Taken from “South African Railways Magazine “June 1960. I have removed some of the text as not to cause offence. Geneem uit “South African Railways Magazine” Junie 1960. Ek het van die teks verwyder om nie aanstoot te veroorsaak nie.
In South Africa and South West Africa, where the South African Railways operated, all early mainline railway construction took place working inland from harbours and ports. Construction on these lines began in the years from 1859 to 1887 in South Africa and from 1897 to 1908 in South West Africa.(now Nambia) In Europe except for Ireland and some former SSR Countries mainline railways run on tracks having a gauge of 1435 mm (4′-8 ½”) between the rails (known as the Standard Gauge), whereas in Southern Africa the gauge is the Cape Gauge of 1067mm (3′-6″). Sadly The Railways of South Africa have fallen in to decline, due to under investment and crime.
In Suid-Afrika en Suidwes-Afrika, waar die Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë bedryf was, het alle vroeë hooflyn-spoorwegkonstruksie plaasgevind in die binneland vanaf hawens en hawens. Konstruksie aan hierdie lyne het in die jare van 1859 tot 1887 in Suid-Afrika begin en van 1897 tot 1908 in Suidwes-Afrika. (nou Namibië) In Europa, behalwe vir Ierland en sommige voormalige SSR-lande, loop hoofspoorweë op spore met ‘n spoorbreedte van 1435 mm (4′-8 ½”) tussen die relings (bekend as die Standard Gauge), terwyl die spoor in Suider-Afrika die Kaapse Gauge van 1067mm (3’-6″) is. Ongelukkig het die Spoorweë van Suid-Afrika verval, weens onderbelegging en misdaad.
My own connection with the SAR is the many years I spent in Southern Africa, and the many journeys I made on these wonderful railways. One trip I will always remember is from Jo’burg to Cape Town, when I had a bath on the journey, yes it was the Blue Train. I also remember the fantastic meals served in the restaurant cars on the long distance trains, 90% which were Steam hauled. I remember the unofficial foot plate rides and even being allowed to drive the loco. My favourite line was the Ladismith (Western Cape) Branch, which sadly closed due to flooding in the 1980’s. I have since heard tha the beautiful Station at Ladismith has burnt down due to Arson.
Medyka Bahn models are proud to make a selection of South African models in H0. Please see our on line shop for details. I have put some images of items from my collection, and photos of the Ladismith branch below.
My eie verbintenis met die SAR is die baie jare wat ek in Suider-Afrika deurgebring het, en die baie reise wat ek op hierdie wonderlike spoorweë gemaak het. Een reis wat ek altyd sal onthou is van Jo’burg na Kaapstad, toe ek op die reis gebad het, ja dit was die Bloutrein. Ek onthou ook die fantastiese maaltye wat in die restaurantwaens op die langafstandtreine bedien is, 90% wat met stoom aangery is. Ek onthou die nie-amptelike voetplaatritte en dat ek selfs toegelaat is om die loko te bestuur. My gunstelinglyn was die Ladismith (Wes-Kaap) Tak, wat ongelukkig gesluit het weens vloede in die 1980’s. Ek het sedertdien gehoor dat die pragtige Stasie by Ladismith afgebrand het as gevolg van Brandstigting.
Medyka Bahn-modelle is trots om ‘n seleksie van Suid-Afrikaanse modelle in H0 te maak. Sien asseblief ons aanlyn winkel vir besonderhede. Ek het ‘n paar beelde van items uit my versameling en foto’s van die Ladismith-tak hieronder gesit.
South African Railways Fish Knive and Fork from a dining car.They are marked “SAR CD” (South African Railways, Cape Division) Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë Vismes en Vurk uit ‘n eetwa. Hulle is gemerk “SAR CD” (Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë, Kaapse Afdeling)
The super service in the dining car Die super diens in die eetwa
A book on Cape Locomotives, with a hand made leather cover. Given to me as a Birthday gift ‘n Boek oor Kaapse lokomotiewe, met ‘n handgemaakte leeromslag. Aan my gegee as ‘n verjaarsdaggeskenk
From Rhodesia Van Rhodesië
Page made 19th Febuary 2023 © Medyka Bahn
Bladsy gemaak 19 Februarie 2023 © Medyka Bahn