All pictures Copyright © 2002 Trevor Staats

The first day of this tour kicked off with a trip from Simonstown back to Cape Town behind 16D 860. Hauling a side-door suburban, a lounge and another suburban, the 16D stack talk sounded great as she performed for the cameras along the scenic coastal line in the Cape winter sunshine. Later on 860 hauled the Union Limited from Cape Town station to Dal Josafat.

All pictures Copyright © 2002 Trevor Staats

A beautiful Cape autumn (well, almost winter) day saw the Red Devil haul a mixed train from Worcester to Ashton and return. After the trip to Simonstown and back the previous day (with 16D 860), the Union limited main train was staged at Worcester while the Class 26 took over for the day's activities. The load was 26 3450+DZ+DZ+FZJ+FZJ+DZ+FZJ+DZ+DZ+Suburban.

A chilly start gave great steam effects, although an unscheduled stop just out of Worcester was a concern, given 3450's recent track record... But all was fine, and the first runpast was held at the Nuy turnoff. A nice long run for the cameras and an enthusiastic climb up over the level crossing had my kids bolting back to the car!

A further runpast was held a little further on while we waited on the climb to Mowers. The train stormed up in fine style before the long downgrade through Vink. Another runpast was held past Vink on the climb up, we had set up a little further on but a further runpast was held at our spot as well. Luckily for me as my video camera battery was suddenly flat and I had to dash back down the hill to get the spare! I made it just in time.

Then another shot near Ashton before we arrived at the station. A bit of shunting and loco requirements, and many of the passengers walked to the main street to see 14CRB 2010 on her plinth. We tried some "egte-regte-lekker-Ashton-ham-en-kaas-vetkoek" which certainly filled the stomach, quite tasty.

We followed the train back to Worcester with runpasts held just out of Ashton, at the Bonnievale road, the station near Vink (name?), and near Mowers. Almost perfect weather (a few clouds came in later in the afternoon) and a good performance by the Red Devil made it a fantastic day.

All pictures Copyright © 2002 Trevor Staats

A cold and cloudy morning at Wolseley, and an interesting line-up in the yard, with the Red Devil, two green 5E's and 19D 3323 waiting around. Shortly after 8:00, the 19D departed for Ceres and Prince Alfred Hamlet with a short mixed train. A few runpasts were held along the way, including the scenic Michell's Pass. Unfortunately the grey clouds persisted, with a bit of sun coming through whilst the loco was turned at Prince Alfred Hamlet.

After arriving back at Wolseley, the Red Devil picked up the mixed plus a few other wagons and took the empty stock through to Dal Josafat. This run included some spirited mainline running along the section between Gouda and Hermon. The 5E's then took the coal wagons, 19D and Union Limited through to Hermon, where 19D 3321 waited to double head the Union Limited through to Porterville.

All pictures Copyright © 2002 Trevor Staats

Hermon - Porterville 28 May 2002

The earlier threatening clouds gave way to solid rain as the double-headed Dollies 3321 and 3323 departed Hermon with the Union Limited train. We followed the train in the continuing downpour but photography was a bit difficult in the conditions! The Dollies crossed a lengthy cement train at Riebeek Wes, hauled by two class 35's. The Union Limited train was staged overnight at Porterville.

All pictures Copyright © 2002 Trevor Staats

Graafwater - Malmesbury 2 June 2002

An early start and a long drive north from Cape Town towards Graafwater saw us arrive a while after the train had left... So we headed back south along the service road and caught up with the Union Limited train (hauled by 19D 3323 and 15F 3152) near the Valentinusfontein farm. A runpast was held here, with great steam effects in the cold morning air.

Some lovely shots were to be had amongst the mountains, and the lovely sunshine persisted throughout the day as the train headed south towards Malmesbury. A service stop was held at Moravia followed by a runpast on the Berg River Bridge, then a great run back to Malmesbury.

All pictures Copyright © 2002 Trevor Staats