SAR Police: Gold Shipment via the Rand Mineral Line
SA RAILWAYS POLICE: GOLD SHIPMENT VIA THE RAND MINERAL LINE
J & J Wepener
Abstract: Gold Shipment via the Rand Mineral Line
Every Tuesday, a South African Railways (S.A.R.) checker and clerk, accompanied by a police escort, boarded a specially designated specie bogie wagon at Platform 1. This wagon was steam-hauled along the Rand Mineral Line via India Junction to the Refinery gold plant, where 99.99% pure gold bars were loaded for export. The consignment was destined for the United Kingdom, shipped via Union Castle liners departing from Durban Harbour. The gold wagon was coupled to the “Trans Natal” train departing at 18:30, arriving in Durban and transferred to the “T” Jetty (Ocean Terminal) on the line from Dalbridge to Point for maritime dispatch.
The Wepeners report as follows:
On Tuesdays a checker and clerk would board a specie bogie wagon with a S.A.R. Police escort at platform 1.
Steam hauled to the Refinery gold plant via India junction. On the “Rand Mineral Line”. To load 99.99% pure gold bars for shipment to the U.K. by “Union Castle” ships from Durban harbour.
“T” Jetty/”Ocean Terminal” on the line from Dalbridge to Point. Wagon coupled to “Trans Natal” 18h30 arriving Durban taken to “T Jetty”
J & J Wepener.
The interior of a Specie Coach: J & J Wepener:
Safe for Gold
Stove for cooking
Beds for SAR Police
Interior
Comments by HBH
Gold is now flown out in SA Airways
