Some of South Africa's Greatest Railway Crew (Compilation)

Old videos (better quality) and new videos. Stalking trains and some of the greatest train drivers/engineers, guards/assistants, foremen and shunters/switchers in South Africa. Main location: Western Cape SA.

[@markwilliams4201]

I worked as a train guard/conducted between 1984-1986,and these videos bring back very strong memories.Thankyou to SAR,you were the best.

[@eltonwitbooi8748]

That blowers blows my mind,awesome,this is soulfood

[@barrysaayman]

Railway people. My family. My people. My childhood role-models. The salt of the earth. I still admire, respect and love them with my whole heart. Dankie Reese.

[@malcolmmoses7146]

In life you will get people who are unhappy in their job because of circumstances either beyond their control or their own choice. For some a job is just a job,not enjoying it. I might be wrong,but most of us in the comment section will be happy driving trains day in and out and wave to people. Me included. Trains are my happy place. Love it.❤️❤️

[@drtalkboxsa9412]

I see some 7Es I miss them so much. I grew up watching them coming into Polokwane station from Pretoria

[@Isochest]

I don't know what South Africa is like now but when I visited in 1994 most people greeted me with what I thought then as an old fashioned politeness despite the economic inequality. I loved riding the trains. All those I rode were electric

[@zuhairabdulmajeed4724]

Wonderfull

[@jerryngobese3216]

Nice ... Thank You for a heart warming footage... There are still good people out there

[@hannesolivier1641]

Reese, enjoyed this video, especially the 6E and 7E inserts. Worked on those locos back in the 80's from Pyramid South outside of Pretoria. The 7E is and will always be my favourite loco. Please keep posting, there is not enough about our trains and locos around

[@reeselourens1459]

+Hannes Olivier Ek sal so maak Meneer! 7E is also by far My top favourite locomotive...the sound that powerful thing makes is just amazing.

[@sydneymartin6941]

@@reeselourens1459 Groete Ek het ook op Pyramid Suid gewerk en diesel en elektrik beman Moenie die ou 6klas weg gooi nie Ek het hulle ook geniet Dit was nou goeie ou dae vir jou Sal nooit weer die selfde wees nie

[@drtalkboxsa9412]

From Pyramid the 7e beasts came to my town in Polokwane, they are my favorite as well. In my varsity days we would take the Shosholoza in second class at Park Station… hauled by the Class 6Es and we change at pyramid to 7Es. Then off to Limpopo

[@booksbicycles7183]

That 18E at 05:20 was really moving! On a side note: Those Metrorail horns always crack me up, suck a funny little noise.

[@videophotography2794]

I really enjoyed watching this video, it was very nice!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

[@United_Wings]

Nice

[@martinmcmullen]

Awesome video of the train action! On Feb.4,2017a Saturday afternoon at CSX Goulding Yard here in my hometown of Pensacola, Florida a train crew give a horn and friendly wave! I was happy about that never happen too me before it was just awesome and great. Keep up the great work and be safe OK! Thanks!

[@reeselourens1459]

Thank you! Yes, it is awesome... engineers on these huge machines that know about trainspotters...

[@reeselourens1459]

What do you think of trains in South Africa though?

[@martinmcmullen]

Awesome some of the South African locomotives like the class 35s look the SDs of EMD or GEs ES series here in the states, But I enjoyed watching rail blogs from all over the world I just like trains and firetrucks I just a big kid at HEART. So have fun and be safe my friend OK! Thank you for your blog.

[@MrBnsftrain]

3:08 do trains in South Africa usually have a driver in another diesel locomotive? In America, I've seen crew walk between the trailing locomotives while moving I don't get waves from train crew (maybe because it's harder to see through windows of American locomotives), but there are some American train crews out there that do wave, especially similar to the one at 5:38

[@reeselourens1459]

Hey, no the locomotives in a consist are all controlled by the 'master' or leading locomotive. I believe the other crew members do the shunting (switching) once they get to a siding. I've heard that safety is another reason, since the diesels in service are much older (no air conditioning, for example) compared to the electric freight locomotives (all digital display units and some Wi-Fi). So if a diesel seems problematic, another driver (engineer) will have to keep an eye on that engine. Don't worry, I don't always get a wave either, but I think it is sometimes hard to see from such big, moving machines, especially when there's a signal waiting around the corner that needs attention🤔. Thank you for your comment! Be safe out there... especially near those big machines. 🙂

[@jamietumble609]

I've never seen an 18E coupled up to a 6E1

[@reeselourens1459]

Hey Sir. It's been a while... I hope you are doing well :). I saw two 18E's and one 6E1 pulling freight before, but that was back in 2010. The 6E1 started whining first, then the 18E's noise catched up. I wish I could capture that...