September marks Heritage Day and it is time to reflect on the more unusual and forgotten sites that are part of our society in our area but have been – probably in the rush of time – abandoned… first, we go to Glencoe…

There is nothing sadder than seeing a once grand old lady looking tired, rusty and trampled.  The fact that it was a Sunday afternoon added to the overall feeling of desperate depression.

The Glencoe Railway Station.  Once a buzzing hive of comings and goings – trains – passenger and goods – arriving, departing, shunting at what was once the second (or third?) junction in the country after Germiston.

One could almost imagine people trundling their suitcases on the footbridge that joins the parking lot to the middle island where the main station is located.  Army boys  with their trommels. Mums waving a tearful goodbye.

Families going away on school holiday trips.  People arriving.  Joyous reunions on the platform…

Now, the footbridge groans under one’s feet.  The rust is everywhere.  Vast lines of steel have also rusted away…. with piles of litter mounting up against the railway lines.  Even the once proud Glencoe station sign looks forlorn.

The other sign – announcing that Glencoe is also the junction to Piet Retief – is almost obliterated by rust.  Then to the offices… that once probably were full of people… these have been stripped – what was once a safe, hacked from the wall.

Doors stolen, windows gone.  A bit further down and yet another faded sign with the words Station Restaurant and Bar.  Peter Jones remembers ordering everything from a cup of coffee, to a three-course meal and even a Lion lager.  Now only the hot September berg wind disturbs the litter strewn around.

This huge complex would make a wonderful movie set.  Perhaps we should tell Anant Singh.   Amazingly, there is no security to be seen at the premises that have been left to rot.   Kaartjies asseblief…