Chapter 7 Jimmy and the caboose

Train crews that travelled together for long periods were very innovative in order to pass the time. Many times on still periods trains were late during the night.

Whilst stationed at Rutenga during the building of the rail link to Beit Bridge I contacted the train by radio asking them where they were.

“We are having a bit of loco trouble but should be there in about half an hour” said Jimmy.

Half an hour passed and I heard the whistle and let the train into the station.

“Want some Kudu meat? Jimmy shouted as they came past me.

“Thanks” I replied.
The train had stopped and with a point 22 rifle they shot a Kudu next to the track.

The whole crew being 2 drivers, 2 firemen, 2 guards and 2 cooks got out, pulled the Kudu to the door of the caboose and hooked the legs with a winch and winched it into the dining room of the caboose.

The winch clipped onto the door frame of the caboose and the cable was attached to the winch with a hook on the front, this was reeled in with a pulley and a ratchet.

They had stopped, shot, loaded, gutted the Kudu and cut it up and also cleaned the caboose within 20 minutes. That is what I call ingenuity.

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Chapter 13 The brave “Dutchman”

Whilst building the Rutenga, Beit bridge rail link, we worked 12-hour shifts. After a day shift we would shower, get dressed and visit the local hotel, the Lion and Elephant, which was 60 miles from Rutenga.

As you had to get up early every morning to go on shift, drinking time was limited so you got in all you could in a short time.

Playing 7, 14,21 in the pub took too long so we changed it to 5, 10, 15. The person throwing the 5^th Ace would nominate the drink, which ranged from Whisky, Rum, Contrau, Gin and whatever, the person throwing the 10^th Ace would have to pay and the one who was lucky to throw the 15^th would have to drink everything in one glass in one throw.

This way you got smashed (drunk) quite quickly.

Driving back to Rutenga one night we saw the reflection of some animal eyes in the light of the car and decided to chase it. Much fun was had by trying to catch these animals, which ranged from warthog to small buck. At one stage we saw some eyes on the other side of the fence and I stopped the car with the lights shining on the “buck”.

Jumping out with the only weapon we had in the car, a small axe, I ran to the fence, leaped over it and was walking towards the “buck”.

As I drew closer I noticed that the “buck” was not running away but crouching and looking me straight in the eye. Yes you guessed it, it was a lioness and she was watching me with a beady eye.

Till today I cannot recall how I got over the fence but my mates said I did it backwards.

“Dutch courage!

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Chapter 25 Star pistol

Whilst stationed at Rutenga, I wore my pistol to work at night during the terrorist war. It was a Star 9mm pistol.
 

One night I was on my way to hand paper orders to a driver and guard when the driver asked me about my pistol.
 

I showed him the pistol and removed the magazine from the gun to show him that it would not fire if the magazine was out. With the magazine in my left hand I pulled the trigger and a shot went off with the bullet hitting my left hand. Luckily the driver was standing on my right so he was safe.

Here I was with a hole in my hand but very little blood. I walked to the office and called the stationmaster to ask him to come and cover my shift while I received medical attention.
 

The only doctor was 90 miles away but there was a forward airfield nearby with a doctor and medics. Someone took me to the medical tent in a vehicle where the doctor injected me with a painkiller and cut away the burnt flesh. I spent the night in the medical tent and was taken to Fort Victoria the next day to see my doctor.
 

The pistol was checked for faults but it was ascertained that it could not be fired without the magazine being in place.
 

The devil had a say in that nights happenings.

 

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