Consecutive premiers of the Northern Cape have been invited through their spokespersons to view the steam locomotives in the Beaconsfield depot. These engines have the potential to pull tourist carriages over the province’s magnificent landscapes, resulting in much-needed tourist income and job opportunities.
There has not been a positive response to date, according to Pete Odell, a director of Steamnet 2000 NPC, a non-profit organisation.
Odell recently met with Steve Sanderberg, an American locomotive engineer, and his wife Megan, who managed to spend a precious half an hour with Odell and Ian Mandy, a volunteer. Together they viewed the collection of locomotives in the depot. Two of the locomotives have been operationally restored. On one of them Odell worked more than 800 hours, the volunteers even more.
Odell was a steam train driver for 40 years in South Africa. His old locomotive, the Karoo Conqueror, is still in the depot. It carried up to 18 tons of coal and 50 000 litres of water. The 12 locomotives in the collection are all historically connected with and operated in the Northern Cape.
The depot also houses the last two condensor locomotives left in the world, owned by Transnet Heritage and on contract with Steamnet 2000 NPC. One is being restored in Germiston, courtesy of Australian donors.
Only five countries used it to recover exhaust steam. The function of the condenser is primarily to recover water back into the boiler. Cold air is put through radiators to condense the steam and turn it back into water to be reused. The efficiency was 90% even though the maintenance costs were high.
The Sanderbergs recently visited Kimberley while on a trip on the Blue Train. While his fellow passengers alighted to visit the Big Hole, he spent time with Odell at the depot.
Sanderberg is the president of the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA.com) in Illinois at Silvis near Rock Island on the east bank of the Mississippi River. He also has a similar setup in Minneapolis.
He says they have three steam locomotives of which one is operational. “We mostly run day excursions for tourists, young and old. We have been able to do longer trips further afield. The biggest stumbling block is railroad liability insurance. It is encouraging that younger and younger people are expressing an interest in steam locomotives.
“History is part of what we do,” he says.
The couple is spending three weeks in Southern Africa.
“We will be travelling on the Rovos Rail train from Victoria Falls to Pretoria. Rail tourism brings in valuable dollars and sterling (pounds).”
Odell says even though the government says it cares about steam heritage preservation, he had not experienced it yet.
“They spent money to buy tickets for children to watch a cricket game, whereas children can also experience train tourism and go on exciting trips. I have interacted with many government departments and Northern Cape Tourism officials to spark an interest.”
