3518 class 25NC, Perdeberg, June 1977

[Steve Appleton]

From the photographer Dennis Mitchell:

This was 3518 (converted from condenser to non-condenser) + 3504 (still a condenser) at Perdeberg taking water in June 1977. The passenger behind 3486 had just left and these two will soon be making their way to Bloemfontein. This was the busiest single track line in the world then with 75-80 trains per day.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

That averages a train every 20 minutes. A Photographers dream

[Derek Walker]

A very expensive dream, considering that in those days photographers were shooting film or slides and a whole days jaunt out there would leave you with a stiff bill for D+P. I know when I did ship photography the photography aspect of it was very steep pricewise. Nowadays you are limited by your memory card and batteries, but sadly there isnt anything left to photograph.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

One forgets about D + P. I can go and do a photo shoot rattle off 150 photos. Choose the best 50, Photoshop them and have 20 developed for less than R50.00. You should get close to 500 high quality photos on a 2 gig card. We in the Western Cape are only limited to Toasters and Pariffin Burners. With FOTR , Reef Steamers , Rovos I don't know of any more running up there, you have a nice variety.

[Jez Smith]

Nothing wrong with Toasters and Paraffin burners, Stefan!! At least you still HAVE locos, unlike us!!
...And there's no better toaster than a South African toaster.

For pics of South African and UK trains (and buses) visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/35869448@N05/

[Derek Walker]

Nothing wrong with Toasters and Paraffin burners, Stefan!! At least you still HAVE locos, unlike us!!
...And there's no better toaster than a South African toaster.

For pics of South African and UK trains (and buses) visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/35869448@N05/

Jez,

You have some great pics on that flickr site of yours, I must take a stroll through it. And, if its any consolation, I have always had a affection for a toaster too.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

I just wish we had more of them. You could go sit on the Main Line between Worcester and De Doorns and wait for 3 hours and not see a train. The first time We went to Matjiesfontein from 2pm on a Sunday till 10am the next day I countered 48 trains. I might have missed a few whilst sleeping . That was in 1984.