THE DEMISE OF THE SA RAILWAYS POLICE.

1961 & 2025: SIGHTINGS AT HAMILTON STATION ON MAINLINE.

1964: MEMORIES OF SADF-TRAINING AT 16TH SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT COMPANY

J & J Wepener

This is the main line – all copper catenary wires have stolen – diesel traction is now used.

1961: Comparison photo by Les Pivnic

Here attached is a photo that I took in December 1961of a goods train being worked by a 15F passing through Hamilton, the first station south of Bloemfontein on the line to Springfontein and the junction for the line to Kimberley.

Looking at your photos of Hamilton as it is today, I think of stations on closed lines in Britain especially, being used for alternative purposes and not trashed.  In South Africa, stations are trashed to rubble! – HL Pivnic

Hi Hennie,

Hamilton is the Junction for the line to Kimberley. [Once known as Tempe Junction], due to the line to Tempe military base. Opened 1904 Uplifted 1932. Also, junction for the line to Springfontein then onwards to Burgersdorp, to East London and also to Noupoort (Nauwpoort) to Port Elizabeth and to Rosmead (Junction) (Rosmead Road) also to Port Elizabeth/Mossel Bay.

Bloemfontein junction for the line to Bethlehem via Modderpoort.

Showgrounds re named Hersteloord.

From August 1964 to December 1964 I was attached to a temporary Administrative Service Corps [A.S.C.] 16th Supply and Transport Company (16th S.T. Coy.). Serving in the Light Workshop Troop [L.W.T.] of the Technical Service Corps [T.S.C.] (Tiffies).

“As strong as a horse and as quick as a flash of lighting”.

We were very proud of our corps badge. A prancing horse (silver) on a bolt of lightning (gold).

The motto “As strong as a horse and as quick as a flash of lighting”. Referring to strong and fast response to breakdowns in battle situations. To repair or recover vehicles. The parade ground was next to Showground halt.

From where the branch to Tempe had left the main line. The branch long gone. But steam hauled suburban side door coach trains from Bloemfontein to Kloofeind past at regular intervals. I often was
caught glancing at these steam trains. Caught out had to run around the parade ground. The Corporal or Sergeant shouting: “Jy wil vir die treine op parade kyk nou kry jy ‘n nader blik op hulle spore wat agter bly. Hardloop”. I cannot remember if I was fortunate enough to meet a 15F locomotive (See photo) whilst running. The line was busy with goods and passenger trains all being plentiful.

Take a peek at a map of the Bloemfontein area to get a good perspective of track layout.

Spoorweggroete,

John and Jacque.

Sightings and Temporary camp Showgrounds.

Hi Hennie,

Remembered another little snippet of my time at the Showgrounds with 16th S T Co.

With no area at the showgrounds for any PT training troops were trucked to Tempe Camp. We did not like our Wednesday trips as we were offloaded at the “Parabat” camp. Marched to their PT area. We all shuddered on arrival. Pine poles all over the area. Zig-Zag balancing poles, cargo nets drooping from a high, more poles to climb and scramble over then drop into a sand filled pit, run over – under poles strewn about and many more exhausting exercises. Then we enjoyed our trips to the De Brug shooting range.

My first meeting with a “FN” rifle was at Skurweberg, Voortrekkerhoogte. Made in Belgium having light grey metal parts and a wooden butt.  (All non-combatant regiments issued with these rifles. The R1 issued to the combatant regiments).

The gun tiffies always set the gas regulator at full pressure. They would state “Skiet slegs een ronde”. With gas at full setting the recoil would move the troop a distance backwards. Sleeves of overalls
had to be rolled up. NO GROUND SHEET USED. After a lot of laughing and crude/rude comments the tiffies would set the gas at the correct setting. For a few days the Medics had numbers of troops asking for Iodine or other ointment to help hasten the healing process of the cuts and scratched arms.

Thinking back, actually these weeks/months/years of basic training and camps were not really too bad.

On arrival we were told for the first three months we would be “Blougatte”. In later years “Roofies” was used.

Dinspliggroete,

John and Jacque.