About Fauresmith's Street Train

What would the town of Tula Homa, Tennessee, USA and Wycheproof, Victoria, Australia have in common with Fauresmith, Free State, South Africa? A phenomenon. These three towns are the only places in the world's history that have ever had the phenomenon of a railway line running along their main street and the only places in the world today that still pay a tribute to this bygone rail exception. The train no longer operates along thee lines but there is a preserved loco which is worth the visit.

This 'dorpie' (diminutive term for local town) is the second oldest town in the Free State province yet still has a village ambience. Named after Rev Phillip Faure and Sir Harry Smith its little known existence, 130km South West of Bloemfontein, is largely due to the historic absence of two House of Assembly votes that saw Bloemfontein become the capital of the region over this town that has a train running through it.

The steep main street climb used to have the locomotive travelling at a pace slow enough to walk besides and consequently only had one victim of causality, a rooster. The linear locomotive track clanked with railway activity until 1999 where a pristinely maintained steam locomotive (built in 1903 by North British Locomotive Company) was mounted dead in its tracks as a monument to this nostalgic transportation. The need for working steam trains had diminished and the line between Springfontein and Koffiefontein was closed down. Much negotiation by the old Town Council and the South African Railways resulted in the donation of this original steam train to the town of Fauresmith where it now stands welded to its original tracks in tribute to its train transit contribution.

The desire of the local Werda school rugby team to take the locomotive on its final trip if they won the district tournament was honoured when the team's achievement was secured with the blowing of the game's final whistle. Mr. Moos Visser's truck towed the train off its tracks taking a victory lap along the main street for one last time.

The polished black beauty with a yellow front bar now (SAR Class 8BW No. 1153 wheel type 4-8-0 ) rests her steam pipe under the mains streets lamp poles which contrast the parallel railway tracks aground by mirroring parallel electric wires aloft. Follow the train tracks through the main tree lined street of the town balancing fearlessly on the rails one foot in front of the other safe in the knowledge that there is no risk of an oncoming train. Although putting an ear to the tracks will no longer pick up a train echo one can imagine the steam rising from the locomotive now stationed permanently in the town square.

Need to Know

WhereFauresmith Town Square, Main Street, Fauresmith, Free State.

WhenDaylight hours for best visibility.

How muchFree

OvernightStay nearby in Fauresmith, in Free State

Disclaimer

Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.

Need an Update?

Send us feedback if this is your service/activity. Please let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies.
Note, we do not have additional information or rates. Please don't contact us, rather use the service provider's contact details provided.

Find Fauresmith's Street Train in these collections

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity

* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.

Other things to do in the area

Noteworthy attractions

Accommodation convenient to Fauresmith's Street Train

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Free State Accommodation / Xhariep Region Accommodation / Fauresmith Accommodation

Fauresmith as a destination

Want to stay overnight?

Dates

When would you like to stay?
Choose dates

Number of Guests

Why book with SA-Venues.com
  • Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
  • No airy fairy service fees; you save!
  • We care. Service with integrity.
  • Multiple payment methods:
    credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer.
  • All Fauresmith property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
  • Secure your booking
Our Payment Protection Guarantee only applies if your deposit payment is made via SA-Venues.com
Things To Do
Destination Fauresmith
  • By type in Fauresmith
South Africa. Explore. Experience. Stay

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.