![Umgeni Steam Railway, locomotive 1486 Maureen, Kloof station 06-Jun-2010](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Umgeni_Steam_Railway%2C_locomotive_1486_Maureen%2C_Kloof_station_06-Jun-2010.jpg)
The Umgeni Steam Railway is a gauge
heritage railway at
Inchanga, near
Durban
Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...
. The Durban to
Pietermaritzburg line was built in the 1880s; it runs through a long tunnel at Drummond built in 1878, which is probably the oldest tunnel in use today in South Africa
In 1982, a small
Dubs locomotive was donated by the Illovo Sugar company to local
enthusiasts
In modern usage, enthusiasm refers to intense enjoyment, interest, or approval expressed by a person. The term is related to playfulness, inventiveness, optimism and high energy. The word was originally used to refer to a person possessed by G ...
; this was the start of the preservation group. A Class-3BR locomotive is used every month; it was built by
North British Locomotive Company in February 1912. The coaches used were built between 1908 and 1953, with most being built in the 1930s.
Excursion Trains
On the last weekend of every month excursion trains are run from
Inchanga to
Bothas Hill because of flood damage between Bothas Hill and Kloof.
Museum
The Inchanga Railway Museum in the old Station Master's house next to the Inchanga Station, covers the history of
South African Railways
Transnet Freight Rail is a South African rail transport company, formerly known as Spoornet. It was part of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration, a state-controlled organisation that employed hundreds of thousands of people ...
. It is open to the public on days when trains are operating.
Routes
The Umgeni Steam Railway currently operates trains on the last Sunday of all months of the year between Kloof and Inchanga, with special trains running from Pietermaritzburg to Inchanga and
Nottingham Road
Nottingham Road is a town 19 km south of Mooi River and 59 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg on the R103 road in South Africa. Founded in 1905 and named after the Nottingham Regiment which was stationed there when trouble was expect ...
. The route from Kloof to Inchanga follows the old main line from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and traverses some of the steepest railway gradients in South Africa (1:30 to 1:50).
Fleet
The fleet of steam locomotives includes a
Class 3BR,
Class 12R,
Class 14R, two
Class 19Ds, a
Class GF Garratt and a
Class GMAM Garratt, along with the locomotive that the company was started with - namely an 1892 vintage
Class A "Dübs A".
[http://umgenisteamrailway.com]
Picture Gallery
(Click to enlarge)
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 001.jpg, The Umgeni Steam Railway prior to departure.
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 002.jpg, The Umgeni Steam Railway en route.
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 003.jpg, The Umgeni Steam Railway refreshment carriage.
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 004.jpg, Maureen, the Class 3BR locomotive No.1486 built in 1912.
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 005.jpg, One of the passenger carriages of the Umgeni Steam Railway
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 006.jpg, The firebox
Firebox may refer to:
*Firebox (steam engine), the area where the fuel is burned in a steam engine
*Firebox (architecture), the part of a fireplace where fuel is combusted
*Firebox Records
Firebox Records was a Finnish record label based in S ...
of Maureen, a 1912 built Class 3BR locomotive No.1486
Image:Umgeni Steam Railway 007.jpg, A view of KwaZulu-Natal from the Umgeni Steam Railway
External links
* http://umgenisteamrailway.com
References
{{authority control
Railway lines in South Africa
Heritage railways in South Africa
Railway museums in South Africa
3 ft 6 in gauge railways in South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal