Friends of the Rail Forum

I have just received this very positive news.

They need every bit of support - I hope that there will be enough regular visitors to justify this project.
FOLLOWING IS THE MESSAGE:

For the attention of Mr Piet Conradie

Good day to you.

I am writing this email in the hope that you receive this. It is connection with your website regarding the Heidelberg Railway/Transport museum.

After a very long and lengthy battle, as a Committee member and on behalf of the Community Unity Effort Association and through our Chairperson Mr Kobus Brits we are reopening the Heidelberg station.

The Community Unity Effort Association a non profit organisation in conjunction with the heritage foundation will be opening the station on the 28th November 2009. It is planned as a community day. We will also be working towards fully restoring the buildings, rolling stock and restocking the station museum . It will take time but we are very confident about bringing the Grand Lady back to her former glory.

We shall keep you posted of progress.

Best regards

Stafford Currin

Heidelberg

Gauteng

016 3492572

083 3317996

Best news I have heard all week!

Very good news indeed.

Keep us posted please...............

Hello all Friends
I have been sent this latest position (received 2 Feb 2010) on the old Heidelberg Station project.
Please contact Stafford Currin should you want to confirm before you visit.
Regards
Piet Conradie

**********
Just to update you regarding the Heidelberg Transport Museum. We (CUE) now have the go ahead to undertake various events, exhibitions etc at the Heidelberg Station (Former transport museum). Commencing with the launch on the 26th March 2010.

We are also planning on holding our Heidelberg Visual Arts exhibitions “Kuns op die perron/Art on the platform” every fourth Saturday.

Due to the sad neglect of the buildings we are also starting a Restoration Project Fund called the “Friends of the former Heidelberg Transport Museum” in order that we can start to bring the grand old lady back to her proud self again. Should your members or those on your website be interested in also donating any historical, or railway memorabilia (not much is left) we would be grateful to hear from them.

Best regards

Stafford Currin

Heidelberg

Gauteng

016 3492572

083 3317996

I visited the museum this morning (27 Jan 2012) and spoke to Sipho, who was very very helpful and who showed me around the site. It is difficult to say what the situation is, but he did say that if people wanted to visit the museum they must phone them on 016-341-2091 and arrange that there is somebody there. The Curator, also called Sipho, was not there when I was, but it seems as if they do have a lot of hope for rejuvenating the museum. Unfortunately they are not open over a weekend, but during the week they seem to be only to happy to have visitors.
As for the exhibits: there are 5 coaches, of which 2 are diners, 2 are passenger saloons and one is a bag van. The interiors of the coaches are in a beautiful condition, the woodwork glows in them and there is that faint leather and wood smell. sadly the one end of the bag van is not in a good condition, probably becasue it is reasonably exposed at the end of the platform where the roof doesnt quite cover it. Because the coaches are covered they have managed to stand up to the weather very well. All are painted brown.
The 16CR is in not too bad a condition, although a lot of her piping has been stolen, he cabside plate was also nicked, but subsequently recovered and is in storage. Her cab is reasonably intact too. She is in need of a coat of paint, but is under cover so its protected.
The old station building is magnificent, but the roof need repainting and a lot of the wooodwork is dry and cracking, it is in dire need of restoration before its too late. I will post pics as soon as I can figure out which gallery to post in.

An update (of sorts) posted in http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... 3&start=15