Friends of The Rail
Friends of The Rail is a non-profit group of train enthusiasts who have been keeping the heart of Pretoria’s vintage steam locomotives beating since 1986 for people to experience the history of the railways and the Capitals’ landscape.
By: Letlhogonolo Ndhlovu
It is the 26th of October 2014 and we are on board a brown Locomotive 19D number 2650- built in Germany 1937- with wooden interior and blue leather seats, ShowMe Pretoria was heading on a day trip to Cullinan from the FOTR depot in Hermannstad. The train captain, Nathan Berelowitz announced that it would take approximately 2 – 3 hours to reach our destination.
We are the only people using the railways of Cullinan at the moment…
Billows of smoke, chuff of steam and the wagon with iron wheels rumbled on the iron rails.
Through the window, framing the world outside these old carriages we see industrial Pretoria leaving PPC behind heading for Capital Park then suburban Gezina and then the township Mamelodi.
We steam passed children waving at the train, making the passengers feel as if we’ve left behind a familiar place, another waiting for us.
In the train; passengers moved up and down buying snacks such as pancakes, coffee and sweets which combined with the proceeds from the ticket sales, help keep the train in good working condition.
Close to Cullinan the intercom announces historical facts about the biggest hole in South Africa which used to house the biggest concentration camp of Italian Prisoners of War captured in North Africa.
“We are the only people using the railways of Cullinan at the moment,” mentioned Nathan Berelowitz.
The Cullinan Railway Station was used for both the troops and the Italian prisoners of war.
Arriving at the small unique town of Cullinan; passengers had the entire day to explore the train, the big diamond hole, food, crafts, art, historical homes or picnic with the family before inhaling the last bit of smoke from the train’s chimney and listening to its rumbling on the journey back to the FOTR depot.
Visit www.friendsoftherail.com for more information.
Here are Pictures of Friends of The Rail train trip:
View our Events and Entertainment page to find out when the next Friends of The Rail trip to Cullinan will be and other events happening in and around the city.