Blue Train 25NC 3476 1990

On the 16th and 23rd of May 1990 the Blue Train was hauled by steam - as a special concession using class 25NC no.3476 between Johannesburg and Klerksdorp. This is followed by scenes of the Trans Karoo Express also hauled by special arrangement, by class 25NC locomotives on Fridays and Saturdays between Johannesburg and Klerksdorp between 1989 and 1991.

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

The good old days when one could travel safely on the trains and everything worked. 4.00 what a beauty.

[@petercowan6361]

When things still worked. When the Railway was the way. Magnificent men in magnificent machines. They served pride. Now there is practically nothing left. So sad.

[@lespivnic]

Sad indeed, Peter! From one of the best worldwide to an absolute shambles!

[@IO-zz2xy]

When I was a kid, we were friends with the Station Master of Sarnia station near Pinetown, KZN. I often saw him do double arm token exchanges on Express electric units. Occasionally a steam unit came through. I remember on a few occasions travelling from Dbn to Park Rynie pulled by a steam loco. My dad always told us never to look out of the windows facing the unit because you get soot and coal dust in your eyes, we always did and we always got soot and dust in our eyes. LOLS Good memories.

[@Maria63756]

When things worked properly ❤

[@DillonTrinhProductions]

Those rod going up and down made me love these 4-8-4s.

[@RAILFANinSOUTHAFRICA]

Thanks for sharing these videos Les, so glad the channel has come alive again after being dormant for 5 years !!!! Please keep on uploading!!!

[@ralphralefeta1179]

My eyes are in tears,as I remember in 1995 I rode the last steam train from park station to Pretoria Bosman station only stopping in Germiston then the final stop Pretoria not stopping on other station.No borders means crime will always be high,God has left South Africa,it will never be the same again.

[@theyellowmongoose6181]

It was also nice seeing the Metroblitz's 12E in action as well.

[@antstephenson9497]

Take a look at the condition of the steam locomotive, absolutely perfect.

[@Isochest]

I liked the token swap on the fly. The signalman handed the guard something too.

[@MrJohnNel]

Great video thank you for posting

[@lespivnic]

Thanks John!

[@lespivnic]

Glad that you enjoyed the video, John!

[@Adventurescot]

Wow Les, this really brings back memories of my days on the 25NCs. Your sound quality is great and so I had it right up loud. Thanks for sharing

[@lespivnic]

Glad you enjoyed it, Richard!

[@winco68]

I’m glad you made these excellent recordings. Incredible memories to have. The 25NC is a hugely powerful machine able to haul such a heavy train at speed from a standstill. Don’t think I’ve seen a token exchange at that speed! Potential for injury but they were pros back then. Probably doesn’t happen now.

[@lespivnic]

winco 68, it doesn't happen today because there are hardly any trains still running in South Africa and country stations are mostly abandoned and derelict.

[@winco68]

@@lespivnic Thanks for the update. What an absolute crying shame ☹️.

[@duxberry1958]

9:32 nice bit of wheel slip

[@gerhardusbreed3229]

beautiful videod make more post more

[@lespivnic]

Hello Gerhardus; Our railways have been destroyed - so no more videos to make - sorry!

[@tagless1717]

2024 we only left with Gautrain 😢

[@doorattachment6926]

Loop die Blou trein nog?

[@ralphralefeta1179]

Les Pivnic you rock,I had a best friend with almost the same surname,but his was PIVNIK came from Russia near the border of Belarus called smolensk.How did you get these Vids?

[@lespivnic]

Dear Ralph, I recorded the videos of all the trains myself with my own cameras. My grandfather came from a Russian village near Minsk in 1900. He settled in South Africa. I am convinced that the name Pivnic should have been spelt Pivnik like my American relations. The mix-up probably occurred when my grandfather arrived in South Africa not being able to speak English.

[@lespivnic]

Hi again Ralph: your best friend named Pivnik must surely be a relative of mine - can you tell me more about him please. Les.

[@ralphralefeta1179]

@@lespivnic Hi I hope so,we were friends while I was in UK ,his name is Mika Pivnic.I am surprised your grandfather left Europe for this shithole of a country where crime and immigration is out of control,I miss driving in Europe

[@lespivnic]

@@ralphralefeta1179 Hi Ralph, I agree with your views on today's South Africa. I am a born South African and I lived for the bulk of my 87 years of life in a very pleasant Country under white rule. This sounds racist but it remains a fact the the black people who now run the place have no idea of how to run a peacful country. When my grandfather emigrated to South Africa, it was a wonderful place to live - sadly no more. South Africa hit the skids in 1994 when the ANC came into power.

[@aubreyvermaak609]

Title mis leading as there are other trains also involved. Pretty power how ever.