Ray of hope... may the old cranes steam again.
17th October 2007As a result of a number of initiatives the scrap tender has been halted. Read all about it...
| UPDATE: 19th October 2007 |
| We have just been advised that Crane No. 84 that we applied for has been cut up for scrap. This is notwithstanding our letter (attached) and the reassurance given to HRASA (also attached). This is perhaps some indication of the way railway heritage items are treated in South Africa. |
| UPDATE: 29th October 2007 |
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Despite a stay on the awarding of the Transnet tender for steam cranes, due to the intervention of those involved in preservation who convinced the authorities that they should not be cut up ,the best laid plans were shattered when it was discovered that two units were being cut up in Kimberley. They are lost forever.
While the option closing date was in the process of being extended to the 30th of November, Sandstone was alerted to the fact that the cranes were being cut up. The response, after an urgent call was made to the authorities who issued the tender, was that this was not possible as the tender had not been awarded. Further calls however confirmed that this was indeed the case.
One can but only wonder what the outcome of the investigation which has apparently been launched into this travesty will reveal.
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| UPDATE: 5th November 2007 |
| Although the tender to purchase these cranes was not even adjudicated TFR cut them up for scrap anyway. They should hang their heads in shame... Pictures below. |
(Click on the thumbnails to open PDF's in a new window)
