Friends of the Rail train trips to Cullinan
Photo courtesy Malcolm Best on www.wikipedia.org
Cullinan is world famous for its own “big hole” – the mine excavation site that yielded the world’s largest rough gem-quality diamond. Found by Frederick Wells, the surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company, on January 26, 1905, the diamond weighed in at some 3 106.75 carats (or 621.35g).
The stone, also known as the Great Star of Africa, was bought by the then Transvaal government and presented to King Edward VII on his birthday. After being split into three parts, it was polished and mounted in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross, part of the crown jewels of the British royal family.
Today, the site of the great diamond discovery and the surrounding town is a popular tourist attraction.
A fashionable way to enjoy a day tour of the region is offered by Friends of the Rail, a not-for-profit organisation tasked with preserving South Africa’s steam train and coach heritage. The organisation’s coach stock, dating back to the 1960s, has been restored to prime condition to serve the interests of the general public and rail community.
Photo courtesy Parrot of Doom on www.wikipedia.org
Every two months (on a Sunday morning), a Friends of the Rail-managed steam locomotive, complete with crew and train management, takes passengers on a day trip to Cullinan and back. The locomotive departs from the Friends of the Rail station in Hermanstad, in the west of Pretoria, where passengers are advised to leave their cars for the day.
A small, corner café-style shop at the station is stocked with souvenirs and light refreshments, should passengers wish to buy snacks for the two-hour journey to Cullinan, but be advised – the food and drinks coach is open throughout the round trip.
The locomotive leaves the station at 08h30, passes through Pretoria, and arrives at the mining town before noon. Visitors may then book a guided tour around the town, and are advised to visit the local mining museums, browse the Sunday flea market and stalls, and enjoy a light lunch at one of the many restaurants lining the main street, Oak Avenue.
The steam train is turned around and prepped to leave Cullinan Station at approximately 14h30.
Please note
Excursions leave from Hermanstad Station. Please be at the station in good time to board the train. Departures must be on time to conform to the requirements of South African Railways.
Friends of the Rail has a number of coach configurations and can carry up to 1 000 passengers. Private train bookings can be arranged through the organisation’s sales office. Contact details
Cost
The FOTR train ticket to Cullinan
Adults: R165
Pensioners: R140
Teenagers: R115
Children aged 7 to 12: R90
Children aged 2 to 6:R65 each
Children under 2:No charge
Train departs from Hermanstad Station
Directions from Johannesburg
Travellers should allow at least 45 minutes for the journey from the Buccleuch N1 / N3 Interchange, outside peak hours.
Head for the N1 to Pretoria. At the N1 / N14 Brakfontein interchange, continue straight through onto the N14 north towards the Pretoria City Centre.
As the N14 freeway ends, it becomes Potgieter St, passing the Correctional Services facility. Beware of permanent speed trap cameras on the Snake Valley Viaduct Bridge (120 km/h) and yet again at the end of the freeway under the bridge at the start of the 60 km/h zone. Get into the left-hand lane. Shortly after passing under the railway bridge on Potgieter St, you will pass the Post Office's Tshwane Mail Centre. Turn left into Visagie St, route M1, at the next traffic lights (robot). Move into one of the right-hand lanes.
Follow the M1 north signs, bearing right through the lights into DF Malan Drive. Follow DF Malan northwards, past the Market and past the Tshwane University of Technology (former Technikon Pta) offramps. Take the next offramp sharp left down into the R514, Van Der Hoff Rd immediately after the Waterberg Poort. Pass under the railway bridge on Van der Hoff St.
After about 300 metres, turn right at the next traffic lights into Bosch St, or if you miss it, turn right at the following intersection into Kruger St. Continue straight down either road until the end at Michaelson St. The FOTR depot is on the opposite side of this street alongside the marshalling yard.