Die bou van die Suidwestelyn, 1895 - 1897, en die Nzasm-stasiegeboue op Krugersdorp en Klerksdorp.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die Nederlandsch Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatschappij (NZASM) is in 1887 gestig met die uitsluitlike doel om die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek per spoor met Delagoabaai te verbind. Weens verskeie probleme is daar egter eerste met bouwerk aan die Randtram tussen Springs en Krugersdorp voortgegaan. In 1893 het die Eerste Volksraad besluit om Krugersdorp per spoor met Klerksdorp te verbind, maar dit was uit die staanspoor duidelik dat hierdie spoorlyn nie winsgewend sou wees nie. As gevolg van die ontdekking van goud naby Klerksdorp en die beweerde "productieve kracht" van die distrik Potchefstroom, asook die wens om die ou Republikeinse hoofstad (Potchefstroom) by die Transvaalse spoorwegstelsel in te skakel, is nietemin met die aanleg van die Suidwestelyn voort. gegaan. Bouwerk het in Julie 1895 begin en op 3 Augustus 1897 is die Iyn vir verkeer oopgestel. Die ou NZASM-stasiegeboue op Krugersdorp en Klerksdorp bestaan vandag nag en, synde van die min spogstasiegeboue wat deur die NZASM opgerig is, behoort op grand van hul verbintenis met die Suidwestelyn bewaar te word.

• Summary: The Nederlandsch Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatschappij (NZASM) was established in 1887 with the exclusive purpose of linking the Transvaal Republic by rail with Delagoa Bay. Owing to a number of problems the construction of the so-called Randtram between Springs and Krugersdorp was tackled first. In 1893 the First Volksraad approved the railway between Krugersdorp and Klerksdorp, although it was clear right from the beginning that this line would not pay. However, after the discovery of gold near Klerksdorp and because of the alleged production potential of the Potchefstroom district and the desire to include the old Republican capital (Potchefstroom) in the Transvaal railway system, the construction of the Suidwestelyn (South-western line) went on. Construction had started during July 1895 and on 3 August 1897 the line was open for traffic. The old NZASM station buildings at Krugersdorp and Klerksdorp are still standing and, as they are two of the few elegant station buildings erected by the NZASM, should be preserved as symbols of the Suidwestelyn.