By car, train or bus … just get to the transport museum!
Most of the steam locomotives at the museum are kept safe and in a fenced area, go see for yourself.
AS the Easter holidays approach, The RECORD encourages you and your family to visit the James Hall Transport Museum to learn about how South Africa contributed to the history and development of transport.
The museum still has a running Rolls-Royce that was used by the Johannesburg mayor in 1951, and a fireproof asbestos suit that was used by firefighters in the 1950’s.
Firefighters back then did not have a siren so one firefighter would be tasked with ringing the bell all the way to the emergency scene, even though there was not that much traffic. Fire engines then didn’t carry water either. A pipe would be pulled to the nearest river and the firefighters would physically work the pump, aiming water at the burning building.
Most of the steam locomotives at the museum are from Europe and America and kept safely in a fenced-off area. Small parts of these locomotives often go missing and senior curator Phillimon Maeko suspects it could be because of their rarity.
“When America was advancing to fuel vehicles, they exported these steam locomotives to Africa. Today, there aren’t many left in America and they wish they could have these back! Even when America advanced to steam locomotives, they brought animal transport vehicles to Africa,” said Phillimon.
Most of the animal transport at the museum is still in mobile condition and some of the tools that were used by the blacksmiths (people who fixed animal transport) can still be seen. It was very interesting to learn that there were a lot of places, like garages, where blacksmiths repaired animal transport. So, while on route, travellers could stop and have their vehicles checked.
The RECORD invites you to visit the James Hall Transport Museum and send us a few photos and a short description of your experience. Email these to jamesm@caxton.co.za
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