Reefsteamers at Krugersdorp 23 June 2018

By Ian Morrison0

It all began in 2015 at a fly-in near Balfour when Ian Morison (Reefsteamers) and Courtney Watson (Krugersdorp Flying Club) discussed the possibility of flying a vintage aircraft over a steam hauled passenger train from Krugersdorp to Magaliesburg.



The scene was set. In mid-June 2015 a single blue & yellow Tiger Moth registration ZS-UKW owned by the Watson family and flown by Courtney Watson buzzed the Reefsteamers train on route to Magalies between Battery and just past Orient! Train passengers were delighted as were members of the public watching from the road side.



The rest is history and successful events with Reefsteamers, Krugersdorp Flying Club and Vintage & Veteran Car Club with hundreds of excited members of the public took place in 2016 and 2017.



The biggest event to date took place on Saturday 23rd June 2018 under perfect, although a little chilly, weather conditions. Planning and coordination started many months prior with social media providing a useful medium to get the word out.





The Reefsteamers train hauled by a double header (15F 3046 and 12AR 15AR) was joined by over 10 vintage planes overhead and over 20 vintage cars on the R24. A good time was had by all and photographers rushed about for that one special image.



Pilots stopped at Orient airfield for refreshments while vintage cars congregated near the R24/R400 crossing along with hundreds of excited on-lookers, patiently waiting for the train to arrive so they could depart alongside the train.



Magalies has never before seen a traffic jam as happened as the train crossed the road-rail crossing into the town. Train passengers enjoyed a picnic at Sleepy River while vintage car drivers went onto Mount Grace.





Safety was paramount for pilots flying various aircraft (with different speed and handling capabilities) which included several Tiger Moth's, several Navion's, a Stearman, Fournier, Piper Super Cub, Flybaby, and Piper Cruiser,





The event has become one not to be missed so watch out for 2019 event details!

Events 2018







Copyright © Pilot's Post PTY Ltd
The information, views and opinions by the authors contributing to Pilot's Post are not necessarily those of the editor or other writers at Pilot's Post.