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Dreadful news from South Africa.

Discussion in 'International Heritage Railways/Tramways' started by 45669, Sep 13, 2010.

  1. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    A large collection of South African steam locomotives is being vandalised by scrap metal thieves. Details are here, but, be warned, it makes pretty depressing reading :

    http://www.steam-in-action.com/imag...=VerticalResponse&utm_term=click herecampaign
     
    45669, Sep 13, 2010
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  2. andysleigh

    andysleigh Member

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    thats some serious stuff.
    Terrible to see.
     
    andysleigh, Sep 14, 2010
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  3. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    When you look at the loco list and some wonderful British built engines . What scope in the UK for a 3ft 6ins gauge railway with SAR motive power and stock ? and where is a Euromillions jackpot when you need it !
     
    Sidmouth, Sep 14, 2010
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  4. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Truely awful to see, but I'm afraid this seems to be symptomatic, so few people over there really care, and the few that do are fighting a difficult battle against apathy, and the just don't give a toss attitude.
     
    RalphW, Sep 14, 2010
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  5. arthur maunsell

    arthur maunsell Well-Known Member

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    a little perspective. To you and me they are wonderful old steam locos that should be marching up and down entertaining us. To the very many destitute and deprived locals they are simply a way to feed their families, abandoned rail equipment which noone seems to really want. I don't condone it but i try to understand it.
     
    arthur maunsell, Sep 14, 2010
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  6. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    Unfortunately very true and true most of the world over outside a few western countries.
     
    simon, Sep 14, 2010
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  7. Bernard

    Bernard New Member

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    If you want to help, please at least spend a few minutes and send your thoughts to the curator of the South African Steram and Railway Museum...
    lawrence.posniak@mtnloaded.co.za
    Cheers Bernard
     
    Bernard, Sep 24, 2010
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  8. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Not much scope at all for a 3ft gauge line in the UK as SAR "Cape Gauge" is 3ft 6ins. :)
     
    Spamcan81, Sep 25, 2010
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  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    RalphW, Oct 19, 2010
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  10. timmydunn

    timmydunn Member

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    La Moye (ex Jersey) and many others in SA at risk

    I happened upon this site yesterday:

    http://www.steam-in-action.com/

    I had no idea that theft and scrapping was such a big issue. I'd not seen the edition of Steam Railway with it in. I knew it'd been a problem elsewhere in Africa, but not in SA. Thankfully at least the second-oldest Garratt has now been moved out to another secure site. I can't find any pictures of the rest of the collection, but there are some incredibly interesting bits of kit over there (much of it British-built) that looks to be in a tragic way. Such a shame that 27 locos have been cut up on the spot - but it's not clear which ones have escaped and what their state is.

    All UK sites have to be careful about their security and we've probably all been the victims of theft at any railway - but nothing on this scale.

    Some newsletters with reports of items moving out and some heartbreaking North British tank pics:

    http://www.steam-in-action.com/images/stories/sia/20101019/sia oct10 newsletter.pdf

    http://www.steam-in-action.com/images/stories/sia/20101118/sia nov10 newsletter.pdf

    Tim
     
    timmydunn, Nov 21, 2010
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