Thieves disturbed by steam special while in process of stealing sleepers!

摘要

On November 25, South African steam operator Friends of the Rail began its Christmas season of day-trip specials from the dedicated Hermanstad base, in Pretoria, to the popular tourist destination of Cullinan, some 50km away. Cullinan is at the end of a lightly-used 9km branch from the eastbound electrified main line. It has previously been subject to theft of steel sleepers, in one case resulting in 15F 4-8-2 No. 3117 derailing about two years ago (this column passim). A programme is now in place by Transnet Freight Rail to replace all steel sleepers with concrete.