The Sandstone Heritage Trust has struggled long and hard to save what we can of South Africa's Narrow Gauge heritage. However, never in a million years would we have expected the authorities to have scrapped the magnificent railway line that runs from Port Shepstone to Harding.
Of course the writing has been on the wall for years. The facilities for a variety of reasons went to rack and ruin and vandals have been helping themselves to steel for years. In fact, by the time this auction takes place there may not be that much left to auction.
It is surprising that the Natal Tourism authorities, through the KwaZulu-Natal Government, did not show more interest in this line. Hopefully the loss of one of the greatest and longest narrow gauge lines in the world will remain on their conscience for many years to come.
Port Shepstone to Harding Line to be Scrapped
Posted by: "Johan van Veenendaal"
Mon Mar 5, 2007 1:41 am (PST)
Subject: Port Shepstone to Harding Line to be Scrapped
It would seem that we have lost the fight.
Apparently Aucor has been given a contract by Spoornet Disposals
Department to sell all the assets on the Port Shepstone to Harding Line -
rail, sleepers, the lot.
Please advise whether or not you have any information to the contrary. Do
we just give up now?
You may well be right. Aucor have been given a contract by Spoornet
through their Disposals Department, whatever that is, to sell all the
assets on the Port Shepstone to Harding Line - rail, sleepers, the lot -
so I think that you are spot on with your observations.
