2009-07-10: Coal Freight to Saldanha departing Bellville yard

10:00 4 Diesels no's 34-415, 35-068, 35-442 and 35-465 show up with a heavy load of Anthracite bound for the smelters at Saldanha.






The wagons are of the CCR type clearly marked with an arrow on the side.


The CCR "arrow" wagons have a capacity of 67 cubic metres, and each one can carry 58,000 kg coal. The Steel smelter at Saldanha requires 675,000 tons of anthracite per annum - this boils down to some 11637 wagons of coal of this type - or an average of 32 wagons per day all year round! [Source for tonnage here.]


The locomotives are slowly moving up the incline, trying to keep the train in momentum as the driver anticipates the green signal.


The signal is green, and the diesels smoke as power is applied.






Each coal wagon has one "arrow" on the side ...

2009-05-10: Chasing Trains - Berg River to Hopefield

1st Sighting

14:48 near Berg River silos and coming from Saldanha.


A large consist of 5 diesels: no's 35-068, 35-442, 35-410, 35-045 and 34-115.




Going towards Bellville. In yellow is the 132 ton Cottwald Breakdown Crane which is, when on standby, based in Bellville. The wagon trailing the Crane contains an assortment of items required to operate the crane on site.





2nd Sighting

14:58 - This train has just departed from Berg River Station after crossing the previous train there.


This is a heavy load train, and the locomotives are hard pressed ...


The diesels are from the front: 35-061, 35-004, 35-449 and 35-029


Going towards Saldanha.


Fully laden with carbon-rich anthracite, required for the smelters at Saldanha.The CCR "arrow" wagons have a capacity of 67 cubic metres, and each one can carry 58,000 kg coal. The Steel smelter at Saldanha requires 675,000 tons of anthracite per annum - this boils down to some 11637 wagons of coal of this type - or an average of 32 wagons per day all year round! [Source for tonnage here.]

3rd Sighting

15:05 The train about to cross the road between Berg River Station and Hopefield town.




The Cottwald Breakdown Crane crossing the road.

4th Sighting

15:20 The train enters Hopefield Station








The Cottwald Breakdown Crane will be at home base to-night.