Voortrekkerhoogte branch shunt 1982

[John Ashworth]

Steam shunt on the branch to Voortrekkerhoogte. Formally known as Roberst Heights and today called Thaba Tshwane. A brief photo stop at Artillery halt, with the 19D on a long load of military equipment. Driver Cliff Petzer and Fireman Nathan Berelowitz. 1982

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

I remember arriving there enroute to the SAAF Gymnasium. They were supposed to send Bedfords for us. After a three hour wait in the sun we were marched to the Gym. This was Jan 1978. When I became a driver (Truck and Buses) I would sneak some time out and watch them shunt there. I wonder if that siding is still operational.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

The line is there but in a bad way. No trains pass anymore and it is quite sad. We tried to get the track donated to us as there is lots of heavy rail. We did runa few steam specials up there in the early days.
It was a hard line to work as it was uphill all the way from Cor Delfos junction. We would often work 5 trips a day, as on this particular occasion. The return was tender first and we mostly used the 19D and on occasion, class 24. Troop trains were often banked.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Now that you mentioned it Nathan, I remember that ours was banked.