Get on a steam train to Magalies

FOR more than 30 years, enthusiasts around the world have been quietly and insistently keeping the Age of Steam alive.

Men and women take great pains (and spend huge amounts of money) to build replicas of famous engines and many clubs exist so people can build scale models and run miniature train sets, even at home.

Locomotion is a mechanical wonder and has had many people fascinated since the first steam locomotive was designed by Richard Trevithick in 1804, more than 200 years ago.

When steam locomotives were systematically decommissioned by the South African Railways in the 1980s and ’90s, preservation groups sprung up all over the country. One of these is Reefsteamers Association, based at the old Germiston Steam Locomotive Depot in Knights. On a lease-lend basis from Transnet, Reefsteamers restores, maintains and runs a number of the SAR Historic rolling stock of locos and coaches.

Reefsteamers is a registered non-profit company and the members are all volunteers, men and women from 14 to 80 from all walks of life and even a few based overseas.

Many of them are “old Spories” who just want to see steam in action. There is also an agreement with African Academy in Boksburg regarding several of their mechanical engineering students towards practical use of the tools and machinery under guidance.

Reefsteamers’ income is predominantly from the sale of tickets on scheduled Saturday trips to Magaliesburg, and also to Irene, when possible. But sadly, the ravages of time and weather are taking their toll on the depot itself. Hail in recent years has smashed many window panes and rust has set in on the all-important roofing which protects the locomotives and coaches under cover.

Consequently, a major membership and fund-raising drive has been initiated. There are 10 ways in which the public can contribute towards keeping the age of steam alive on the East Rand.

You can book a spot at the annual winter photo shoot on July 23 before dawn for the best photogenic steam photos. Contact photo@reefsteamers.com or call Ian Morison on 082-903-9463.

You can also attend the Reefsteamers annual coal and steam festival on July 30. Book a ticket on a steam train from Rhodesfield Station, bound for the Germiston Depot. Learn all about locos and see them in action. There will be activities for children and much more. See www.reefsteamers.com for more information.

You can further donate towards loco repairs. Since 1991, Reefsteamers has continued to repair and maintain a succession of SAR locomotives. Currently the focus is on Class 12AR #1535, Class 15CA #2056 and Class 15F #3046 (the famous Janine), that will be undergoing routine steam tests mid-2016.

Passenger coaches also need routine servicing.

Donate towards depot repairs: the oldest building dates back to 1895. The main workshop was built during World War 2 by Italian prisoners of war and the rail infrastructure is decades old.

Loco storage shed roof repairs are required and over 300 hail shattered window panes need replacing. Materials and labour of all kinds is called for to fix up the many buildings over a large area.

Buy a ticket or two: experience a real steam train trip in Gauteng with all the sights and sounds of a bygone era. The train schedule is available on www.reefsteamers.com. Call 063-743-9200 or email to bookings@reefsteamers.com

You can also charter a whole train. Email enquiries to bookings@reefsteamers.com

You can also name a loco for five years. Machines are usually named after women, remember. Just think of the publicity over time. Email enquiries to engineering@reefsteamers.com

Claire Nelson-Esch can also be contacted on 082-894-8877 for any other information you might need.