Friends of the Rail Forum

In a letter yesterday to HRASA, as a part of their contribution to the heritage celebrations that will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first public train to run in South Africa, Transnet Freight Rail has agreed to waive all access costs for certain Heritage Day weekend steam trains.

The first public train ran between Durban and Point on 26th June 1860. However, the actual celebrations were deliberately delayed by the steam clubs until this Heritage Day weekend to avoid conflict with the 2010 Football World Cup.

This gesture applies to:
Umgeni Steam Railway's 24th September trip between Inchanga and Point in Durban and return,
Friends of the Rail's special Sunday 26th September trip to Cullinan and return, and
Apple Express's 26th September trip from Port Elizabeth to Witteklip and return.

I am not sure why some other steam clubs appear to have been left out of this. However the FOTR trip is being run with the assistance and support of the companion club, Reefsteamers.

Transnet Freight Rail is to be commended and heartily thanked for this. I am sure this gesture will be really appreciated by the clubs and that TFR will be accorded appropriate publicity on those trains.

GREAT news indeed. Well done to HRASA and TFR for coming with excellent idea. Certainly I hope positive small "wheel turns", down the correct line for the future . . .

Well done! Now if only Atlantic Rail can also do something on that day, now THAT will be steam heaven :)

It seems that HRASA's patient engagement and relationship-building with TFR is bearing fruit. Congratulations to HRASA, and thanks to TFR for this very welcome gesture.

Luca do you think that would be at all possible. Also we have the AAD Air Show in Cape Town Ysterplaat on the 24th and 25th where over 100 000 people are expected each day.

AAD is the exact reason that no trains will be running. Most enthusiasts and potential pax are going to the airshow. I know I am!

TFR are supporting the planned 150 year trains- these are the three which clubs have proposed and are organising. No other commemoration trains are planned and confirmed at this stage.
These trains would have run at a loss when one considers the free tickets made available to guests and friends, together with norganisational and catering costs. The tremendous gesture by TFR will allow them to break even, and thus allow the clubs to pay tribute to the occasion without suffering financial loss.
We hope that this heralds a new era of awareness and support for heritage rail in South Africa!

WOW!!!
So TFR actually acknowledges the value of steam clubs???
A small step for TFR, a giant leap for steam preservation!
:-D