JOHN GILBERTHORPE'S DIARY WORKING ON
THE UMLAAS ROAD-MID ILLOVO RAILWAY
FROM 6 MARCH TO 23 APRIL 1976
John kept a detailed record of each day of his 31 years as a SAR footplateman, including times on and off duty, fireman, train and loco numbers, tonnages, particulars of each trip and the long hours worked.
Saturday 6 March
Relieving as driver on Umlaas Road to Mid Illovo Narrow gauge, [Garratts] [Nos.] 58, 60, 77.
Always haul wayside van and coach. Due away 05:30 ex Umlaas, 09:30 ex Mid Illovo, 12:40 at Umlaas Road.
[No.] 77 learning road with driver Richard J Sneddon from Masons Mill and fireman Nick J Van Staden. Steaming well. Richard firing. Drove Milford to Eston.
79t for 36 axles, 66t for 30 [axles] to Ntimbankulu, 18t for 8 [axles] to Mid Illovo. Home 18t for 8 [axles] to Ntimbankulu (Nick choked fire and had to clean it).
122t for 40 [axles] to Eston, 167t for 52 [axles] to Umlaas Road. (8 bogies wood, 3 bark, coach, and van). Nick blew up a couple of times.
9 hrs 40 min, 38 hrs 35 min over[time], 19·40 Sunday.
Monday 8 March
[No.] 60 failed due to the regulator (…) box blowing badly.
[No.] 77 lit up and took out. I drove Water Tank – Mid Illovo and back. 95t for 52 axles, mainly empties to Eston and 39t for 20 [axles] from there back.
93t for 28 [axles] (5 wood, coach, van) to Eston, the bogie of pigs 103t for 32 extra. Steaming excellently and getting the hang of her nicely. Much slipping due to drizzle and mist all the way. Off 17:30.
13 hrs 30 min. 52·05 over[time], 19·40 Sunday.
Tuesday 9 March
[No.] 77 excellent steamer, reasonable on water. Drove complete return trip.
Heavy load of fertiliser causing slipping up Tala Bank and up to Eston on curves – checked by regulator and sand. Medium load home. Grand bark truck off at Milford today.
11hrs 30 min, 63 hrs 35 min over[time], 19·40 Sunday.
Wednesday 10 March
[No.] 77 drove round trip – excellent steamer. 121t for 40 [axles] to Eston. 89t for 44 [axles] to Ntimbankulu. 33t for 12 [axles] to Mid Illovo. 18t for 8 [axles] to Ntimbankulu. 63t for 20 [axles] to Eston. 116t for 36 [axles] to Umlaas Road. Keeping and gaining time nicely with these trains on section times.
11hrs 35 min, 75 hrs 10 min over[time], 19 hrs 40 min Sunday.
Thursday 11 March
[No.77] drove water tank-Mid Illovo and all way back. 120t for 20 [axles] to Mid Illovo. 63t for 20 [axles] to Eston. 198t for 56 [axles] to Umlaas Road. 40 to 45% cut-off, ¾ regulator, long hard slog.
This engine has a lovely beat. Typically, Garratt, 50 sometimes together, and sometimes apart and sometimes like a (…). Richard Sneddon fired expertly uphill to Umlaas Road. Stopped at Ripley to collect Ntimbankulu post bag. All halts out and home except lake (mooi maid) and Ripley. Last 7 minutes Edinglassie-Umlaas Road a heavy drag but a glorious beat.
11 hrs 5 min. 86·15 over 19·40 Sunday.
Friday 12 March
Loco inspector did not come. Drove throughout. Long load going out, including fertiliser for Eston and Mid Illovo. Lovely beat. Can work her 35%-40%-50% cut-off and ¾ regulator, and she hauls full load
on heavy 1 in 40 and 1 in 50 banks. Heavy load home. 6 timber, coach and van ex Mid Illovo. (Slightly priming near here) 9 timber ex Ntimbankulu. Nick fired excellently up Ripley Bank. Full load 12 bogies ex Eston. Driver in van. Gained 3 minutes [Tala] Water Tank to Umlaas Road with Nick firing excellently.
11 hrs 30 min, 11 hrs 30 min, 97·45 over[time], 19·40 Sunday.
Saturday 13 March
Loco inspector did not come.
[No.] 77 drove Water Tank-Mid Illovo-Umlaas Road. Steaming excellently and reasonable on water. Firebox fills up quickly. 11 empties, one loaded, coach and truck to Eston. Slipping up Tala Bank slightly. 3 empties, one loaded, coach and truck to Ntimbankulu, 2 only to Mid Illovo. 3 wood, truck and coach ex Mid Illovo. 6 wood ex Ntimbankulu. Full load ex Eston, Priming slightly leaving Tala and water tank. Driver fired to Eston, Nick to Umlaas Road. Grand beat uphill, but one truck brake piston sticking up at Edinglassie and rectified by through pipe. Long hard pull to Umlaas Road.
11 hrs 30 min, 109·15 over[time], 19·40 Sunday.
Monday 15 March
Loco inspector did not turn up. [No.] 60 I drove round trip. 124t for 52 [axles] to Eston and quite a heavy load onwards to Ntimbankulu (stop Ripley) and Mid Illovo. 3 wood ex Mid Illovo and 2 more ex Ntimbankulu. 11 bogies 183t for 52 [axles] ex Eston. Engine steaming well but not so freely as 77.
Her regulator is awkward with an extension, but cab nice and clean. 40% ¾ regulator up Edinglassie Bank and gained time all day.
11 hrs, 120 hrs 15min over[time], 19·40 Sunday.
Tuesday 16 March
[No.] 60 Loco Inspector Nortje passed me out to Mid Illovo and rode the van on the way home.
Gave me the papers at Mid Illovo. Heavy load to Eston and slipped to a stand leaving Umlaas Road on sharp curve leaving water tank and on Tala Bank horseshoe plus others giving me a hard trip.
Front engine has hollow wheels and slips for nothing. Sand wet and not working. Full load ex Eston. Richard fired. Rails now dry and no slipping. Excellent steaming. 2nd trip DRIVING BY MYSELF - Richard Sneddon went home. SB order to Eston. Mainly empties and van but long load. Full load of wood home. Slipped to stand on Edinglassie Bank horseshoe and several times on succeeding curves to Killarney Road. Guard and Nick packed ballast on track, but much delay resulted. Off 22:15.
18 hrs 15 min.
Wednesday 17 March
[No.] 60 slipping again on Tala Bank with long load, and Nick and guard helped with ballast. Full load home, and she slipped to a stand on horseshoe between Killarney Road and Umlaas Road. Set back and restarted. Back 15:00. I fired ex Mid Illovo to Eston with 6 bogies. Getting the hang of one hand firing and steaming well. A little heavy on water. 2nd trip to Eston. Longish load. I fired, and Nick drove. Slipped a little, but the rail now much drier. I held steam and water well on long Tala Bank. Back full load. I set back at column and rushed bank. Steaming not so free, but sandboxes cleared with dry sand and now not slipping. Off 22h00.
18h 45 min. 37 hrs.
Thursday 18 March
[No.] 60. Light load to Mid Illovo (3 empties, coach, and truck to Ntimbankulu). 35% and partial regulator. Fire not cleaned en route until reaching Mid Illovo. I fired. 5 bogies loaded to Eston, coach, and truck. I drove. 11 bogies home. Engine pulled and held her feet well. (40% & ¾ regulator) Off 15:30.
12 hrs 15 min. 49 hrs 15 min.
Friday 19 March
[No.] 60 – 15 bogies (empties) to Eston. Lighter load from there where I fired to Mid Illovo and back to Eston (Ripley). With a lot of care, I coaxed her up Tala Bank with no loss of time. A chapter of incidents today. Gauge glass burst in the morning, and pouring rain made preparation an ordeal. Poured with rain all day. Left injector spindle thread stripped about 2 km south on Ripley Bank with me firing. What a battle. Boiler overfull and blowing off at Ripley. (3 wood, coach, and truck) and with steam roaring from overflow pipe when water off. Worked all right – but managed to restart left injector. (I drove to Eston). Fixed at Eston (blanked off). 1-hour delay docket. Washers and detonator tin lid did the trick. Home right injector. 8 bogies wood, coach and truck. Hard going but kept her feet on the bank.
13 hrs, 62 hrs 15 min.
Saturday 20 March
[No.] 60 – light load out, and I fired to Eston – Mid Illovo and back to Eston. Engine and van ex Eston and 3 bogies wood home and 5 others at Eston. Steaming deteriorating slightly now and slipping badly.
11 hrs 30 min. 73 hrs 45 min.
Sunday 21 March
3 hours washout lubrication on No.77. Also drained [No.] 58's pony bogies and reconnected blower.
73 hrs 45 min ord. 3 hrs Sunday.
Monday 22 March
Heavy rains caused washaways on track. [No.] 58 an exceptionally strong engine with old chimney and nice regulator. Steaming reputedly poor, but I fired Mid Illovo-Umlaas Road with six bogies wood ex Eston and even though left valve lubricator pipe broken on main steam pipe to back engine, steaming very good and reasonable on water. Exceptionally strong. Delayed at horseshoe cutting between Edinglassie and Killarney Road, which had caved in. Cleared by African [workers]. Caught a huge rock on the left of [the] cowcatcher in Edinglassie north cutting but managed to stop before any damage [was] done. Large landslip at Milford, causing further 3½ hour delay.
15 hrs 30 min. 89 hrs 15 min ord. 3 hrs Sunday.
Tuesday 23 March
[No.] 58 - steaming well and good on water. Lightish load to Eston and Ntimbankulu and coach and van to Eston. 4 bogies wood, coach and van ex Eston. Easy proposition despite broken lubricator pipe on main steam pipe back engine (blocking with wood does not last long). Excellent on her feet. Does not slip and is very strong. Went in pit at Umlaas Road and fixed new lubricator pipe to the main steam pipe.
11 hrs. 100 hrs 15 min, 3 hrs Sunday.
Wednesday 24 March
[No.] 58 - steaming well. Light load. 3 loaded for Eston – 2 empties Ntimbankulu, coach and van. I fired Eston-Mid Illovo and back to Eston and water tank (6 bogies wood). 11 bogies ex Eston. I drove ex [Tala] Tank to Umlaas Road. 35% to 40% cut-off and occasionally 50% and only about ⅓ open regulator. A beautiful, strong engine. Long wait at Ntimbankulu on the way home while track sag rectified. Took track off ballast to spot to raise track. Expansion gland on main steam pipe rear 'T' piece joint for back cylinders blowing badly. Fixed trimming in trailing box, back engine running warm at Eston.
115 hrs 15 min. 3 hrs Sun. 15 hours.
Thursday 25 March
[No.] 58 - steaming getting more difficult as she seems to drop back rather quickly against injector.
11 bogies home (wood), coach and van. I fired Eston-Mid Illovo-Eston. Only lightish load on this section. And a little unwilling to steam, although no difficulty. Exceptionally strong and only 40% and partial regulator required on Edinglassie Bank. I had flu today and felt very weak.
11 hrs 30 min. 126 hrs 45 min, 3 hrs 15 min.
Friday 26 March
[No.] 58 - Nick almost threw out fire at water column, and I got [a] delay docket for 25 mins. (put it down to drop grates out of socket). Battle for water up Tala Bank near top, but she plays with her load. 2 loaded, 3 empties, coach and van to Mid Illovo. I fired ex Eston. Steaming excellent. 3 bogies wood, 1 bark (ex Milford) coach and van. She played and steamed superbly, blowing off twice on Ripley Bank. Me firing to Eston (I fire lighter than Nick). 10 bogies, coach and van ex Eston. Plenty steam and water all [the] way and I drove her between 34% and 40% up Edinglassie Bank. Good day. Just south of Eston on the way out, back engine driving keep plate fell off and ran over it, buckling it badly. Keep [plate] fell down, much clanking. Packed with wood but decided to light up [No.] 77 next.
11 hrs 45 min, 138 hrs 30 min, + 3 hrs Sunday.
Saturday 27 March
[No.] 77 - steaming excellently but a trifle heavy on water, especially after priming near Ripley. Grates really stuck open this time at water tank after a struggle with short pricker managed to close them. Happened to a lesser extent at Eston. You must not let them fall but ease them down. 30 mins delay docket. Lubricator pipe broke off on the left front cylinder and plugged with chisel causing inconvenience. Gained time up Tala Bank. I fired Water Tank to Mid Illovo. On the way back had 12-cattle trucks, 6 bogies wood. Picked up 5 cattle trucks at Ripley, and load looked impressive to Eston. Nick and engine worked hard! 12 bogies wood and 198 tons to Umlaas Road, 40-55% cut-off and wider regulator opening than [No.] 58.
13 hrs 151 hrs 30 min and 3 hrs Sunday.
Sunday 28 March
[No.] 77 - ballast (material) train to Mid Illovo and van. Picked up 1 bogie at Edinglassie and another 4 at Tala. Engine played with load. I drove nearly all day. Landslip in horseshoe cutting above Edinglassie delayed us 1¼ hours. Did long cutting near Mid Illovo then there and back non-stop to Eston and [Tala] water tank (took water) and horseshoe cutting with clay loaded in trucks. Gang cleared that cutting too.
15 hrs 20 min. (151 hrs 30 min ord. 18 hrs 20 min Sunday).
Monday 29 March
[No.] 77 – 14 empties, coach, and van to Eston. I fired up Tala Bank, and she steamed excellently, although a little heavy on water. Fired on to Mid Illovo with lighter load and drove home. 3 wood ex Mid Illovo and 3 ex Ntimbankulu. 7 bogies cows ex Eston making 13, coach and van. Handled on 40% to 50% cut-off. Heavy on water at this but steaming well and beat lovely. Repaired front engine left cylinder lubricator pipe.
12 hrs 5 mins. 163 hrs 35 min, 18hrs 20 min Sunday.
Tuesday 30 March
[No.] 77 – 13 empties, but 6 put off at Tala. Rest at Mid Illovo and Ntimbankulu and a few at Eston. Coal poor (blue gas). Engine steaming but heavyish on water. 11 bogies home (I fired ex Mid Illovo 4 bogies wood, coach, and van) to Eston. 11 bogies wood home. Wanted to prime between [Tala] water tank and Edinglassie, 40% to 50% cut-off. Last a bit of time up bank but good run.
11 hrs 30 min. 18 hrs 20 min Sunday.
Wednesday 31 March
[No.] 77 – Pulling well with reasonably heavy load. I fired up Tala Bank and steaming excellently with plenty water. Shunt Eston and stop Milford. Fired back to Eston. 11 bogies wood ex Eston, coach, and van.
12 hrs 30 min. 187 hrs 35 min ord. 18 hrs 20 min Sunday.
Thursday 1 April
[No.] 77 – I fired ex [Tala] water tank up Tala Bank. 4 loaded and 4 empties, coach and van. Steaming well after prolonged stop at Tala [water tank] to fill boiler well. No trouble for water or steam and steaming against injector. Nick drove well. Fired on to Mid Illovo, reasonable light load (11 cattle, coach and van) and steaming excellently. 3 bogies wood ex Mid Illovo, 6 more ex Eston. I fired all [the] way home. Excellent steaming against injector from water tank despite 'blue gas' poorish quality coal. Over the last few days, rain caused much slipping and only just kept going. Bank took a long time with me shovelling gravel on rails.
11 hrs 15 min. 198 hrs 50 min, 18 hrs 20 min Sunday.
Friday 2 April
[No.] 77 – Raining heavily. 2 loaded, 8 empties, coach, and van. Slipping up Tala Bank but not too bad and lighter load to Ntimbankulu. (3 off) although slipping up Ntimbankulu Bank badly despite reduced load. 5 wood, coach, and van (3 ex Mid Illovo, 2 ex Ntimbankulu) to Eston and running well, tendency to prime ex Buller's farm. 10 bogies wood and bark, van and coach ex Eston. Nick drove from here and I fired. Steaming excellently against injector although much slipping and hard work firing (I had to ballast line again).
13 hrs, 211 hrs 50 min, 18 hrs 20 min Sun. = 3 hrs 50 min over[time].
Saturday 3 April
[No.] 77 – I drove to Eston and fired Eston-Mid Illovo-Eston. Steaming excellently, although loads were light. 9 bogies of wood home, coach and van.
11 hrs 15 min. 15 hrs 05 min over[time], 18 hrs 20 min Sunday.
Sunday 4 April
[No.] 60 – Washout lubrication 3 hrs 15 hrs 05 min over[time], 21 hrs 20 min Sunday.
Monday 5 April
[No.] 60 – Cancelled due to Nick's wife going to hospital and no other fireman available. I threw out the fire and replaced right gauge glass.
3 hrs 30 mins, paid 6 hrs. 21 hrs 05 min over[time], 21 hrs 20 min Sunday.
Tuesday 6 April
[No.] 60 – Loco inspector Nortje came and rode on engine only from Eston to Mid Illovo and Eston to [Tala] water tank. I drove all day, steaming excellently despite slippery start from Umlaas Road. (14 empties, coach, and van to Eston). 8 empties from there. All stations both ways with plenty of passengers. She behaved beautifully up Tala Bank and no slipping. Only four wood, coach and van on return. Slackened half-moon bracket-bolts on both reversing shafts to ease reverser. Tightened back engine left-back bye-pass valve cover and also regulator gland.
11 hrs 25 min. 32 hrs 30 min over[time], 21 hrs 05 min Sunday.
Wednesday 7 April
[No.] 60 – reasonable load out to Eston and on to Mid Illovo. Always plenty of fertiliser for Eston. I fired all day today, and Nick drove. Did NOT clean fire at Mid Illovo as still good but did not anticipate 8 bogies wood ex Mid Illovo! 1 bark ex Milford and 3 wood ex Ntimbankulu! Making for the first time a FULL load from here. First time that has happened. I had premonitions of blowing up at Ripley, but she steamed well and ran excellently against injector but required much thought and planning to prevent an already quite full firebox by Buller's Farm becoming quite impossible by Eston. That will teach me to clean [the] fire at Mid Illovo! Slipped to a stand on a bad curve and bend south of Eston Station and Nick's restarting attempts upset half a churn of milk in [the] van. I only managed to restart after 2 further runs at the bank (me at the regulator) and Nick putting gravel on the curve. Steam down to 100 psi at the top as Nick had shovel for gravel, but we made it. He drove the remainder of the way and excellent steaming with full boiler to Umlaas Road up Edinglassie Bank. Yes, I can fire a full load too! Time was slightly gained uphill.
12 hrs 5 min. 44 hrs 35 min over[time]. 21 hrs 05 min over[time].
Did quite a few awkward trimmings in coupled boxes today.
Thursday 8 April
[No.] 60 – I drove to Mid Illovo and back from Eston to Umlaas Road. Nick drove Mid Illovo-Eston. Medium/heavy load on way out caused slipping slightly on 1st bank and Tala Bank but almost on time in Eston. Nick didn't clean fire at column. Steaming excellent again and not slipping quite so badly as previously. 11 bogies ex Eston caused no problems, and she made a grand run up Edinglassie bank gaining time.
11hrs 30 min. 56 hrs 05 min over[time], 21 hrs 05 min Sunday.
Friday 9 April
[No.] 60 – I drove every section except Eston-Umlaas Road when I fired. Drums and fertiliser for Eston and 2 loaded for Mid Illovo. Held her feet beautifully, and Nick on cleaned the fire at Mid Illovo, and I fired back. (I cleaned the fire on homeward run at Eston for him) Fast run and early into Eston (with Aubrey clapping his hands!) Pulled up time all way. 6 bogies wood to Eston. 10 bogies to Umlaas Road, which I fired up bank. Steaming excellently again.
11 hrs 30 min. 67 hrs 35 min over[time]. 21 hrs 05 min Sunday.
Saturday 10 April
[No.] 60 – I prepared everything as Nick late due to his wife having baby [the] night before. Left late but fast run downhill to [Tala] water tank. Parking awkward and didn't shunt before. Nick came and then delayed us still. Many white passengers. Denis Lewis's family of 3 kids and wife, Pete Barker, Don and Kevin. All rode footplate from Killarney Road onwards. A great day out. I fired water tank-Mid Illovo and back to Eston. Excellent steaming against injector. 9 bogies home, and I drove her beautifully fast up Edinglassie Bank in 35 minutes ex [Tala] Water Tank. Grand beat.
12 hrs, 79 hrs 35 min over[time], 21 hrs 05 min Sunday.
Sunday 11 April
[No.] 58 - Washout lubrication.
3 hrs, 79 hrs 35 min over[time], 24 hrs 05 min Sunday.
Monday 12 April
[No.] 58 – Fireman Andrew Barnard, a grand chap, relieving from Masons Mill. Steaming very well indeed, although a slight tendency to drop pressure against injector. Piston packings blowing badly and back main steam pipe expansion gland also plus some bye-pass cover joints and base joints. Walked up Tala Bank with 8 empties, coach and van on 30% and regulator just open. I fired Eston-Mid Illovo-Eston. 10 bogies home ex Eston (3 wood ex Mid Illovo). 35% most of the way and ½ regulator up Edinglassie Bank and regained time. Steam held excellently.
11 hrs 45 min, 24 hrs 05 min Sunday, 91 hrs 20 min over[time].
Tuesday 13 April
[No.] 58 – Fireman Andrew Barnard. He drove to Eston, and engine steaming very well indeed on Tala Bank and running well with light load of empties that she had to be restrained. I drove (engine, van and coach) to Mid Illovo and back to Eston with two bogies of wood. 5 bogies of wood and 4 flats (empty) picked up at Tala, and she steamed excellently uphill with fireman driving from Eston. A grand day. Took our time but almost on time all the way.
11 hrs 45 mins. 24 hrs 05 min Sunday. 103 hrs over[time].
Wednesday 14 April
[No.] 58 – Fireman Andrew Barnard. Light load and traffic really seem to have fallen off. On the way home, only had 5 bogies (4 wood and 1 bark). Steaming excellently and reasonable on water.
11 hrs 15 min, 24 hrs 05 min, Sunday. 114 hrs 20 min over[time].
Leeds enthusiast rode with us.
Thursday 15 April
[No.] 58 – Nick back and (…) my checker friend came with us. Up Tala Bank, Nick forgot to close the cooler after cleaning the fire at the column, and a battle for steam and water ensued after it had dropped to ⅓ glass and 150 lb psi uphill, but he held this all the way and were right on time at Eston. Our engine ran away with her light load and 30% cut-off, and regulator just open was all that was needed. I drove to Mid Illovo and Nick all the way back. Steaming excellent and good on water. Up Umlaas Bank on red mark all the way and no pricker with a very low fire. 6 bogies wood.
10 hrs 45 min. 24 hrs 05 min Sunday. 125 hrs 05 min over[time] for the month.
Friday 16 April
Good Friday train not running – 8 hrs pay.
Saturday 17 April
[No.] 58 – with H J van Wyk learning road. The beginning of the end for me. I drove all day today except Eston-Umlaas Road. 4 bogies wood for charcoal factory (proposed) at Eston, coach and van. Coach and van only to Mid Illovo and 6 bogies wood back to Eston handled with ease. Steaming not so free against injector now. I fired Eston-Umlaas Road (Nick driving) with 9 bogies (3 bark ex Eston). Steaming very well indeed but not so freely as previously against injector, despite white-hot fire.
10 hrs 45 mins, 18 hrs 45 mins.
Sunday 18 April
[No.] 77 – washout, lubrication although I did, in fact, work on No.58 and 60 as well from 10·00 to 17·00 with only 1 hour for lunch break as loco inspector visited previously and oil inspector due on Wednesday. Made many (…) trimmings. Had to issue my own oil as Indian not there.
18 hrs 45 min, 3 hrs Sunday.
Monday 19 April
[No.] 77 – Hendrik van Wyk drove all day, and Nick fired to Eston. Slipping badly with 167 tons (mealies and fertiliser) up Tala Bank (5 loaded, rest empties). I fired on to Mid Illovo. Excellent steamer despite drawing air at smokebox door although a little heavy on water. Handles very well as usual, although piston packings still blowing. Light load home. I fired up Edinglassie Bank with no difficulty – red mark all the way. Light firing.
11 hrs 15 min, 8 hrs holiday, 30 hrs, 3 hrs Sunday
Rode on front tank.
Tuesday 20 April
[No.] 77 – Hennie van Wyk driving all day. Light load after dropping 6 empties off at Killarney Road for sugar cane (only had coach, wayside van and 1 empty). Didn't clean the fire at column, and I fired all the way Killarney Road to Eston. Excellent steaming up bank. Home I fired Eston to Umlaas Road. 5 wood trucks (plus 2 [sugar] cane ex Killarney Road). Red mark all the time. My secret is to build up fire approaching water tank down Tala Bank then fire reasonably hot and no prolonged blowing required. 2 bogies [sugar] cane ex Killarney Road.
11 hrs 30 min. 41 hrs 30 min, 3 hrs Sunday, 8 hrs holiday.
Rode on front tank.
Wednesday 21 April
[No.] 77 – Hennie van Wyk driving all day. Oil inspector came and friendly, although I forgot to fill left front piston gland cup and had 4 feed trimming in there. Had to make a 6 feed. In our absence, the loco inspector, oil inspector and loco foreman from Masons Mill visited and were very pleased with what they saw, so my Sunday work must have paid off. Nick fired to Eston, medium load after dropping 4 trucks for [sugar]cane at Edinglassie. Fertiliser for Eston. I fired to Mid Illovo, and she performed excellently. Also fired Eston to Umlaas Road. 1 bark ex Milford. Ex Eston 6 bogies bark and 2 wood plus 2 bogies [sugar] cane ex Killarney Road. Blew off when regulator closed with injector on. A grand climb and a pleasant come back in traffic.
12 hrs 30 min. 54 hrs, 3 hrs Sunday, 8 hrs holiday.
Rode on front tank.
Thursday 22 April
[No.] 77 – Hennie van Wyk drove to Eston and me Eston-Mid Illovo-Eston. My last turn at the regulator on the road. Steaming excellently as usual. 3 fertiliser for Eston (2 empties for [sugar] cane to Killarney Road). 3 empties, coach and van to Mid Illovo. 3 bogies wood to Eston on return 6 bogies to Killarney Road plus 2 [sugar] cane from there. I gained time all the way, last driving job.
11 hrs 45 min. 65 hrs 45 min, 3 hrs Sunday, 8 hrs holiday.
Rode front of tank of engine.
Friday 23 April – MY LAST DAY ON THE NARROW GAUGE
[No.] 77 – Hennie van Wyk test trip. I rode in van all the time except for firing Mid Illovo-Eston (5 wood, coach and van). Water very low and box cold when left Mid Illovo and hard work and thinking required to raise water and firebox temperature. Red mark from Buller's Farm to Eston. Excellent steaming against injector. Steam came to red mark 3 times without firing while pulling up Ripley Bank. 8 bogies wood and bark ex Eston plus 4 [sugar] cane ex Killarney Road making a full load, and she barked very well.
12 hrs 15 mins, 78 hrs, 3 hrs Sunday, 8 hrs holiday.
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On Saturday, 24 April, John was back on duty at the Greyville shed driving from 08:00.
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Sadly, John is no longer with us; he passed away in 2018.
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FOOTNOTES
¹ There appears no record on file either at the Transnet Heritage Library in Johannesburg or at the RSSA's Natal branch headquarters in Durban of the proceedings or the preservation proposal presented to the SATS officials at this meeting.
² The Natal Newsletters alluded to discussions taking place behind closed doors between representatives of the Natal Narrow Gauge Preservation Group and unnamed parties (presumably farmers and SATS), but no details of these discussions were revealed.
³ For further reading, see part 27, THE NATAL NARROW GAUGE PRESERVATION GROUP.
REFERENCES:
Gilberthorpe, J, 'Memories of the Umlaas Road to Mid Illovo Line', SA Rail, Vol.25, No.4 July-August 1985, pp.92-94 & Vol.25 No.4 September-October 1985, pp.116-120)
MID-ILLOVO RAILWAY 'Natal Province, Descriptive Guide and Official Hand-Book', 1911 edition, p. 119, edited by A H Tatlow, manager, Publicity Department, South African Railways.
NATAL GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS, Proposed 2ft gauge Railway from Umlaas Road Station to Mid Illovo. Report by the Engineer-in-Chief dated 30 October 1902.
Natal Newsletters 1982-1990
Newsletter of the South African Railway & Photographic Society and Railway Society of Southern Africa, various issues 1961 - 1974
SA Rail, news reports, various issues 1974 - 2020.
The South African Railway Magazine
The Natal Witness