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Thursday 7th June 2007 - sees the last day of the SLST Tour finish the photoshoots on the Thornville and Baynesfield section with the Garratt GF No.2380

The Garratt GF No.2380 raises some steam as it climbs out of Pentrich Station up toward Thornville Driver "Org" van Staden waits for instructions Perhaps the normal photographers missed this one - a rare shot of a water system for filling tank locos - Baynesfield Station Neal Bodger finished the coal trimming waits for Ashley "Shunt-A-Lot" Peter to finish his "tricks"
       

Garratt GF No.2380 hauls the short mixed train past the first photo run-past

Even its smaller size than that of the Garratt GMAM the Garratt GF No.2380 stills looks awesome from track-side

Early(ish) in the morning and the clear cool air adds something special to the Garratt's effort

Typical African thornveld surrounds the train as it steams up toward Foxhill

The typical flared outline of the Garratt GF's tender as she is highlighted by the crystal clear blue sky
 

 

Reminds me somewhat of what Dennis Moore was saying in his book "The Shimmer of Steel"

Showing quite clearly the age of the Thornville line - 1965 was the last time the rail was laid
... and now some happy photographers lining up [well they are used to that] for that well deserved beer or cool drink ...

Umgeni Steam Railways' own infamous driver,Monday, July 13, 2009 8:22

It brought back memories for him as they had travelled to this point last year, 1Km Monday, July 13, 2009 8:22assengers for a day at Baynesfield Estate.

Then... disaster struck... we ran out of water... and rescue for the crew took 4-hours.

Thankfully, knowing what had happened, the Baynesfield Management organised vehicles - both vintage, old and new - to collect the passengers.

Whilst yours truly was manning the level crossing the Garratt GF No.2380 started on its plethora of run-pasts.  The photographers were really trying to get their monies worth at this very quaint section of line.

Notice the ash on the line at the level crossing deposited as the GF's ash-pan tries to mimic that of the operation of a road grader !

Spot the deliberate mistake - don't stand behind a tour photographer as, when he has finished taking his shot, he will stand up, oblivious to others that might be still busy....
 

Marc Bouchier - the behind the scenes Umgeni Steam Railway loco manager, looking pensive on the way home to Mason Mill

Webmaster Graham Gillett - signals the red flag for the end of the 2007 tour

Left to right: Alan Wilson, Andy Anderson, Grant Fryer (front) Johan Nel (partly hidden), Chris Moore, Ashley Peter (front), Neal Bodger (partly hidden), Robbie Macgregor, Marc Bouchier, Gordon Lumsden, Graham Gillett, Roy Raats, Peter Odell

 

Our thanks go to all the hard work put in by the staff & members of Umgeni Steam Railway, and others, for their efforts in making this memorable trip possible, a true "Team Effort"

For the leave everyone had to take from work, for all the early mornings... and late nights, for the stress, for the repairs - before during and after, for the spirit of running steam, for the lost "brownie points" with wives and girlfriends, and... for the humour, without which we would have been a sad bunch

In no particular order of importance:

Locomotives - Simon Anderson, Brendon Anderson, Benny Pieterse, Marc Bouchier, Gordon Lumsden, Roy Raats, "Org" van Staden (PCNGR), George Greef, Peter Odell

Organisation, pumping & shunting - Andy Anderson, Robbie Macgregor, Ashley Peter, Neal Bodger, Johan Nel

General Assistance - Grant Fryer, Alan Wilson, Alan Hall, Ken Forded, Chris Moore

Coach & Wagon - Gerhard Killian, Ian Meyer