Class 35

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Class 35's rest at Hercules.

[Morne Bothma]

Nice shot Kevin! Where exactly is Herculus?

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

In Pretoria. Right next to our new location - Hermanstad.

I do not know if in fact it should be called the latter - both terms are used but the station is shown on the map as Hermanstad and the general area as Hercules.

[Steve Appleton]

The yard is officially the Hercules Yard. It is accessed by a single entrance track via crossovers and slips immediately north of the Hercules passenger station which is itself serviced by Metrorail commuter trains. The FOTR station and depot is siding number 801224 on the south side of the yard and was the Hercules public goods depot in the days of cattle loading and break-bulk (general freight) goods distribution; which is why it is equipped with a platform and goods shed.
To avoid repeated public confusion with the nearby Hercules Metrorail station, we had to come up with a unique name for it. After some discussion we took the easy way out and named it after the suburb in which it is situated. That way, most FOTR passengers can easily find it on their maps and GPSs.
The name Hercules itself was taken from the brand of cement manufactured by the Pretoria Portland Cement company whose plant (established way back in the ZA (Transvaal) Republic days) is located just east of the Hercules station, marked as "industrial complex" on Kevin's map.
The track out of the yard and the passing main lines with the cement works behind are shown in this picture:
http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... =90&t=5791

[Morne Bothma]

Thanks chaps for the info and map!!!