South Africa
- Thread starter MadHatter
- Start date
Hi UP SD40-2!
Alas, I don't have a layout as yet, but I'm busy building a portable HO layout that can be folded up into a suitecase, will post pics on my progress- and YES I've got tons of info on those locos and pics too, as I get time I will slowely but surely post them under this thread. That is a pic from one of our conventions.
As a matter of perspective and interest the locos here are only as high as the nose on your SD40-2s. That is a General Electric brancline diesel, 4 stroke, V8 turbo charged after cooled diesel engine (Engine type U15C). We also have a GM version (engine type GT18MC)- Locally known as the class 35.
Thanks for the interest.
Alas, I don't have a layout as yet, but I'm busy building a portable HO layout that can be folded up into a suitecase, will post pics on my progress- and YES I've got tons of info on those locos and pics too, as I get time I will slowely but surely post them under this thread. That is a pic from one of our conventions.
As a matter of perspective and interest the locos here are only as high as the nose on your SD40-2s. That is a General Electric brancline diesel, 4 stroke, V8 turbo charged after cooled diesel engine (Engine type U15C). We also have a GM version (engine type GT18MC)- Locally known as the class 35.
Thanks for the interest.
Hi Torpedo
Those coaches used to belong to Main Line Passenger Services, they are now owned- since 1990- by Spoornet which Privatised from the Government (used to be South African Railways + Harbours). The new name for MLPS is Shoshaloza Meyl, which in English means "We are moving forward". That is the new colour scheme for their coaches.
I call them "Lolipop" coaches
Those coaches used to belong to Main Line Passenger Services, they are now owned- since 1990- by Spoornet which Privatised from the Government (used to be South African Railways + Harbours). The new name for MLPS is Shoshaloza Meyl, which in English means "We are moving forward". That is the new colour scheme for their coaches.
I call them "Lolipop" coaches
That reminds me of a photo... hold on... http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=98864 It's not in South Africa, but the small engine is a standard GE export model, a U20C, which is also found in South Africa. (Well, at least one kind is; there are two models which used the U20C designation.) The large engine is built to US loading gauge, though it's not exactly a domestic model. The loading gauge difference looks about the same as what you describe between South Africa and the US. I never realized it was "only up to the nose" until you mentioned it!
I want to come to America so I can see how big your trains are- especially the
SD 90 MACs and the Big Boy (UP is my favourite US road and the BNSF). Because you can't tell the difference until you've actually seen it- I even want to see your double storey coaches and those auto racks.
Thanks for the pic Triplex
SD 90 MACs and the Big Boy (UP is my favourite US road and the BNSF). Because you can't tell the difference until you've actually seen it- I even want to see your double storey coaches and those auto racks.
Thanks for the pic Triplex
Lady older than 100 years
This is a Class 6A and she is over 100 years old
.
I photographed her at the museum where I volunteer, the South African National Railway and Steam Museum (SANRASM).
She normally gets given three to four coaches but the shot was taken in January when everyone is down at the coast.
This is a Class 6A and she is over 100 years old
.I photographed her at the museum where I volunteer, the South African National Railway and Steam Museum (SANRASM).
She normally gets given three to four coaches but the shot was taken in January when everyone is down at the coast.
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Shots inside a CTC tower.
Luckily my friend is the tower operator and he let us come up to visit him in the CTC tower on the Harmony Gold Mine.
Here is an example of a panel that you may find in a tower.
Everything looks nearby but that is a good few Kilometers of track.
SANRASM has permission to run their open days over a part of the mine system.
Luckily my friend is the tower operator and he let us come up to visit him in the CTC tower on the Harmony Gold Mine.
Here is an example of a panel that you may find in a tower.
Everything looks nearby but that is a good few Kilometers of track.
SANRASM has permission to run their open days over a part of the mine system.
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Maybe you can answer this simple question, about which I've heard vague and conflicting information. When did regular steam working end on SAR?
Yep, took some staring but I finally found him! Nice scene.
Triplex- The phasing out of steam in South Africa started in the '80s, but the official year was January 1st, 1990.
Spoornet took over South African Transport Services (SATS), which used to be South African Railways & Harbours, which used to be South African Railways, which came from four amalgamated railways.
Spoornet (which, in English, means Tracknet) has just had a name change to Transnet Freight Rail- a stupid name in my opinion.
Sorry, more info than needed! But ja, 1st Jan '90- Gone But not Forgotten.
Congrats TrainNut!
Spoornet took over South African Transport Services (SATS), which used to be South African Railways & Harbours, which used to be South African Railways, which came from four amalgamated railways.
Spoornet (which, in English, means Tracknet) has just had a name change to Transnet Freight Rail- a stupid name in my opinion.
Sorry, more info than needed! But ja, 1st Jan '90- Gone But not Forgotten.
Congrats TrainNut!
Although I crossed and recrossed the mainline several times as I moved north from Cape Town to Jo-burg, I actually saw very little traffic anywhere!
I have an interest in South African railroads...but I'm already stretched thin between Colorado Narrow Gauge (36"), Midwestern mainlines, a future German module, and a future...small...OO British layout.
I enjoy learning about commonwealth and germanic railroads...not too kean on French or Italian RRs.
I enjoy learning about commonwealth and germanic railroads...not too kean on French or Italian RRs.
Having ridden on many of the European railroads (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Austrian, Czech, Hungarian, Slovakian and Croatian), I too would have to put the Italian ones near the bottom of my list. I have yet to ride one that left or arrived on time! The few French trains I have been on were usually dirty and the employees were universally rude.
I've actually had good experiences on SNCF...it is just that their locomotives and the Italian ones are ugly. I was also there in December...and my French friend, Luc, was shocked when I told him that the Parisians were polite to me.
It is funny that you've found the Italian railways to, um, not have pocket watches...as that fits with the personalities of the Italians I know at school!
Which ones did you like the best, Bob?
I liked the Austrians ones...my heart belongs to Vienna.
It is funny that you've found the Italian railways to, um, not have pocket watches...as that fits with the personalities of the Italians I know at school!
Which ones did you like the best, Bob?
I liked the Austrians ones...my heart belongs to Vienna.
I imagine the best run are the German ones. Many years ago I lived in Germany and they were the most prompt mode of transporation I have ever experienced. The Austrian RR was also excellent. If you enjoy a little adventure in your life, in 2005 we rode trains from Prague to Budapest, stayed there for a few days, then back on the train to Zagreb, Croatia. No ICEs or TEEs! Just the basics, but not at all crowded and all in all a great trip. And yes, the engines were ugly, at least by our "standards"