It was on a beautiful Sunday 04 March 2018, when Moretele Times joined adventure lovers who converged at the Hermanstad station in Pretoria West to get a first-hand experience to ride a steam train organised by a group called, Friends of the Rail. The train is one of the remaining vintage steam trains in Tshwane that uses 7 000 kilograms of coal to be in motion.
Mr Les Labuschagne, Director of Friends of the Rail, said together with his partners, they saw a need to bring back the vintage train to maintain the South African heritage that dates back a century.
“In partnership with Transnet, we want people to get an experience of a steam train on a 70KM trip at a speed of about 60KM/h while exploring the countryside.
“We are also planning to open a training programme to teach black people how to operate a steam train, but my dream is to train and have the first black qualified steam train driver,” he said.
Mr Tseko Shibambu from Centurion and her wife Mrs Dawn Shibambu, brought their son Makolela Shibambu to give him the experience of a steam train compared to the modern trains like Gautrain.
“This experience is fascinating and rustic because it helps us to bond as a family and get to show our child how trains and life in the olden days used to be like. It also brings back that sense of culture to us,” said Mr Shibambu.
Passengers brought their picnic buckets, cooler bags filled with all sorts of refreshment for a two and half hour trip to Cullinan.
The train still uses the old method of hooting and the smell of the coal from the chimney, reminded many of the coal stove fro the olden days.
Some said the hooting reminded them of Huge Masekela’s song, ‘Stimela’ and brought the sense of how people traveled from East and West Africa to South Africa to work in the mines.
On board, there were people from all races who came to experience a steam train ride and to enjoy the scenery of Tshwane.
The steam train demands attention and is not easy to ignore as it is much louder than the modern train. As the train passed Mamelodi Township, community members were fascinated by the hooting of the train and came out, young and old, to wave at passengers on the train who also waved back. At stop stations, people waiting for the Prasa train would also admire the steam train and marveled a the the experience passengers on the steam train were enjoying.
All the fun was spoiled 10 kilometers before reaching Cullinan when Metrorail maintenance crew stopped the steam train because the 150 meters of the remaining railway line had been stolen.
This was a big disappointment for the Friends of the Rail and the passengers because the journey could not be completed to enjoy the traditional dance, traditional food and the opportunity to buy some souvenirs at the exhibitions prepared by the community of Cullinan in expectation of the passengers on the steam train.
Mr Labuschagne expressed his disappointment and frustration at the lost opportunity to fulfil the exploration for the passengers and the programme to uplift the small business in Cullinan.
“It saddens me that our program to uplift our local community in Cullinan and our children’s fun day program in Mamelodi will again be delayed.”
The next steam train voyage is expected to take place on 23 March 2018. For more information on the steam train visit www.friendsoftherail.co.za
