The Malmesbury Express is the only diesel worked Suburban commuter train in the Cape and one of only a handful throughout South Africa.
While PRASA operated, the motive power is provided by TFR and if you add the usage of mainline coaches into the equation it makes for a unique train. The Malmesbury owes its configuration to a number of circumstances. Electrification ends at Kraaifontein forcing the use of diesel's and Metro don't have enough for the task nor do they operate the branch line.
The service ran for many years using modified suburban rolling stock fitted with additional steps and running board lights. However, with ladder-like steps and no grab irons on either side of the doors, the coaches proved difficult to use especially at remote stops with short or no platforms. The current mainline day sitter coaches have steps and doors that taper inward making them far easier to walk up and not climb. They also don't require any additional pneumatic connections to operate the doors.
 |
ISO 100, 1/640sec, f10 at 55mm |
The Hottentots - Holland mountains provide a hazy backdrop as an 'on-time' Malmesbury Express approaches Klipheuwel for their scheduled 15:10 stop.
Locomotive Numbers: 35-444 (Lead) and 35-038.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f8 at 95mm |
Indeed, it is very rare to see the Malmesbury Express behind a single locomotive nowadays. Multiple locomotives are the norm on this train as they usually get left in that configuration after their last freight working or are kept that way for the following task. Here the train is seen arriving and then departing Mellish at 06:38.
Locomotive Number: 35-038.
 |
| ISO 200, 1/800sec, f8 at 55mm |
 |
| ISO 200, 1/800sec, f8 at 32mm |
 |
| ISO 200, 1/800sec, f8 at 55mm |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| ISO 200, 1/200sec, f11 at 155mm |
Saturday, 22 April 2017
Built to be functional, Cape Town station is certainly a place not likely to win any beauty awards. I was actually filming the departure as part of a video compilation. The driver assistant can be seen inspecting a rather smokey 35-002 prior to departure.
Locomotive Number: 35-411 (Lead) and 35-002.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f8 at 125mm |
The Malmesbury Express slowing for its next stop at Mikpunt is seen sporting an old Spoornet livery day sitter coach. This coach is still fitted with windows that open fully and is favourited by local enthusiasts that occasionally take excursions on the Malmesbury. Scoring a ride in this "special" coach isn't a done deal though, as PRASA utilise two different sets of coaches on this train, alternating them periodically.
Locomotive Numbers: 35-009 (Lead) and 35-019.
 |
| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f8 at 140mm |
 |
| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f8 at 80mm |
 |
| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f8 at 120mm |
 |
| ISO 400, 1/800sec, f13 at 20mm |
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Regardless of what one would think, this photograph is not a digital enhancement and was accidentally created by a lens hood that is too long. I intended to discard the photograph but decided against it after receiving positive feedback from like-minded friends. Don't recall the reason for using ISO 400... might have been an accident as well. The train is seen slowing for its stop at Wintervogel siding with the high afternoon sun casting horrible shadows on the wheels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f9 at 27mm |
Overcast weather makes for a rather moody photograph as the Express departs Mellish en route to Malmesbury. The siding in the distance is still used by Transnet that deliver ammonium for local cattle farms. One such vehicle can be seen staged on the siding.
Locomotive Numbers: 35-486 (Lead) and 35-018.
 |
| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f9 at 49mm |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| ISO 400, 1/640sec, f8 at 49mm |
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Taken while on our way to a New Years get together this was literally the last photograph for 2015. Already slowing for its next stop at Abbotsdale this is one of the few locations in the section where sunlight will illuminate the front of the locomotive, but only during summer months.
Locomotive Numbers: 35-446 (Lead) and 35-037.
 |
| ISO 400, 1/640sec, f8 at 33mm |
 |
| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f9 at 27mm |
Saturday, 18 July 2015
Metro 2661 making good time as the train passes the two and a half kilometre marker on the outskirts of Kraaifontein. 35-038 is still sporting a Spoornet blue livery, a colour scheme that was becoming increasingly rare at this time.
The modern distance marker is a rather simple item, usually consisting of an old sleeper buried in a vertical position. Distances are painted on with the triangle indicating half a kilometre. Older distance markers were cast in concrete with recessed lettering, they still very common throughout the network.
Metro 2661 making good time as the train passes the two and a half kilometre marker on the outskirts of Kraaifontein. 35-038 is still sporting a Spoornet blue livery, a colour scheme that was becoming increasingly rare at this time.
The modern distance marker is a rather simple item, usually consisting of an old sleeper buried in a vertical position. Distances are painted on with the triangle indicating half a kilometre. Older distance markers were cast in concrete with recessed lettering, they still very common throughout the network.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
----- End -----
 |
| From left to right → Luca Lategan, Ken Campbell, Matt Raubenheimer, Amanda Nieuwoudt, Jeremy Hutton, Brett Radloff and Wayne Nauschutz. |
Saturday, 1 March 2014
This day started rather early, at 4am to be exact. Leaving my vehicle at Malmesbury I took the train to Cape Town where myself and friends from FoAR met up to take the journey back to Malmesbury. Followed by lunch we then returned to Cape Town by car. FoAR has done this trip multiple time since, but a larger attendance requires contracting a bus service for the return trip.
On arrival at Malmesbury, the crew shunted the coaches into the yard and then proceeded to couple up 35-029 for the return to Bellville. 029 had failed earlier that week and needed to be towed back to Bellville for repairs. Incidentally, the locomotive failed again a week later this time in Moorreesburg.
On arrival at Malmesbury, the crew shunted the coaches into the yard and then proceeded to couple up 35-029 for the return to Bellville. 029 had failed earlier that week and needed to be towed back to Bellville for repairs. Incidentally, the locomotive failed again a week later this time in Moorreesburg.
Locomotive Numbers: 35-046, 35-019 and 35-029.
 |
| ISO 100, 4/5sec, f3.5 at 8mm (FujiFilm) |
 |
| ISO 100, 1/500sec, f5 at 44mm (FujiFilm) |
 |
| ISO 100, 1/500sec, f5 at 12mm (Fujifilm) |
 |
| ISO 100, 1/500sec, f5 at 10mm (FujiFilm) |
 |
| ISO 100, 1/500sec, f5 at 14mm (FujiFilm) |
----- End -----
No comments:
Post a Comment