The beaten track: Train series

Thu, 14 Aug, 2014.  Part 1

The beaten track: Then and now

A stiff breeze blows through the deserted waiting area, the unhinged doors providing an unhindered passageway for Mother Nature to sweep through the desecrated rooms. 

Thu, 28 Aug, 2014. Part 2

The beaten track: The Blaaukrantz tragedy

The date was Saturday 22 April 1911, and 56 passengers, including locals, students and families, were aboard the 10.20 from Port Alfred to Grahamstown.

Wed, 3 Sept, 2014. Part 3

The beaten track: Dr Marx and the love train

A few hundred metres from the Alicedale train station stands the Doctor’s House, home to the local medical practitioner since 1820.

COMMUNITY | MOTORING
Thu, 18 Sept, 2014. Part 4

The beaten track: History lessons and high jinks

History books tell of South African soldiers leaving Grahamstown by train, going to fight in World War I, and later World War II.

COMMUNITY | MOTORING
Wed, 24 Sep, 2014.  Part 5

The beaten track: It was really something special

The closure of the Grahamstown station was particularly heart-breaking for Hennie Ferreira, a former railway station operating inspector.

COMMUNITY | MOTORING
Fri, 3 Oct, 2014.  

The beaten track: Here today, gone tomorrow

While all these various issues are discussed, probed and further delayed, the station still stands, neglected, abandoned, a far cry from its former glory.

COMMUNITY | MOTORING  
Fri, 3 Oct, 2014

The beaten track: Why that old station mattered to me

As a young sport-loving journalist, I was born long after the booming time of rail transportation, and quite frankly, deserted buildings are not very high on my list of places to visit.