Elaborate "Test" Train

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Chris Janisch reports.....

Today an impressive test train came past our plot at Pyramid. Two blue 34s, hauling blue 39-001, new livery 39-003, orange 34, brown 34, then the new 19Es separated by the green test car.

Some shots grabbed in between working hours attached!

It is interesting comparing 19-001 with 002, the new livery is markedly faded on the loco out in traffic for a few months.

I am sure this livery will look grubby in a few years time

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Some odd things happening in your part off the world!!!!

Firstly - What on earth could this strange rake be testing?

Secondly - You are working? Do you mean you are no longer galloping around on horses inspecting you estate, in between cocktails at the pool side?

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

I would give my eye teeth to stay near Pyramid. My camera would be working overtime .The cocktails and pool side would be an absolute chore. Kevin you sound jealous.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

I am - mainly because in between photos (and I suspect he also employs someone to take them while he lies by the pool) he gets to gallop around an estate, drinking cocktails etc!

[Chris Janisch]

Apart from minor inconveniences, like sweltering midday temperatures and the occasional farm murder, it is quite nice living out here. In fact, I have lived next to a railway for 28 years now, the first 14 being near Rissik station on the Pretoria-Witbank line, where I first fell in love with those magnificent 15CAs on the Cullinan trains.
As for cocktails, in midsummer only a cold Savanna will do as the sun sets after another blistering hot day in the bushveld, and another doubleheaded 7E rumbles past...