Day Three - 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.
Sunday, 04 June 2017
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| ISO 400, 1/400sec, f8 at 100mm |
Making light work of Mowers bank during the return trip to Cape Town. Unfortunately the poor weather ruined many of this weekends photographs.
Approximately a 500 meter walk from the R60 this location is one of the few that will produce a front lit photograph on Worcester bound traffic during the morning. Getting here entailed climbing over and through two barbed wire fences and navigating some rather dense vegetation. Luckily snakes aren't very active this time of year.
Aspect ratio changed to 3:1,5.
Approximately a 500 meter walk from the R60 this location is one of the few that will produce a front lit photograph on Worcester bound traffic during the morning. Getting here entailed climbing over and through two barbed wire fences and navigating some rather dense vegetation. Luckily snakes aren't very active this time of year.
Aspect ratio changed to 3:1,5.
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| ISO 400, 1/400sec, f8 at 100mm |
Making light work of Mowers bank during the return trip to Cape Town. Unfortunately the poor weather ruined many of this weekends photographs.
Approximately a 500 meter walk from the R60 this location is one of the few that will produce a front lit photograph on Worcester bound traffic during the morning. Getting here entailed climbing over and through two barbed wire fences and navigating some rather dense vegetation. Luckily snakes aren't very active this time of year.
Approximately a 500 meter walk from the R60 this location is one of the few that will produce a front lit photograph on Worcester bound traffic during the morning. Getting here entailed climbing over and through two barbed wire fences and navigating some rather dense vegetation. Luckily snakes aren't very active this time of year.
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| Add caption |
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f10 at 80mm |
Taken at the level crossing just before Botha. This location had fantastic light until five seconds before the train turned up. Fact, the train was already there! I was just waiting for it to move into my frame. Can scream at times like this.
I captured the blood boiling moment on video as well so keep an eye out for the clip.
I captured the blood boiling moment on video as well so keep an eye out for the clip.
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| ISO 200, 1/800sec, f10 at 255mm |
However, little did I know that another nasty surprise awaited me...
The idea was to capture the train and station signage with more of a side on view. I took the above photograph as a test and then discovered the memory card was full! Need I say more?
The idea was to capture the train and station signage with more of a side on view. I took the above photograph as a test and then discovered the memory card was full! Need I say more?
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f11 at 55mm |
About to enter the branch line for the short journey through Mitchell's pass up to De Meter. The train is holding short while the crew clear some pesky obstruction from the points. Others have walked ahead to help close the level crossing. Better safe than sorry.
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f11 at 55mm |
About to enter the branch line for the short journey through Mitchell's pass up to De Meter. The train is holding short while the crew clear some pesky obstruction from the points. Others have walked ahead to help close the level crossing. Better safe than sorry.
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f11 at 46mm |
About to enter the branch line for the short journey through Mitchell's pass up to De Meter. The train is holding short while the crew clear some pesky obstruction from the points. Others have walked ahead to help close the level crossing. Better safe than sorry.
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f11 at 55mm |
Friendly wave from Jeandre as they roll on by.
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| ISO 200, 1/320sec, f11 at 55mm |
A true gentleman and life long railwayman. Oom Sybrandt packs a lifetime of experience as well as scores of interesting and humorous stories from his days on the SAR.
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| ISO 200, 1/500sec, f11 at 55mm |
Off duty, Jeremy Hutton is in his element, soaking up the atmosphere that is steam.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f11 at 55mm |
This must be one of the most known and accessible photographic spots in Mitchell's Pass. Only a five minute walk from the level crossing enthusiasts have actually established a path through the vegetation.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f11 at 32mm |
Yes yes, I'll include the sky next time. This must be one of the most known and accessible photographic spots in Mitchell's Pass. Only a five minute walk from the level crossing enthusiasts have actually established a path through the vegetation.
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| ISO 200, 1/640sec, f11 at 55mm |
Thumbs up! Chris Munnik and Sven Geiger spot me in the bushes. This must be one of the most known and accessible photographic spots in Mitchell's Pass. Only a five minute walk from the level crossing enthusiasts have actually established a path through the vegetation
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| ISO 200, 1/125sec, f13 at 27mm |
Ceres Rail Company, grand central at De Meter station inside the Ceres golf estate. A rare opportunity to have all three locomotives in one photograph, although only one is in steam.
Aspect ratio changed to 3:1,2.
Aspect ratio changed to 3:1,2.
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| ISO 200, 1/125sec, f13 at 37mm |
What are sisters for if you can't borrow an item of clothing or some heavy furnace oil on occasion ... No.3322 having its tender topped up with oil from sister locomotive no.3321.
Both these 19D's no longer have their original tenders. The type MX tender or also commonly known as the Vanderbilt tender were only fitted to NBL no. 3321 - 3370. During major overhauls and rebuilds the South African Railways (SAR) seldom if ever out-shopped a locomotive with its original tender. Tenders were often completed long before the locomotives and were then paired up with next available engine. The remainder of the class, some 218 locomotives were equipped with the type MR or MP1 box tender. The MX tender's larger water and coal capacity meant that they were preferred by crews and many survived until the class was withdrawn.
Both these 19D's no longer have their original tenders. The type MX tender or also commonly known as the Vanderbilt tender were only fitted to NBL no. 3321 - 3370. During major overhauls and rebuilds the South African Railways (SAR) seldom if ever out-shopped a locomotive with its original tender. Tenders were often completed long before the locomotives and were then paired up with next available engine. The remainder of the class, some 218 locomotives were equipped with the type MR or MP1 box tender. The MX tender's larger water and coal capacity meant that they were preferred by crews and many survived until the class was withdrawn.
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| ISO 200, 1/400sec, f8 at 53mm |
Fluit fluit my storie is uit.
Returning down Mitchell's Pass tender first no.3322 has now uncoupled and is being turned on the wye at Wolseley for the return trip to Cape Town. Jeandre and Nico are on the footplate while Jeremy stands ready at the points and Stefan in position to do the coupling.
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