The annual Talana Live weekend will feature a march from Dundee Secondary to the Museum to remember the Miner’s March at the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War.  The event will feature re-enactments, a parade of vintage cars and more.

This year Boer and British soldiers will re-enact, for the first time, the battle of Adelaide. Despite the British victory at the Battle of Talana , one unit in particular the 18th Hussars did not have a good day.

Tasked to go around the rear of Talana and cut off the expectant Boer retreat, things went wrong from the start. They lost their way in the early morning mist, split their force and took  questionable decisions as to  where to place their troops.

As a result ,when the Boers did finally retreat there were too many for the British to stop, the Maxim gun was captured and Col. Moller decided to retire via the north of Mpati mountain to pick the railway and return to the British army camp in Dundee from the west.

However,  unbeknownst to the British, Mpati was occupied by a large commando of Boers who noticed the British force and attacked them, eventually driving them to take refuge at Adelaide Farm. After a sharp engagement, the Hussars were forced to surrender when their ammunition ran out and were all taken as prisoners of war.

If all that is too much for you, Andries of Lions River Railway will have his miniature steam train at Talana Live.

A wonderful trip for children “big and small”. He has built a special track that will be installed at the museum

As well as new special replica  coaches that were used to transport British soldiers during the Anglo Boer War.

You will be able to “ride the train” across the museum premises from “Dundee station” to “Glencoe Junction” where the station cafe will be selling muffins and tea.

Andries has also agreed to simulate derailing the train for the re-enactment in which Winston Churchill was captured.

On the Friday evening, experience riding the “Ghost Train” as the little train looms out of the darkness as it steams along the track through the museum.

And to add to the authentic feel enjoy a traditional bite to eat in the Boer, British or Voortrekker camps as you listen to characters from the past.