HH Peter's Report dated 3rd of June 1913 is in the Municipal Ref Library, Civic Centre
Cape Town. Can you help please - no time limit - when you go to Cape Town Central?
HBH
• The report contains beautiful sketches of the various stations and rolling stock modeled
on an Alpine vehicular railway.
4 I think former minister RF ‘Pik’ Botha holds the record - HBH
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RMT
RMT near Elgin
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42
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South African Airways: Johan Botha
Nov 2011 a photo of a SAA Cargo plane taken at Kempton Park by Johan Botha.
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Harbours - Pierre de Wet
Pipelines
• Nothing to Report
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Catering Division - 1933: Pierre de Wet
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SAR Police
1. Bloemfontein Charge Office – Dave Fortune
Hi Hennie all this about the SAR police and I happened to take a photo what was the Stasie
Blompotte charge room and office at Bloemfontein station. My one uncle was railway policeman
and his bike was stolen outside this building, it must have been late in the fifties. He was
not very amused at the time. Later on this section became the guards booking on office, my dad
worked there as a roster clerk when coming off the footplate the office was moved later upstairs,
Hope I am not boring you. Dave Fortune.
• Thanks the picture is filed in my SARP Bloemfontein file! Thanks
2. Railway Police Mosselbaai William “Bill” Smith
Hi Hennie
When I was at Mosselbay the railway police post commander was a warrant officer (he was
called "meneer".)
A warrant officer was a proud rank and they were few and far between.
There were two sergeants and a large number of constables, no officers at all.
The highest ranking non-white was a sergeant.
Looking at the police today, it would appear that every second cop is a warrant officer,
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Captains are a dime a dozen, and colonels are falling over each other.
Not to mention the medals, most have a string of them, what for?
Then come the Generals, males, females too many to count, what is happening?
Cheers, Bill
3. Police & Railways – HBH
Dear Bill
Yes the situation is indeed critical!
Rank inflation everywhere is and at the order of the day..... but we in the old
dispensation also had it, to a lesser degree.
To give you an idea:1991 - 1992 I was the only full Colonel in the Welkom district and
had about 1200 men with only two W/O's that were not Station Commanders . We had
one Maj-Gen for the whole Free State and four Brigadiers in Bloemfontein. Now there is
General in Welkom and various Generals, I think 17, alone in the Free State!
You had to write exams and pass exams or with about 25 yrs could reach the rank of
W/O on merit - if .... you can read or write ... drive ...
If you can graduate from a trolley driver to a train driver why can't you promote a
messenger to captain?
I call the some "Cremora officers - It's not inside, it's on top!"
However, our greatest disaster is the demise of the SAR Police - and believe it or not, I
was the chap who wrote the letter to SAP and SAR conveying the SP, Mr PW Botha's,
wish to rationalise the police in South Africa.
At that time there were certain fears about the SAA, Harbours, international trade
sanctions etc - the SAR Police were then amalgamated with SAP - who kept them on as
transport branch (for a while) and then the SARP & Transport Branch was gone with
the wind ... however the memories remain.
In lighter vein, a true story about the SARP Security Branch:
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At Police HQ we had a Security Branch meeting every morning called the
"SANHEDRIN" - there were certain visitors invited like Railway Police SB, National
Intelligence, SAP COIN, and DMI (Military Intel) .
I sat there for a number of years and in those days we knew before CNN et al ... Very
interesting time - it was the nodal point for action ...
Well everybody in the SAP had told their stories of what happened on the various
"desks" - the guests had to tell their stories or ask questions.
Now it was the Colonel of the SAR Security Branch who had to tell his story:
It went more or less like this:
"Thank you General. We had one incident yesterday. Train 5890 down - that that's the
Trans Natal - detonated a limpet mine at mile post xxx between catenary poles xxx and
xxx .”
“Colonel, we are just ordinary policemen, tell us in plain police language what
happened.”
“General, last night the Trans Natal was travelling at speed when near Heidelberg it
went over a limpet mine which it detonated, about a meter of the track on the left
downside to Durban was blown away - due to the speed - the train was not derailed -
no injuries! We are investigating together with the SAP SB.”
"Thank you Colonel - keep us informed and if we can help, let us know!”
Conclusion
However the co-operation was good; we even had SARP SB stationed full-time with us
SAP SB - at first I thought it was "our" men - but they were actually your "guys".
SARP did their security courses with us and also attended our explosives courses - the
SAP Explosives Branch also administered the transport, even by rail, of TNT - I saw
how we issued the permits and how the trip was co-ordinated by us and the SARP SB
Explosives section.
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My hat off, no, I salute the boys of the SARP - just sit and think who and what was
stacked against us - they kept our SAA aircraft flying without mishap and they
investigated cross border crime - I believe they also worked outside our borders e.g. in
Lesotho at the Maseru station and in Maputo and Swaziland on our trains, aircraft etc.
They were indeed a fine body of men - well disciplined and they knew both the SAR,
Harbours, ships, tugs, road transport and trains. These guys could trace a needle in a
haystack! When we looked for say, a container with drugs or contraband they would
find it in no time!
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY HAD A SOLID FOUNDATION THAT WAS
LAID MANY YEARS AGO!
They were a valuable ally in the fight against crime and when you needed a place on
the train or SAA - they did the bookings for us!
I sign off with affectionate regards to my old former colleagues of that Force!
4. Les Pivnic Remembers ex-Sgt Elliot
Dear Hennie
Your interesting piece on the Railway Police brought back memories of a black man that
was head of the black staff in our SA Railway Museum in Johannesburg when I was
employed there.
His name was "Elliot" and he was previously a sergeant in the Railway Police. He was
released from the Force due to injury on duty that precluded further police work and
was transferred to the Museum - at that stage, still housed under the Rissik Street
Bridge.
Elliot's duties included messenger service between the Museum office and our Head
Office in Kerk Street as well as Paul Kruger Building. He also kept a beady eye on the
floor of the main Concourse - watching the cleaning staff as well as the general public
ensuring that all was well in the exhibition areas.
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When the Curator or I walked down the marble staircase from our office at street level
in South Station Building, Elliot would jump to attention as if he was on parade! Ready
for inspection Sir!!
This regular little action on his part always brought a smile to my face - back in my
"army days", I was the one jumping to attention!
Regards
Les Pivnic
Gautrain
Gautrain’s Diesel Locomotives used on Construction: Thomas informed us on SAR_List
as follows: “A photo of Gautrain's FAUR LDE-130 has come up at
http://www.locomotives.com.pl/Diesels/SP32_11.htm these locos were built for PKP
(Poland) as class SP32, however an estimate of 30-35 locos were not delivered and
handed over to Romanian industrial railways and the military. A handful is still active
with construction contractors. Thomas.
Comment by HBH: Here are some photographs that I took some time ago:
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• Any comments will be welcome in order to identify Gautrain’s rolling stock.
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Railway News & Railway Sites
1. Port Elizabeth on the wild side – Rudi Venter
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2. Working on the Track nr Cedara Tunnel – Jacobus Marais
The workmen’s train
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3 Shunter’s Lamp – Buffalo Rally – Dries van der Merwe
• “Likkewaan” Labuschagne at Rhino Rally
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• Suid-Afrikaaanse Spoorweë / SA Railways / Ulolwe link:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/74709226744/
• http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/ here you may view Col Andre Kritzinger’s excellent
photographs.
• Andre Kritzinger also has a valuable site on all South Africa’s steam, electric and diesel
traction – see for e.g. South African Locomotives A-Z (Class GMA 4-8-2+2-8-4)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Class_GMA_4-8-2%2B2-8-4 also see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_African_locomotive_classes
South African Models
HBH’s model of No 116 NG “Etiro”
Standing over.
Photo of “Etiro” NG Dining Car - Charlie Lewis
Dear Charlie – thanks for the great picture of “Etiro” My model in HO-scale has now been
painted but still needs a roof and undercarriage! – HBH.
Terry Rowe’s NG No 659
Hi Hennie
I attach my model of NG 659 the Tool and Bunk wagon on the Avontuur Branch, as per the
drawing Sydney Moir's 24 Inches Apart. This is a wagon that apart from Moir's drawing there
seems to be very little, like what wagon was used for the base of this wagon, where was it built
and for how long did it run. What would be good is to find out if anyone has more info or maybe
a photo.
Trust you are well, all the best!
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News about SAR Models – Adrian Hill
Hi,
Hier is ‘n klomp nuwe goed wat ek nou op die mark gaan sit.
Ek het nou al die trokke om ‘n paar volledige treine te maak: Trans Karoo, Union
Express, Premier Classe, Shozoloza Meyl. Ek bou hulle nou baie vinnig omdat ek baie
van die parte sny op die laser. Ons gaan ook nou begin om parte te “injection mould”.
Ek het nou ‘n klein “injection moulding” masjien gekry.
Ek gaan die bokse en die “building jigs” bemark. Ek gebruik self daai jig en dit is ‘n
plesier om te werk aan ‘n trok wat nie rondrol op die tafel nie.
Daar is nog baie verskillende modelle aan die kom, ek konsentreer op volledige treine
liewers as “odd” trokke”
Groete,
Adrian Hill
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C-34 8445 Gulf Red Quaker Grey
C-34 8440 Imperial Brown
D-37 2080 Gulf Red Quaker Grey
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D-37 2083 Imperial Brown.
E-16 8858 Gulf Red Quaker
E-16 8864 Imperial Brown
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H-24 3371 Imperial Brown
Dream Trains
Monday, 21 November 2011
New on the website
The Engelbrecht models are in stock again. A small quantity of CMD models will be
on the website, including DZ7, B2-wagons, the DZM-13 freight wagon and the
SML-13 container car.
Quantities are limited.
SARM
Products from SARM now in the market are the Blue Train, Trans Karoo, Shosoloza
Meyl and the Premiere Class.
Some of SARM's freight rolling stock also in stock like the SCL-9 car transporter and the
palletised fruit wagon.
All coaches and freight wagons are available separately.
FRATESCHI
The newest Frateschi shipment is at OR Tambo.....Included in this shipment will be a
limited re-run of an Orange Spoornet class 35, only 50 models will be available.
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Outside South Africa: China
From Beijing to Lhasa in Tibet
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Pandora’s Box
Standing at Windhoek, photo by HBH
Carl Das Neves Vieira replies:
“Former NRE 14241 = SAR 8303 type
C-25 later D-32 built in Pta 1939 to
NRE 3/85 and SWA in 4/89.”
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Mail Bag
Thank you for all the interesting correspondence and comments. Here are some letters:
1. Pierre de Wet
Beste Hennie,
Jy vra of daar belangstelling in Ulolwe is of dan nie? Ja, beslis. Ek persoonlik wil net dit sê:
Ulolwe is ‘n waardevolle tydskrif/dokument wat as argief dien. Daarin kan ons materiaal lees
en sien wat andersins nie beskikbaar sou gewees het nie. Jy doen uitstekende werk daarmee.
Sterkte met die ou Pretoria donderstorms (ek mis hulle) en veral met die Ulolwe uitgawes van
die toekoms. Beste groete van Pierre.
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2. Milk Wagons etc - Pierre de Wet
Beste Hennie,
I'm so glad that I have added something of value to your day. I've just
awoken from a "Sondagmiddag-slapie" and enjoyed your comments.
Yes, my boet and I were quite active back in the sixties and early
seventies, but much to my regret now, with a fancy new Canon 8mm movie
camera rather than with a good reflex camera and transparencies. So we have
many metres of railways from back then which we can't share with anyone
except in our home with a movie projector.
As you may have noticed, some of the photos are rather grainy due to low
light but we tried our best to capture that certain magic of a shed or
station at evening time. Film just didn't seem fast enough and so the grainy
impressionistic pics is all we have. It takes a Charlie Lewis to do such
lighting justice and perhaps he will still entertain us to some of his night
time shots which are classics. I remember one in particular of a 16E on a
dark and rainy night in Bloemfontein station with its mail train, dripping
wet and about to depart. This appeared way back in Train Magazine in 1970 if
I remember correctly.
My brother and I were particularly concerned with railway atmosphere. We
didn't just chase steam locomotives although they were the main players. I
also loved the old milk wagons with their interesting profiles and water
85
tanks on the roofs. In fact any goods train in those days was interesting
from the first wagon that passed one, to the last and to stand at a goods
depot and just to see what was being loaded and off-loaded, was amazing. In
the one shot of ours in Bethlehem you probably noticed the little lamb tied
to a trolley which was also waiting to be loaded or had just arrived by
train. The nice thing about the old cooler vans was that they smelt just
like the creamery on a farm and they were essentially, 'farmers' wagons for
that reason. They were attached to country trains where milk and cream would
be loaded at wayside stations to much shouting and the rolling of churns. De
Aar, Mafeking and Vryburg were stations where they were marshalled in rows.
Bloemfontein too with its connections to the Eastern Free State and such
wagons were a regular sight on for instance, the trains to Aliwal North.
In fact Hennie, all the things you also liked so much were the elements
which added that busy bustle to a railway station which is so lacking
nowadays. The goods are gone, the trucks are gone and so are the men who
serviced them as well as the locomotives that shunted and hauled them.
Durban unfortunately, was not a town I visited often. We tended to travel to
the Cape, so a few rather grey day shots of Greyville (taken in 1968) are
all I have. I also was the not so proud owner of a devilish camera with a
temperamental light meter which seemed to take pleasure in over and under
exposure. This eventually led to a rejection of all things photographic
until a later flirting with a Pentax and colour prints which also
disappointed. Transparencies were far more forgiving and luminescent but by
then it was into the 1980's and the Great Decline of our railways. While
others were saving what was left on film, I had retreated into lamenting
what was gone, and so my flirting with railway photography ended. In any
case I didn't really want to butt in on Charlie, Les, Allen and Bob's
territory (and others’) it would have presented them with unfair
competition.
Mooibly,
86
Pierre
3. Calendar: Atlantic Rail – Jenny Class 24 No 3655: Stefan
Hi all you Atlantic Rail supporters.
Our 2012 Calendar is now available. In A3 format laminated to last the whole year. Six months
on one side and six on the other. In full colour. 12 carefully chosen photos of our beloved
“Jenny” Class 24 3655. A must for your fridge, study, office, bar or anywhere. At only R40.00
it’s a real bargain. You can email me on [email protected] or call me on the number
below to order one. I will post the calendars out. Postage will be about R20.00 in South Africa. I
will have to enquire at the Post office if anyone from outside South Africa would want one.
Below is a look at the first side.
4 Andre Kritzinger
Hi fellow train nuts,
In August last year I took some pictures of the then newly commissioned Class 15E at
Saldanha. Before posting them on my picture site at http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/ I
needed to find some info about them since it's not in my nature to post pictures without
some detail about the subject. So I tried Google and found virtually nothing. One thing
led to another and I finally found some entries on SA locomotives on Wikipedia.
There were only five articles in total! One about the Class 26 Red Devil consisting of
exactly three lines of text, a combined article on the Class NG G13 and NG G16 Garratts
87
and one about the Class NG15 Kalahari, both apparently written by someone with an
interest in the Welsh Highland Railway, one about the Class GL Garratt in the
Manchester museum, and one about the Class 91-000. There were more Wikipedia
articles on SA locos written in German than in English (about 30)!
So I added five more lines to the Class 26 article and started an article consisting of a
few lines and a picture on the new Class 15E, and then, like when Forrest Gump started
running, I forgot to stop. Last night, 15 months later, I was "done-ish".
For the results, start at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_of_South_Africa or alternatively, at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_African_locomotive_classes . (Tips on how
to use the pages are at the bottom of this email.)
I've written up all our electrics (51 articles), all our diesels (bar two, 25 articles) and all
our steam (163 of them, except the 1912 Obsoletes and older). My main sources of
information were Frank Holland's two great volumes on SAR steam, Paxton and
Bourne's book, Dusty Durrant's "Twilight" and "Garratt", Pattison's "Cape Class 7", the
1912 SAR renumbering lists, the SAR's loco diagram books, John Middleton's 2009 loco
guide, some locomotive builders' works lists from way back that cleared up some typo
errors in existing literature, and more info from wherever I found it.
I also received HEAPS of feedback and additional information from people like Les
Pivnic, Peter Bagshawe, Leith Paxton, Phil Girdlestone (father of the Red Dragon), John
Middleton, Piotr Staszewski (who shared some of his collection of builders works
number lists), John Faulkner, Rollo Dickson, Trevor Staats, Dave Fortune, Richard
Niven, Robert Maidment-Wilson, Peter Sinclair, Peter Micenko, Malcolm Bates, Grant
Leslie, Gerhard Lesch (father of the Slimkabel), Gary Barnes, Eric Kirkland, Derick
Norton, Colin Summersgill, Carlos Vieira, Aidan McCarthy and several other members
of the SAR-L Yahoo-group that I probably forgot to mention. Even from Dr. Raimund
Loubser, M.M. Loubser's son, on his father's work on the Class 19 and Class 25.
For the modern locomotives I could use mostly my own pictures, but pictures of older
locomotives were sometimes a problem. In the end I received pictures to use from
literally all over the world, and every locomotive was covered. My heartfelt thanks for
sharing pictures to Bob Adams, Eugene Armer, Peter Bagshawe, Charles Baker, John
Batwell, Malcolm Best, Anymouse at KDP, Len du Preez, John Faulkner, Ryan Fincham,
Phil Girdlestone, Hennie Heymans, Bob Hogan, Luca Lategan, Sue Lawrence, Robert
88
Maidment-Wilson, Jacobus Marais, John Middleton, Richard Niven, Hannes Paling,
Leith Paxton, Ian Roberts, Terry Rowe, Gary Ruddy, Jezmundo Smith, Les Smith,
Trevor Staats, Anthony Stanton, Logan Stone, Chris van Wyk, Derek Walker. My
apologies to the ones I forgot....
Most thanks must go to the late members of the 1930s Railway Group, who left us a rich
heritage of some incredible old photographs that were made available from the
collections of Pierre de Wet, Richard Gillatt, Les Pivnic, Leith Paxton and others.
And thanks to Maggie, who'll now have to adapt to me getting to bed before 04:00.....
In case you're wondering, Transnet knows nothing about this project. I tend to doubt
they'd even be interested....
Some tips on how to navigate the article pages:
* All blue text in all articles and lists are links to other articles on Wikipedia. (Red text
too, except that it's a link to an article that does not yet exist.)
* There are no picture credits in the articles themselves. All pictures in all the articles are
reduced in size and are themselves links to that picture's own page, where a larger
picture as well as the picture credits and copyright information are displayed. From that
page, if a larger picture is available, clicking on the picture will open the full-size one.
* Nearly all tables are collapsed since some are huge. Clicking on [show] will open them
and [hide] will collapse them again.
* Near the bottom of each article, a rectangle about "Wikimedia Commons" contains a
link to more pictures of the subject.
* Below the rectangle about "Wikimedia Commons" is a blue bar titled "Locomotives of
SA" with the SA flag, with a [show] button that opens it. It has links to all the
locomotive articles.
* Below that bar is a page rating section. Feel free to use it, but please be gentle....
* Right at the bottom is a list of the categories that each article is sorted into. More
links....
* The same goes for all picture pages. Right at the bottom of each picture page is a list of
the categories each picture is sorted into. More pictures....
Enjoy, and I really hope you'll find it useful. After all, it's free, gratis and for nothing!
Regards,
André, Cape Town
89
Converted from Horribly Oversized to Normal in 1978
Website: http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/grela/chessie01.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_of_South_Africa
http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=12115
5 Bruno Martin
Greetings Hennie
I've just seen your latest edition of The Ulolwe - great reading, very interesting. Now
that I've got images for your Mardall book done I've returned to creating more pages of
the FS mainline relics, I first sent "Relics 2" to Jacques yesterday for clarification on
which image was taken at Smaldeel. Herewith are another 4 pages.
Kind regards
6 Bruno Martin
Hello Hennie
The Railway Atlas of South Africa is still in production (in its 11th year!), 84 maps drawn
so far, still got another 6 or thereabouts to go – compiling the Kimberley tramways map
at the moment. So, I’m approaching the finishing line, slowly but surely.
Boon was keen to publish the Atlas for me, but the situation has changed and I don’t
think that a ‘hard copy’ publication would be viable. I’m leaning towards doing it
electronically, the same way as you publish your journals. I believe that’s way to go.
Once I get to that stage I’ll ask you for advice and how best to go about it.
Best regards, Bruno
Elephant-style in the Eastern Free State
90
From Bethlehem to Ficksburg on our way to the Cherrie Festival some years ago - HBH
Indemnity / Vrywaring
The The Ulolwe contains various and sundry personal opinions of different correspondents and
the compiler of The Ulolwe cannot be held responsible for any of their comments.
Die Ulolwe bevat die uiteenlopende en diverse persoonlike menings van verskillende
korrespondente en die opsteller van Die Ulolwe kan nie vir enige deel van die inhoud daarvan
in sy persoonlike hoedanigheid verantwoordelik gehou word nie.
• Enige advertensies of enige sake voortspruitend is tussen u en die ander party.
Geseënde kersfees & voorspoedige Nuwejaar!
Next Issue
The next issue will be “The Ulolwe” (Zulu for the railways) Vol 3 No 1 and will be
published in January 2012 – Please send in your comments, anecdotes and photogrpahs.
Walk Tall! & Take care!
Stuur solank julle stories, briewe, foto’s en feite – Mooi loop!
Hennie Heymans – Pretoria, ZA. © 2011 [email protected]