Friends of the Rail Forum

hi everyone
this request is to all those that were at millsite.

i am looking for info and if posible coach numbers that were at millsie.
i have some numbers but my priority is if anyone saw 2754 the drakensberg van or 1214 the first all steel 2nd class coach type E1 in the area ?

appreciate your input in this amtter.
thanks
carlos

Hi Carlos!

Regrettably the scrapping at Millsite continues unabated!

With regards to your request for info, the 2 Drakensburg coaches that were stored within the compound at Millsite, have now been completely distroyed, leaving on the coach frames completely bare. I estimate by next weekend, when FotR and RS return to continue with clearing operations at Millsite these frames will be by then, reduced to nothing more than a huge heap of flame cut scrap steel!

Maybe Geoff Pethic, our resident coaching stock expert can give some details as to what the coach numbers were! Geoff, can you please help here!

With regards to other coaching stock, there is now very little at Millsite to save in this regard. On Saturday's clearing with RS, there is a wooden balcony coach in very sad condition parked in the middle of the compound, togther with a 2nd class steel bodied coach which also not really worth much!
Lastly, there is 3 axle wooden bodied coach that used to be plinthed with SAR Class 6A No# 462 at De Aar. There are numerous photos of these two together assets in assorted publications . . . .
Unfortunately Saturday while busy with clearing operations with RS, I noted that this particular 3 axle coach has already suffered major damaged, making salvage very difficult if not impossible!

Gabor

hi gabor
many thanks for your reply.

i had already spoken to geoff however he had little info. i am working on a list that was given to me by THF or as i know them as TFH--dylan knows the meaning to it.

the second class coach you mentioned i suspect it is type

hi gabor

i pressed the wrong button and i did not finish my mail.

the second class you mentioned i suspect it is the German built second class type E-1 number 1214 that was reserved for the museum. it is a pity she is not preserved as she was the pioneer steel coaches that saw service.

there is a second 1234 which sees NRE service. two more are in Australia in the hotham railway.

the balcony i suspect is a former C-13 from the origins of the CSAR. there were a few there of early SAR time.

once again thanks for your reply
carlos

HI GABOR

further to your reply ,I would like to ask you if you have any photos of the coaching stock at millsite then or now?

If so, any chance that you could let me have a copy?

much appreciated
carlos

Morning Carlos!

Unfortunately I have taken very few pictures of coaches over 2 decades of being actively involved in steam preservation. Even though I for many years live only 20 minutes drive from Millsite, I have never photographed passenger rolling stock there, because at the time I got involved with preservation, they were already looking very sad, let alone that it was difficult to walk around the shed area when harrased by secrutiy staff!
My appreciation lies more with steam locomotives than coaching stock

Gabor.

Hi all
My records show:
60 Dynamometer Car
151 Shire A-18 Dining Car
14122 C-22 (ex 8151) 1st Class articulated mainline (damaged by fire)
14141 C-22 (ex 8174) 1st Class articulated mainline
14190 D-32 (ex C-25) (ex 8240) 1st & 2nd Class mainline
14189 D-32 (ex 8549) 1st & 2nd Class mainline
14188 E-13 (ex 1717) 2nd Class mainline
2167 F-16-C 1st/2nd/3rd Class mainline
9010 KS-2-M Electric Parcels Van
9544 L-14-D First Class driving trailer

Plus a K-42 and K-43 and possibly a couple of others.

There were a lot more there initially but over the years many have been destroyed by fire. Unfortunately very few people pay attention to the coaching stock, there's little outrage at coaches being destroyed but scrap a loco and......

Regards
Geoff Pethick