I had an idea
The idea needed research
The research needed a ride
The ride needed a buddy
The buddy needed to be patient, laid back, and not in a hurry because I knew there would be a lot of messing about, U-turns, and trying to work out where in Gauteng and the North West we were.
So yesterday afternoon I gave Leon[dude] a ring and asked him if he felt like some exploratory riding, and if he had some petrol and time to kill. He was game for some new roads so the plan was made.
So whatâ??s the idea?
Once a month the Magaliesburg Express steams from Krugersdorp Station (or diesels from JHB station) to the Magaliesburg Hotel, where the passengers get off, have lunch, and then re-board and return.
My idea is that we would make a social event of it that involves family, children, spouses or significant spouse equivalents. We would see them onto the train and then leapfrog them on the journey, with us riding as close a route to the railway track as possible. We would then join them for lunch and then repeat the process on the return leg. Sort of train spotting, but with our people on the train.
So I wanted to see if I could find a route along the railway line from Krugersdorp Station to Magaliesburg. I did a bit of plotting with Google Earth and Mapsource and loaded waypoints of each place where a road crossed the track, the idea being that if we could not find a route along the line we would take roads to the next waypoint and try from there.
We succeeded, but not fully. From the Krugersdorp side we hit a few dead-ends, and it took us about 6Kms to get onto â??trackâ? and approaching Magalies we had to take tar from Orient for the last 5Kms. Along the way there were quite a few dead-ends.
Even if we never go train spotting, I think this is quite a nice way out to Magalies. The first bit is through old mining areas, and from there it is through the open fields to Magailies. There are quite a few â??cultural villagesâ? and informal settlements that you have to ride through, but apart from Leon being molested by a large dog, we encountered nothing other than astonishment or friendliness.
So I think we have a workable route as follows with all the u-turns edited out.
One of our dead ends near the start. Had to turn back.
Along the way on the West Rand Consolidated property we found this old shunting yard full of old steam and diesel locos. We chatted up the lady at the gate who let us in for a look â?? amazing and like being in a time warp/
This poor old loco ran out of steam a long time ago
Another spot where we found this old loco
A small but pretty dam near an informal settlement near Tarlton
Near Orient Hills just beyond the Tarlton Raceway.
End of the road for us â?? the road ended in this cutting,
From there to Wickers (where the Italian lady I fell in love with a while ago was NOT there ) and then home via van Gaalenâ??s Cheese Factory.
The idea needed research
The research needed a ride
The ride needed a buddy
The buddy needed to be patient, laid back, and not in a hurry because I knew there would be a lot of messing about, U-turns, and trying to work out where in Gauteng and the North West we were.
So yesterday afternoon I gave Leon[dude] a ring and asked him if he felt like some exploratory riding, and if he had some petrol and time to kill. He was game for some new roads so the plan was made.
So whatâ??s the idea?
Once a month the Magaliesburg Express steams from Krugersdorp Station (or diesels from JHB station) to the Magaliesburg Hotel, where the passengers get off, have lunch, and then re-board and return.
My idea is that we would make a social event of it that involves family, children, spouses or significant spouse equivalents. We would see them onto the train and then leapfrog them on the journey, with us riding as close a route to the railway track as possible. We would then join them for lunch and then repeat the process on the return leg. Sort of train spotting, but with our people on the train.
So I wanted to see if I could find a route along the railway line from Krugersdorp Station to Magaliesburg. I did a bit of plotting with Google Earth and Mapsource and loaded waypoints of each place where a road crossed the track, the idea being that if we could not find a route along the line we would take roads to the next waypoint and try from there.
We succeeded, but not fully. From the Krugersdorp side we hit a few dead-ends, and it took us about 6Kms to get onto â??trackâ? and approaching Magalies we had to take tar from Orient for the last 5Kms. Along the way there were quite a few dead-ends.
Even if we never go train spotting, I think this is quite a nice way out to Magalies. The first bit is through old mining areas, and from there it is through the open fields to Magailies. There are quite a few â??cultural villagesâ? and informal settlements that you have to ride through, but apart from Leon being molested by a large dog, we encountered nothing other than astonishment or friendliness.
So I think we have a workable route as follows with all the u-turns edited out.
One of our dead ends near the start. Had to turn back.
Along the way on the West Rand Consolidated property we found this old shunting yard full of old steam and diesel locos. We chatted up the lady at the gate who let us in for a look â?? amazing and like being in a time warp/
This poor old loco ran out of steam a long time ago
Another spot where we found this old loco
A small but pretty dam near an informal settlement near Tarlton
Near Orient Hills just beyond the Tarlton Raceway.
End of the road for us â?? the road ended in this cutting,
From there to Wickers (where the Italian lady I fell in love with a while ago was NOT there ) and then home via van Gaalenâ??s Cheese Factory.
