Day Two - On Friday, 2nd of June the Ceres Rail Company operated a special excursion train from Cape Town to Robertson providing a historical mode of transport to one of South Africa's most popular wine festivals.
With scheduled stops at many of the region's top wineries passenger could simply hop on and off without the need to negotiate the traffic, find parking or even worry about drinking and driving. All while enjoying the pleasant and unmatched experience that travelling by steam train can provide. The train operated between Worcester and Ashton for the duration of the festival. Returning to Cape Town on Sunday, 4th of June.
The Wacky Wine has been an annual wine festival held in Robertson and surrounds for the last 14 years. Event-goers can purchase a 'passport' at their first port of call which allows them access to any other participating winery during the festival.
For Bookings or enquiries http://www.ceresrail.co.za/
Further reading - South African Class 19D.
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| ISO 200, 30sec, f8 at 36mm |
Saturday morning started rather early with myself and Mark Berry leaving Worcester at 6am.
We arrived in Robertson at 6:30 and luckily for us someone had unlocked the station, sparing us the effort of walking around. With sunrise fast approaching we quickly set up for a few long exposures while the crew prepared the locomotive for the days' graft.
We arrived in Robertson at 6:30 and luckily for us someone had unlocked the station, sparing us the effort of walking around. With sunrise fast approaching we quickly set up for a few long exposures while the crew prepared the locomotive for the days' graft.
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| ISO 200, 10sec, f8 at 25mm |
The beautiful early morning sky didn't last with the sun now starting to appear from behind the Langeberg mountains. An oil can has now appeared on the scene, a telltale sign that servicing has now commenced.
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| ISO 200, 1sec, f8 at 55mm |
Very much prefer this locomotives rustic appearance.
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| ISO 200, 1/125sec, f8 at 44mm |
The train assembled after a quick shunt to couple the dining and bar coach together. The bar staff were having to walk the length of the train to attend to passengers during the run from Cape Town the previous day.
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| ISO 200, 1/400sec, f8 at 36mm |
Passing under the road bridge near the Gospel Express at Vink river.
There happened to be some sort of cycle race underway with participants using the rail servitude to cross under the R60. Fact, so many I was convinced they were going to ruin the photograph. Fortunately, they thinned out just as the train approached. Catching only one unsuspecting cyclist off guard as they thundered by.
There happened to be some sort of cycle race underway with participants using the rail servitude to cross under the R60. Fact, so many I was convinced they were going to ruin the photograph. Fortunately, they thinned out just as the train approached. Catching only one unsuspecting cyclist off guard as they thundered by.
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| ISO 200, 1/200sec, f14 at 44mm |
No.3322 simmers away while the passengers disembark to enjoy the first stop of the day at Rooibery Winery.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 55mm |
Moments after departing Rooiberg, Dominique is getting into its stride while passing the level crossing near the roadside halt. We did wait for well over an hour though.
I often visit this location when photographing diesels on this line.
I often visit this location when photographing diesels on this line.
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f10 at 75mm |
Taking photos from the R60 would have been super convenient if it wasn't for the fact that we were almost facing directly into the sun ...
My only hope was to scale the fence (step ladders prove useful at times like this) and get onto the inside of the curve where I could use the side light. The embankment on the other side dropped away rather steeply meaning I wasn't able to get a wider angle that I was hoping for.
My only hope was to scale the fence (step ladders prove useful at times like this) and get onto the inside of the curve where I could use the side light. The embankment on the other side dropped away rather steeply meaning I wasn't able to get a wider angle that I was hoping for.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 55mm |
A good suggestion by Mark took us to Nuy Winery parking lot where we enjoyed a bird's eye view of Nuy station and surroundings.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 55mm |
A good suggestion by Mark took us to Nuy Winery parking lot where we enjoyed a bird's eye view of Nuy station and surroundings.
A good suggestion by Mark took us to Nuy Winery parking lot where we enjoyed a bird's eye view of Nuy station and surroundings.
After a quick 'pie run' to the local Spar, we once again intercepted CRC in Transnet's North yard in Worcester. The locomotive was serviced and watered in the 'loko' while the coaches went to the yard behind a 35 Class diesel. Where passengers were briefly allowed to disembark to stretch their legs. Here, we see no.3322 coupled and getting the load in motion for the run down to Ashton.
Coasting along on the descent from Mowers. That also happens to be the highest elevation on this branch line. I took no photographs between Worcester and Mowers, filmed some video instead that should appear here shortly.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 55mm |
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 200mm |
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 105mm |
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f10 at 75mm |
Another location that required some quick negotiation with a particularly tall barbed wire fence. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to climb down the embankment and over the second fence to improve the angle.
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f10 at 80mm |
No stopping at Rooiberg on the return leg. By mid-afternoon, the wind was starting to pick up and a very annoying haze put an end to any sort of landscape photo.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 18mm |
Arriving in Robertson where passengers would spend an hour at Robertson Winery, a cellar that is literally next door to the station. The train stopped at the level crossing allowing easier access and sparring everybody from walking through a minefield of thorns. The train then waited in the station until departure time, reversing back to the level crossing to do the pickup.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 55mm |
Train manager Jeremy Hutton and coach controller Sven Geiger giving a friendly, non-vulgar salute ... for once. Breaking club tradition or should I say rule?
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| ISO 200, 1/320sec, f11 at 27mm |
Arriving in Robertson where passengers would spend an hour at Robertson Winery, a cellar that is literally next door to the station. The train stopped at the level crossing allowing easier access and sparring everybody from walking through a minefield of thorns. The train then waited in the station until departure time, reversing back to the level crossing to do the pickup.
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| ISO 200, 1/800sec, f9 at 27mm |
Klaasvoogds... Some say, this station is haunted, but whatever the tall story might be it is surprisingly well-kept and admittedly oddly decorated. In this case, the photo doesn't do the decor any justice but is well worth a stop if you happen to be chasing.
The station lends itself to morning shots with Southbound traffic and afternoon shots with Northbound trains.
The station lends itself to morning shots with Southbound traffic and afternoon shots with Northbound trains.
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| ISO 200, 1/125sec, f10 at 34mm |
The business end of a South African Class 19D. Commonly known as a Dollie.
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| ISO 200, 1/200sec, f10 at 33mm |
The business end of a South African Class 19D. Commonly known as a Dollie.
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| ISO 200, 1/400sec, f10 at 25mm |
Derick Norton, another soon to be fireman poses for a photograph during the stop at Arabella Winery.
Also, we received a special request to retrieve four coins that had been placed on the track by a passenger. The results were certainly interesting.
Also, we received a special request to retrieve four coins that had been placed on the track by a passenger. The results were certainly interesting.
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| ISO 200, 1/320sec, f10 at 300mm |
Ashton initially named Roodewal after the farm on which it was established, Ashton saw the arrival of the Cape Central Railway Company (CCR) in 1887 and was renamed some ten years later after Job Ashton, a CCR engineer. The town gained municipal status in 1956.
Equipped with a decent size yard and goods facility its easy to imagine how busy this station must have been in its heyday.
Equipped with a decent size yard and goods facility its easy to imagine how busy this station must have been in its heyday.
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| ISO 200, 1/320sec, f10 at 150mm |
Ashton, Second time a steam locomotive had been turned on the wye in as many days. I believe the last time was some 14 years ago, but I'm open to correction. I was unable to capture the historic moment the previous day.
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| ISO 200, 1/320sec, f10 at 170mm |
Driver Cassie Carstens and Fireman Jeandre Briedenhann having a good chuckle at some local talent that clearly had one too many...
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| ISO 200, 1/250sec, f10 at 80mm |
With shunting now complete the crew enjoy some conversation while waiting to commence on the next leg of the journey.
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| ISO 200, 1/250sec, f10 at 120mm |
With shunting now complete the crew enjoy some conversation while waiting to commence on the next leg of the journey.
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| ISO 400, 1/500sec, f5.6 at 75mm |
The train departed Ashton some 15 minutes earlier than expected leaving no time to set up a departure shot.
With Mark on the train I raced ahead to the level crossing near Arabelle and set up the camera gear in record time, but then nothing turned up ... With the wind howling like crazy and visibility getting worse by the minute I thought maybe I had misjudged the distance and they had already passed. A phone call to one of the crew members confirmed that they were held up at Zandvliet.
Eventually, they did turn up, nearly an hour later, by which time the Langeberg Mountains had completely disappeared in the haze and the wind made use of a tripod impossible unless you stood on it.
With Mark on the train I raced ahead to the level crossing near Arabelle and set up the camera gear in record time, but then nothing turned up ... With the wind howling like crazy and visibility getting worse by the minute I thought maybe I had misjudged the distance and they had already passed. A phone call to one of the crew members confirmed that they were held up at Zandvliet.
Eventually, they did turn up, nearly an hour later, by which time the Langeberg Mountains had completely disappeared in the haze and the wind made use of a tripod impossible unless you stood on it.
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| ISO 400, 1/500sec, f5.6 at 75mm |
Mark Berry enjoying a short ride to Robertson during the final run of the day.
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| ISO 200, 30sec, f8 at 32mm |
Another day, another dollar. Once again Dominique stands idle in Robertson station, cooling down after a long day of hurry up and wait. The day ended with a most enjoyable braai at the Nursery.
-----End -----
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