S.A.R. Police occurrence: theft from tank trucks and theft of copper.

S.A.R. POLICE OCCURRENCE: THEFT FROM TANK-TRUCKS AND THEFT OF COPPER.

Humour in Uniform

J & J Wepener

This occurrence happened many years ago.
At large marshalling yards constant pillage from railway trucks was being experienced. The S.A.R. Police decided to place members in strategically placed trucks in shunting yards. Only the officials in charge and police members were aware of this action. As usual, servants got wind of this action. During a nightshift the yard staff gently closed the door and coupled the truck and added it to the load of a goods train ready to depart.  The next day a search was made to trace the missing member. At another yard, shunters heard a banging on the door of a truck. On opening they found the exhausted member in a poor state. He was the missing policeman. This could be just a tale, but it could also be true?

Reports of theft were investigated from type ‘XW-2’ – ‘XW-5″ – ‘XW-6’ Liquor tank trucks.  [Decanting is done from the bottom.] It was found that the thieves must have had knowledge and coupling equipment to drain some of the contents. Similar theft took place from fuel tank trucks. In both cases decanting flammable liquids was a very dangerous practice. Servants were also probably involved as they were always at the far end of the yard when theft took place. Private hired security could also have been aware.

A story told of copper thieves paying security off in cash to patrol somewhere else whilst contact wire stolen. The usual threat of: “We know your address and will kill your family should you not go away and shut up”.
Spoorweggroete,

John and Jacque.