11 September 2009
PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENTS : SEPTEMBER 2009
Monthly Meeting:-
Date & Time:- Wednesday, 16 September 2009. 7.00 p.m. for 7.30.
Venue: Clubhouse of the Durban Society of Model Engineers, Hinton Grove, VIRGINIA
Feature:- Arthur Gammage of the eThekwini Municipality’s Urban Design of Public Spaces Department will be addressing us on the proposals for a possible Historic Rail Route in Durban. Some of the ideas include moving the “Natal†locomotive from Durban station to the ICC; finding a suitable place to plinth the RSSA’s Class H2 loco; commemorative plaques along the original 1860 Durban – Point rail route; and building a replica signal cabin at the location of the level crossing at the bottom end of West Street.
Next Month’s Programme:-
Wednesday, 21 October 2009:- Member Peter Field will be giving us an illustrated talk on his recent visit to Australia, which naturally included plenty of railway adventures. Please diarise the RSSA Natal Branch Photographic Competition, which takes place on 18 November. For more details and how to enter, contact Alan Wilson on 031-201 9687.
Branch Excursion:- Although the bookings for the RSSA outing to Johannesburg over 23 – 25 September have closed, I might be able to find place for one or two male members, but all family compartments have been taken. Contact me urgently if you are interested.
Something Different:- Although this might be academic as the light will no doubt be long gone for photography, but there will be the rather rare spectacle of two Rovos Rail trains scheduled to cross one another between Nshongweni and Cliffdale at about 17:20 on Sunday, 20 September.
Umgeni Steam Railway:- (website address:
www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za)
Monday, 14 September 2009 : General Meeting at Inchanga (19:00)
Sunday, 27 September 2009 : Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
Tuesday, 6 October 2009 : Committee Meeting at New Germany (17:30)
Sunday, 25 October 2009 : Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
Tuesday, 3 November 2009 : Committee Meeting at New Germany (17:30)
Monday, 9 November 2009 : General Meeting at Inchanga (19:00)
Sunday, 29 November 2009 : Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
Tuesday, 8 December 2009 : Committee Meeting at New Germany (17:30)
Sunday, 13 December 2009 : Santa Special Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
Sunday, 20 December 2009 : Santa Special Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
: Carols by Candlelight : Kloof – Inchanga (17:00) - steam
Work-parties take place at Inchanga and Mason’s Mill most weekends – usually on Saturdays. Coaching – 031-701 6810 (Clem Robins) projects currently underway include the refurbishment of brake-end no. 7376 and repairs to caoches nos. 209 and 500; Locos – 082-820 9337 (Simon Anderson) projects currently underway entail finalisation of boiler repair to Class 3BR no. 1486 and a start to be made on restoration of Dubs A no.134 (NGR 88); work is also taking place on the refurbishment of the loco water reservoir at Inchanga – Marc Bouchier (083- 252 2912) would be pleased to hear from you if you can help!; ‘Maritzburg activities – 083-435 9210 (Roy Raats) projects underway include repairs to coaches nos. 233 and 4781. For all enquiries about the running of U.S.R. trains, as well as bookings, please call Rob Macgregor on 031-303 3003 or 082-353 6003.
Railway History Society:- Next meeting takes place at 8 Old New Germany Road, Westville at 19:30 on Wednesday, 7 October 2009. Library sessions: 11:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays, 12 September and 17 October 2009 at Inchanga station. As always, all are welcome at the library – liquid refreshments on sale and there will be a braai at about 1 pm.
Modellers:-. Assistance is often required for the running of the model layout at Inchanga Station on USR Running Days. To volunteer or for more details please contact Ian Sutherland on 073-914 3395.
Steam in Action:- Sandstone will be running a special week-long event called “Mega Power†during April 2010. For more details or to register as a participant, please visit the website
www.steam-in-action.com
D.S.M.E.:- Durban Society of Model Engineers operates their miniature live steam trains for the public on the second Sunday of each month at Kellaway Park, Hinton Grove, VIRGINIA. For details, contact John Coombe on 031-572 6984.
Ashley Peter
SECRETARY
