Cherriots of Fire

The train to the Ficksburg Cherry Festival was hauled by Reefsteamer's flagship, 25NC No. 3472 double headed with 15F No. 3016. The locos performed flawlessly and attracted the attention of many bystanders and motorists during the event.

The chilly mornings made for a spectacular show of condensing steam, especially on the steep grade out of Bethlehem. By the time the sun was up, all the passengers marvelled at the spectacular scenery but unfortunately the ideal conditions were not to last. Within hours the heavens opened, turning the railway track and festival grounds into a mud pit.

The next day Reefsteamers ran three trips to offer others at the festival the opportunity of experiencing steam travel from a bygone era. That evening the crews prepared the locomotives for the return trip, hoping to make an early start. The trains pulled out of Ficksburg just after 5AM. With the sun just piercing over the horizon and through the golden sandstone cliffs, one could not stop wondering if this was a steam paradise on earth.