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Monday 4th June 2007 - the last day in the Creighton / Donnybrook / Deepdale area for the tourists

The GMAM mixed train left Creighton at 07h00 for Donnybrook for the last photographic run-pasts.  The 19D No.2685 was due to leave after the GMAM train had cleared the section pulling the staff coaches and the service vehicles

Dawn breaks over Creighton as the GMAM and 19D shunt into position for the last photoshoot in this part of Natal

 
On the way up to Donnybrook (07h26)

Coming toward a photographic run-past (07h53)

The children were awe inspired with what they saw (08h02)
 
The GMAM No.4074 pulls past an excited crowd (08h56)

09h22 and the start of the last run-past for the day
Probably the last photograph of Umgeni Steam Railways' own running GMAM No.4074 will see for a few years to come. 

Although looking fine in this picture later in the day, on the way back to Pietermaritzburg, a lot of stay caps started leaking.  Unfortunately most of these are under the cab and between the frame.
Our tourists de-train for the last time in this part of the world Their coaches taking them on to their next destination before rejoining USR in Pietermaritzburg The 19D No.2685 arrives from Creighton on time ...and then our coalman arrives from the local Spar...the Newlands Spar
       
...easy really, drop side of DZ, pull out bag on the Hyster... ...drive 25M down platform, lift Hyster 4.5M and tilt toward tender and voila !! Collar & Tie and all. Well done indeed to Jeremy Newlands for his personal assistance and hands-on work
 

Jeremy Newlands - Owner/Manager of the "Newlands Spar" in Donnybrook
Surely a day he will not forget in a hurry.  The day a steam train dropped in for a quick service
 
Nearly time for the off again... Johan Nel assists our favourite shunter in the changing of the points... ... and after the shunting Ashley has time to catch up on the mound of paperwork for the trains records.  Didn't he want to leave paperwork behind in Durban ?
 
Even Alan Wilson gets domesticated...  (Heather... see he is good while he is away)   Oom George Greef as he reflects (pardon the pun) on the days activities
     

... and then there was the case of the Creighton sandwich that came through the window during the trip home... or was it the rock that was thrown ?
Johan Nel receives the mounted rock as being of the best "target" on the tour - July 1st 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

The mounted sandwich... tut tut I mean rock that caused all the damage...  Our thanks to Alan Wilson for making it into a nice trophy, a one to remember the tour by.