A Grand Return! - South African Steam Adventure

[@PotgieterWoodturning]

I see myself as very fortunate and one of very few lucky people who grew up being exposed to Steam as my Father was a Train Driver. Always seeing how proud he was of what he did, sparked the wish with myself to work on the Railway. Tes, I got my wish but my path was much different to my dad's as I became a Shunter and I am still working on the Railway (Prasa) as a Yard Master. Yes, unfortunately things aren't as it was or as we would have liked it to be, but, we do the best with the hand we have been dealt. Steam will always have a special place in my heart as it brings back very fond memories of Yesteryears. Great video.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Indeed you are lucky, not just to work on the railway but also to have such a rich heritage of doing so in your family. I can imagine the pride you both must feel to be a part of something like that. I hope we can continue to support and keep our steam dreams alive here in SA for future generations to enjoy. Thank you for watching. Hylt

[@PotgieterWoodturning]

@@Proper_Chuffed yes, it would be nice if that can happen for future generations.

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Thank you for being positive under the situation.

[@denishilder3124]

What a beast of a loco, makes the class 38 in NSW look tiny. Thanks for the history of the loco, but a look inside the coaching stock would have been nice!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hi Denis, sorry about the late response here, not sure how I missed this. I will do my best to capture that next time, it was quite full so I felt like I was being a bit nosy shooting inside 😂

[@godfreyberry1599]

Light at the end of a dark tunnel. Thank you to all the dedicated enthusiasts who kept going despite almost insurmountable challenges. Time to get out with our families and the younger generation in full support of this noble cause to ensure this trickle becomes a FLOOD.

[@Stormbergrail]

Brilliant video, really need more support for heritage lines.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Totally agree with you! We have such a rich heritage here!

[@little_britain]

That Ruston was made in my home town, just over the river from our first house.

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

👍Cool

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That is really cool to know, it's made a very long journey to get down here! :P

[@madisonmandy]

Right at the end. Thats me with the dog😁

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Very cute dog! I hope you had a good time 😎

[@PringletonModelRailway]

Great to see you out and about in this wonderful video. Some incredible locos in there - thank you 👍🚂

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thanks so much PMR 😊 really appreciate you watching it, it was a very welcome bit of escapism 😅

[@gingeronrails]

Absolutely magical to see her service! I remember watching the "Monster Moves" episode on one of these over and over! Wonderful orchestral song, "Train from Bloemfontein" !!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Agreed! Thank you so much for watching! I remember the song, it was very cool actually. 😊 here’s to many more!

[@andrewcalladine2507]

What a great experience, incredible looking machine. The size of that tender! Also lovely to meet Annie.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Andrew, thank you for watching! It’s insane how big it is! 😂 glad she could make an appearance, hoping to get her in more vids as she has been a big supporter of my journey.

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

Looks like you had a great day. Good to see there is a preservation scene for you to enjoy. Hope it continues to thrive. We are blessed in the UK with our preserved railways. Thanks for showing. Regards Paul.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you Paul, indeed it is small but no doubt I am grateful to have something to see 😊 I am heading to the UK in 2 months so I’m looking forward to seeing some heritage railways!

[@johnjacobs9184]

Great video mate, loved seeing footage of the 15F running in this video, such a gorgeous looking machine 🙂

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello John! I am so glad you enjoyed it! I was totally mesmerised by it, the sheer size and power really took my breath away. Thank you so much for watching. Hylt

[@johnjacobs9184]

@@Proper_Chuffed keep up the good work hylt 👍🙂

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I’ll do my best! 😊

[@doubleodave]

Hey that’s a bit fancy with a countdown isn’t it 👍👍😎

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Too far in advance? 😂

[@doubleodave]

@@Proper_Chuffed no I just like the drama of it didn’t know you could even do that lol 👍

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@doubleodave get on it on the next one! Should be under “premier” and you can set it all up there

[@doubleodave]

@@Proper_Chuffed I bloomin’ well will do pal 👍

[@doubleodave]

Think I’ve done it for one in the morning not sure it it auto advertises though? 😃

[@cjtannerza]

In 2023 I travelled from Durban to Centurion for the Centurion Model Engineers show with my son. I had seen that Wonder Steam was in Pretoria. We arrived at Wonder steam on the Friday afternoon unannounced but were recognized as steam enthusiasts and welcomed to look at the engines. My son is 13 and was in his element. The 19D was being tested the next morning and we were invited to come along. This was such a special experience for my son who had never been in the cab of a loco before while it was in steam. A memory to last us a lifetime and something we are so grateful for.

[@Railmanmemes]

Hi dad

[@cjtannerza]

@@Railmanmemes Hi muckle

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That is such a special memory! I can imagine you guys had a really wonderful time! 😊thanks for sharing that, South African steam is special and even more so when you can make memories together

[@cjtannerza]

@@Proper_Chuffed we recently travelled to George to see the transport museum. First time on a jet plane too.

[@francoisbezuidenhout4638]

This brings tears to my eyes. I was unaware of these beauties being restored and put in use agai n. I will put travelling with them on my bucket list for sure.❤

[@Proper_Chuffed]

It’s wonderful to see them running, and I’m glad you got something out of it, thank you for watching 😊

[@Caledonian905]

That little blue diesel is a Ruston & Hornsby 88DS, they were built between 1942 and 1967. I honestly find it pretty impressive they managed to get that little diesel all the way down to South Africa

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@Caledonian905 me too! I couldn’t believe it 😂

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Look, we all know it's gone down hill , but less negativity and more thankfulness that Prasa even allows this is called for. When steam closed down in the 80s Spoornet made it extremely difficult to run specials here in the Western Cape. Now there's quite a bit happening here.

[@LyntreeTown20132]

Brilliant video wonderful restoration of that amazing big locomotive hope many more of them locos make it back to life thanks for filming and sharing

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you so much for watching, indeed a very special day for 3117 and the community here as a whole ☺️

[@Rustysee]

Lovely bit of filming Hylton, brings back so many memories of my visit in 1978. Subscribed, keep up the great work, Russ.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Russ, lovely to see you here 😊 so glad you enjoyed it, keep well and looking forward to more content of your wonderful layout! 😎

[@nigelslade5276]

Good to see steam preservation is alive and well in SA Tractive effort of 47340 at 75% boiler pressure, should this be at 85% ?

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I think you’re right about the BP, while I always try to get my numbers right, I’m still no expert 😝

[@davidvlok1755]

Thanks a million for sharing this fantastic footage. Hats of to all the people that are keeping this heritage alive. 👍😃 very fond memories of steam travel

[@Proper_Chuffed]

You’re very welcome and indeed hats off to them! It’s vital we do our best to support it!

[@ChobertonJunction]

Hey Hylt, sorry missed your premiere was all lined up but a surprise family visit took me away. Great to see that you are able to do something like this. Agree with you when you say we are lucky in the UK but not sure how they are funded but I do know they have to fight for every penny they get and some are struggling and could disappear very quickly.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Tony, no worries at all my friend, a family surprise is a good thing I hope! Thank you, indeed a rare opportunity here these days sadly. We should always do what we can to keep these steam dreams alive!

[@Valleys56xx]

Awesome monsters, puts our little engines in their place, man... beautiful landscape, but I should have known with your country. The real thing is just fantastic compared to the small stuff, it's important to keep those things running!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hey Chris, thanks for watching. Appreciate it man, and I suppose I hadn’t thought of that tbh, they are substantially larger than the British engines. 😅 hopefully we will see a GMAM running soon!

[@wimpretorius1683]

I've traveled with my family from Pretoria station to Cape Town station many, many years ago and these locomotives are a beauty it's sad to see that they don't use them so much anymore

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Just listen to the sound of the dragon breathing in the low sunlight of the day. Shining in all her glory. Just to be near steam, the sights and sounds it doesn’t get better than that. Such a large beast reminds me of the locomotives I've seen in Germany

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hey Steve, indeed, dragon is an apt word. It really doesn’t get better, I cannot wait to see the UK locos in person later this year! 😊 thanks for watching bud

[@jeffreysmith156]

An excellent video. Perhaps you could do one explaining a bit (as unbiasedly as you can) on why South African Railways are currently doing so badly?

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Jeffrey, I would like to attempt that at some point, good suggestion. I will need to weigh up the research and try my hand at it.

[@jeffreysmith156]

@@Proper_Chuffed I am from the UK so any background would be of interest to me. By the way, from the start, the early morning sunlight really made your video look great to me.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

No problem 😊 I will certainly endeavour to cover it in some way in the future for you then 😊 Thank you, it really was a stunning morning 🌅

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Hylton. That 15F is a magnificent beast! It just goes to show how expert NBL was at building steam locos, but then fell into bankruptcy due to their spectacular inability to transition to the building of diesels. The people responsible for the maintenance and care of City of Bloemfontein should feel extremely proud of what they've achieved. In the UK, steam locos are permitted to run at 75mph on the mainline, which is necessary in order not to create too many delays for the regular, scheduled services. There is one exception: A1 Tornado, which is allowed to run at 90mph, after demonstrating it could run safely at 100mph. It's not yet pulled a charter train at this speed, but when it returns to mainline duties, who knows? Another excellent, entertaining video.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Stephen, Indeed, I wonder how it all went so catastrophically wrong for NBL, they were masters of their craft! I am now trying to source a 15F in HO, hopefully I can come right! 😂 Indeed, a magnificent restoration and they can be pleased, amazing considering how few funds are available for this sorts of stuff. Though, I suspect cheaper labour may be a big help! I can’t wait to get behind a mainline steamer later this year! Perhaps if the timing works out, it will be Tornado! 🥰 Thanks for watching again, keep well sir! Hylt

[@stephendavies6949]

@Proper_Chuffed Tornado is being "run in" at The Great Central Railway at the moment. Not sure how long it'll be there, however...

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@stephendavies6949 will have to see. With my luck I’ll miss her. But I’ll try make a turn if she is close enough by! 👌

[@lancewalton4807]

Thank you for sharing, excellent photography, the 15F is looking stunning, brilliant paint job, and the presentation of the locomotive, the chaps in Bloemfontein can be very proud of themselves. YL

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hi Lance, thank you for the kind words, I am glad you enjoyed it! Indeed they have done a magnificent job of bringing her back to life. What a treat! Keep well, Hylt

[@StarWarsJay]

What is the purpose of those big panels at the front of the loco? The ones either side of the smoke box?

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

👋 Google Smoke Deflectors 👍

[@StarWarsJay]

@@Cape_Cod_Steve cheers mate.

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

​@@StarWarsJay👍

[@MysticBrick]

Hey cool stuff there cuz, love the outing. 🤩 Sorry for the hangups, worth it I’m sure!

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thanks cuz. Much appreciated. It was a blast!

[@themodeltrainshop174]

Beautiful video! Pity you were not around during the `Reef Steamer days, plenty trips. But same Prasa nonsense...

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Oh I wish I had been. 😌 sadly no avoiding the bureaucracy eh?

[@neiljosephbennett9119]

Well, I was, as you know, and I have 9 years' worth of videos from my time with Reefsteamers.

[@JerseyBill-x9r]

Great video and hello Annie. I'm sorry that the rail system in South Africa is so tossed but to see those locomotives like the 4-8-2 and the Garret was a joy so thanks you two.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello, thank you so much, it's good to hear from you again. Indeed, tossed is a good word for it. Thanks so much for watching, Annie is rather shy, so it was a mighty ask to get her on camera! :P Keep well, Hylt

[@fatpigeon008]

Random fact: 3117's whistle comes from a garratt that used to work in Rhodesia.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That’s bloody brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! Even more special

[@Rheilffordd]

I really enjoyed this video, and it’s an awesome insiders glimpse into the steam preservation scene in South Africa! Am hoping you can do more trips like this and document them accordingly. Have subscribed anyway! 😁 Cheers, from Australia

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thanks so much mate, not sure how I missed this comment, really enjoy your content too! Chat soon!

[@JPoulAndersson]

Love South African engines, great looking machines! Rgds, Joachim

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hey Joachim, thank you so much for watching man. They are such special things, even more so to see them alive and running! 😎

[@rocknroll527]

Wow, what a majestic beast . Thanks for sharing.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

She truly is! Thank you so much for watching! :) Hylt

[@neiljosephbennett9119]

Wonderful video, Hylton. There were two Garratts at the depot in 2011 - this one and R.E.G.M.'s R4 in their fleet of four Garratts, another of which was the iconic GMAM No.4079 'LYNDIE-LOU' (now plinthed at Sandstone Estate). The 15F famously derailed on a (then) FOTR Fathers' Day trip in June 2010, due to the removal of wooden sleepers in a cutting outside Cullinan. What a joy to see her back in steam after 14 years, and what an extraordinary restoration! And, yes, she is currently the only 15F in steam. Footnote: in May last year she was christened NKOSI, but I see that nameplate is missing. Curious ......

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Neil. Thank you so much for watching this, indeed a special day out. I really missed the ‘golden’ if we can call it that, age of heritage here. Sounds like you had some great adventures. I was also curious about the nameplate omission… 🤔

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

Great video, nice loco.. Cheers James 🙂👍

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello James, thank you, rather special. Keep well, hope the custard production is going well!

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

@Proper_Chuffed all is well with the custard. Hopefully, there'll be a new video very soon, which will hopefully raise a smile 😁👍

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY I look forward to it James 😊

[@JohanKuhn-k2c]

I was a steem fitter in germoston

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Lovely Johan, must have been awesome working on these beasts?

[@JohanKuhn-k2c]

Ja it was onner to work te steem fore 21 years stil love to see tem in running kondision

[@JohanKuhn-k2c]

I enjoyed it very much, and my heart will always be with steam. Do know where I can get a CD with footage of steam engines what I can watch offline.

[@TheRedLineModelRailway]

What a magnificent machine. The pinnacle of that technology. You couldn’t go further with steam.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Cheers Jas, yeah we were one of the last countries to retire steam and some of the machines produced in the 70's and 80's were really damn impressive.

[@TheRedLineModelRailway]

@@Proper_Chuffed impressive. Most impressive.

[@forrestrobin2712]

Great stuff mate. Love SAR steam.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you so very much mate, it is special isn’t it!

[@majorboots6390]

no matter how many breakdowns she had, it was still such a nice ride and the loco was stunning !

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Breakdowns? 🤨 I understood from the team the delays were caused by prasa and their permissions for certain line sections 😂 thanks for watching mate!

[@majorboots6390]

@@Proper_Chuffed so why i say breakdowns is, when the train didnt leave the station where everyone met , one of the staff told me they had a problem with one of the valves, and when we were over the bridge, the engine lost steam and couldnt move so we sat there building steam, i was told this by the manager of the train

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

👍👍 Neat video. Very cool outing , love that locomotive .

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thanks Steve, appreciate that mate. She is a beauty isnt she?