Join Peter Rogers for the rebirth of South African long distance steam excursions. In 2019, Peter worked in the planning and operation of the first rail tour in in over fifteen years, and he documents the eight day, 1100 mile rail trip through South Africa's beautiful countryside.

http://thetracksidephotographer.com/202 ... ur-reborn/

Edd Fuller, Editor
The Trackside Photographer
http://thetracksidephotographer.com/

I have a couple of friends who have been to South Africa in the past 2-3 years and they told me horror stories about the condition of the railroad net there. Miles of track are gone from thieves taking rails and overhead wires, lineside stations vandalized to the point where you could tell what they were for, and what one friend called, "A real-life Mad Max situation" with the South African railroad network.

That echos a report I received from a long time railfan friend who recently visited So.Africa and was VERY disappointed to say it politely.

His advice was to avoid it at all costs. Ross Rowland

Here is a BBC story on the South African rail network as well as a short video:

Looted South African rail stations in ruins as new trains gather dust | AFP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZtUsUYIPNA

South Africa's railways: How thieves have destroyed the network
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60202570

I went to South Africa for two weeks in October 1986, traveled across the country and had a wonderful time. I confess that, although I like trains, I didn't ride a single one while I was there.

Today I wouldn't step foot in the country.

Hello,

Edd, thank you for posting this. Very nice story and wonderful photos!

With the recent revival of the 3450 Red Devil, it was good to see Ceres get it back on the road. It’s road time seemed short lived. I get the sense it needs a major overhaul. In its brief operation, it seemed to be struggling, ……safety valves not seating, rod packing leaking. I believe on one run it outright failed and needed towed back. Being on lease and owned by Transnet it’s hard to justify making serious investment if you cannot retain it in the long term. Hoping it sees better days.

In Google maps, if you search and go to Orange River and Street View the bridge overpass crossing the infamous Kimberly to DeAar main line……it appears they have started to reduce it to single track. Back in the heyday, there were many movies of the Class 25 steam power launching out of Orange River under that road bridge hammering upgrade to DeAar.

Post COVID, with the severe state the country and of Transnet, it’s difficult to comprehend how Rohan Vos makes Rovos Rail viable. ( essentially. A 5 star luxury tour train service based in Capital Park, Pretoria.) The Rovos guests must fly in and be transported right to Capital Park. Vos has at least (3) class 25 steam locos and some smaller but his steam is relegated to arrivals and departures, diesel or electric take the balance of the long distance trips. Rovos Rail’s history is a fascinating story. They may have 5-6 train sets now? They were doing quite well until COVID…..awesome once in a lifetime adventure if you can afford it!

Regards,

Randy