How's FOTR doing?

[philipmartin]

Great comment, John. I was wondering if you were firing one of those locos.

Here's aother good one: cab ride to Cullinan. It's like riding the left side of the loco. Get a glimpse of South Africa, at least that portion of it that is alongside the right of way, (permanent way is it called?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhVcj9o ... 3jhsq4phNv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnthefireman]

I don't recall firing the winter 2011 photo shoot, but it's possible.

The new video you link to must be very old, even though Trevor apparently only posted it last year. It's many years since FOTR used 15F no 2914, probably not since the early 2000s, and we stopped picking up pax at Pretoria Station around the same time. One and a half hours or so from Pretoria to Cullinan is very good time, which we are unable to match these days due to signal problems and infrastructure work. And of course the 15F is a fast locomotive. You can clearly see the leaking Sellers valve referred to in the text below the video. Pity she's routed into the loop at Rayton otherwise you'd see the fireman collecting the wooden train staff for the branch line. That loop has been removed now. The last couple of minutes showing a loco pulling into Cullinan is a different 15F, 3094, which I have fired on a number of occasions.

[philipmartin]

Thank you for the inside information on this video, John. It makes me feel like the fireman, looking out the left side of the locomotive, (or is that the driver's side?)

[johnthefireman]

In South Africa the left side is indeed the fireman's side.

[philipmartin]

In South Africa the left side is indeed the fireman's side.

Thank you, John. It's hard for meto keep up, with left, right or middle for the driver.

[philipmartin]

FOTR's Praetoria - Cullinan excursion didn't make it all the way yesterday. The train turned at Eerste Fabrieke station. Metrorail suspended service east of there because of civil unrest and stoning of trains.

[johnthefireman]

Indeed. It was very unfortunate and it has had a negative influence on revenue once again.

On a more positive note, the final move from Capital Park to Hermanstad is going well. A number of out of service locomotives have been towed there by Rovos Rail diesels, more infrastructure is being put in place, and landscaping is been done to accommodate more passengers' cars.

[philipmartin]

I'm glad that there is a bright spot in Friends of the Rail's future.

[johnthefireman]

Some photos of the 19D moving from CPK to Hermanstad posted at http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... 89&t=14492" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnthefireman]

And of less interest, perhaps, some photos of the passenger car parking area at Hermanstad - http://friendsoftherail.com/forum/viewt ... 89&t=14493" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are many photos of Hermanstad, which document the progress since we first obtained the site about ten years ago, at http://friendsoftherail.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=89" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For several years we have been using the site for train departures and coach stabling, and gradually moving equipment and our out-of-service locos and rolling stock there, but our locos have still remained at Capital Park, where there is an inspection pit and coaling stage. Now Rovos Rail, our landlords, have obtained extra rolling stock and locomotives and they need the space, so our entire operation is moving to Hermanstad, with Rovos' assistance.

[philipmartin]

Thanks for all the illustrations John. I love it. The photo of guard trainee Philip shows the distinctive configuration of the end pipes and coupling of vacuum brake hoses. I don't know the reason for it, but they are always arranged that way. Here's the photo that I'm speaking of; a photo of an exquisite Martin Finney model Rover showing the vacuum hose; and an illustration from Mikes Railway History. http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r143.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnthefireman]

Phillip, I've just posted quite a few photos of FOTR's final move from the old site at Capital Park to the new site at Hermanstad. There are several posts in the following sub-fora:

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... m.php?f=89" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... m.php?f=91" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... .php?f=106" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's also an interesting bit of news about a South Africa Cass 25 Condenser locomotive, not at FOTR but involving one of FOTR's drivers at Steamnet 2000, at http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... 15&t=14601" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[philipmartin]

Thank you, John, for keeping us up to date on Friends of the Rail.

[johnthefireman]

And here are photos of the FOTR open day yesterday:

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... 06&t=14682" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... 06&t=14683" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/forum/v ... 06&t=14684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[philipmartin]

Nifty models, one of them with the safety popping off, and nifty full size locos too. Fried sausage, right out of the fire box. What enthusiast could refuse that!