21-638: Bloemhoek Dam , is an earth-fill type dam located on a small river called Jordaan Spruit close to Kroonstad , Free State , province South Africa . It is part of the Vals River System. The Serfontein Dam, which is almost completely silted-up, releases water directly into the Vals River from where it is pumped into the Bloemhoek Dam, for supply to the urban area of Kroonstad. Its main purpose
42-645: A fatal crash with a goods train on 12 February 2020. A revised service was introduced from 27 November 2020, which due to Covid-19 restrictions limits seating capacity and passengers need to supply their own food, drinks, and bedding. As of October 2024 , Shosholoza Meyl only operates the following route: Shosholoza Meyl trains run on the Cape gauge ( 1,067 mm ( 3 ft 6 in )) Transnet mainline track. The trains are locomotive -pulled. Most routes are completely electrified 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC systems, usually class 6E1 or class 18E locomotives on
63-637: A train and it therefore means moving forward. "Meyl" is a word that is related to a South African word for "long distance train", according to the Spoornet/Shosholoza Meyl website. The company's name prior to change was "Mainline Passenger Services". In August 2010, Shosholoza Meyl suspended services claiming either contract difficulties (between Transnet and Prasa) or unreliable trains. Some services began to resume in November 2010. Shosholoza Meyl services were suspended by PRASA following
84-450: A tree on a grassy base, below a black locomotive and tender on a silver stripe across the top of the shield"). Originally, an imperial crown was placed above the shield, but it was replaced with a golden mural crown in the 1960s. The supporters were a black wildebeest and a blesbok , and the motto was Finis coronat opus . Kroonstad has two sister cities whose names are reminiscent of its own: Shosholoza Meyl Shosholoza Meyl
105-509: Is a division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) that operates long-distance ( intercity ) passenger rail services. It operates various train routes across South Africa, carrying approximately 4 million passengers annually. Before 2009, Shosholoza Meyl was a division of Spoornet , but it was transferred after the formation of PRASA. " Shosholoza " is the name of a popular South African song about workers on
126-899: Is an important agricultural service centre in the Free State with a predominantly agricultural-orientated economy served by a modern toll-road. This brings the PWV Region within two hours drive from Kroonstad as well as being accessible from the North West , Bloemfontein and the Eastern Free State . In July 2022 Kroonstad was announced as the winner in the Kwêla Dorp Van Die Jaar competition. The Bloemspruit Monument 27°40′18″S 27°12′23″E / 27.67167°S 27.20639°E / -27.67167; 27.20639 commemorates those who died in
147-507: Is for municipal and industrial use. Kroonstad Kroonstad ( Afrikaans directly translated "Crown City"), which consist of suburbs as follows: Brentpark, Constantia, Constantia Park, Dawid Malanville, Elandia, Gelukwaarts, Goedgedacht, Heuningspruit, Industria, Jordania, KoeKoeVillage, Kroonheuwel, Maokeng, Morewag, Noordhoek, Ou Dorp, Panorama, Phomalong, Presidensia, PrisonArea, Seisoville, Suidrand, Tuinhof, Uitsig, Vooruitsig, WestPark and Wilgenhof. Kroonstad
168-543: Is said to be one of the Free State's loveliest towns and lies on the banks of the Vals River , a tributary of the Vaal , roughly two hours' drive from Johannesburg. It is situated in an area characterised by open spaces and an abundant variety of vegetation that makes it particularly beautiful. Kroonstad is a quaint town that serves as a good stop over en route between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, lying as it does at virtually
189-638: Is the fourth largest town in the Free State (after Bloemfontein , Welkom and Bethlehem ) and lies two hours' drive on the N1 from Gauteng . It is the second-largest commercial and urban centre in the Northern Free State (after Welkom), and an important railway junction on the main line from Cape Town to Johannesburg . Kroonstad was established in 1855 by the Irish pioneer Joseph Orpen , and
210-772: The 3 kV system and class 7E on the 25 kV system. Diesel is used on the Johannesburg – Port Elizabeth trains between Bloemfontein and Noupoort , and on the Durban - Cape Town trains between Bloemfontein and Kimberley . Before 2002, the Pretoria – Cape Town trains were hauled by diesel locomotives between Kimberley and De Aar . The trains are made up of three types of coach : Since 1 July 2006 Shosholoza Meyl has operated its sleepers and sitters as separate trains. Starting from 1 November 2006 sleeping carriages were re-introduced on selected Economy Trains, this decision
231-587: The Kroonstad Concentration Camp, A Garden of Remembrance 27°39′05″S 27°14′19″E / 27.65139°S 27.23861°E / -27.65139; 27.23861 commemorates Allied soldiers fallen in the two World Wars. A blockhouse south of the city is a reminder of later stages of the Second Boer War . Stone corbelled huts, refuges for the prehistoric inhabitants of the region, occur in various locations about
SECTION 10
#1732786678396252-565: The Serfontein Dam. Horseriding, gliding and hiking trails are also available. Kroonstad lies directly on the N1 , which bypasses the town centre to the east (to Johannesburg in the north and Bloemfontein in the south). Other regional roads in the town are the R34 to Odendaalsrus in the south-west and Heilbron in the east, the R76 to Steynsrus in the south-east and Viljoenskroon in
273-582: The banks of the willow -lined Vals River (Valsrivier) are frequented by anglers and watersport enthusiasts. Leisure opportunities are plentiful in Kroonstad, where visitors can enjoy golf on the 18-hole course in the town, lion tours and interaction with lion and tiger cubs at the Boskoppie Lion and Tiger Park, fishing in the well stocked Vals River or on the Bloemhoek Dam , and boating on
294-551: The city became the capital of the Orange Free State , and subsequently the site of a concentration camp to contain Boer women and children. The main industry of Kroonstad is agriculture . It is the centre of a rich agricultural district, producing maize, wheat, dairy and meat products and wool. The Bloemhoek Dam lies just east of the town and supplies much of its water needs. A caravan park and many more camp sites on
315-697: The city. In addition, fossils and San rock art are present in the region. By 1931, the Kroonstad municipal council had assumed a coat of arms . It was registered with the Orange Free State Provincial Administration in February 1967 and at the Bureau of Heraldry in April 1971. The arms were: Or, a tree on an island proper; on a chief Argent fimbriated Azure, a locomotive and tender Sable ("a golden shield displaying
336-481: The halfway mark. Kroonstad offers an array of activities that include flea markets , a tea garden, fishing on the Vals River or at the Bloemhoek Dam, walking trails and lion tours and lion and tiger interaction at Boskoppie Lion and Tiger park. Today, as an important administrative, agricultural and educational centre, Kroonstad still boasts much of the inherent rugged beauty which led the Voortrekkers to establish
357-506: The north-west, the R721 to Vredefort in the north-west and the R82 to Sasolburg in the north-east. Kroonstad Railway Station serves the town and is located on the important railway junction from Cape Town to Johannesburg via Bloemfontein . On 4 January 2018, a passenger train, operated by Shosholoza Meyl , collided with a truck on a level crossing near Kroonstad/Hennenman. The train
378-584: The town where they did. Sporting facilities of all kinds are well catered for, notably for jukskei , an Afrikaner folk sport. The headquarters of the SA Jukskei Council has been established here since 1951. The city is rich in historical sights; several historic buildings and statues, a former concentration camp, the Sarel Cilliers Museum (although currently inactive) and other places of national interest can be found here. Kroonstad
399-439: Was derailed, and at least one of the carriages caught fire. Twenty people were killed and 260 were injured. Kroonstad is served by a small airport with no passenger flights. Shopping in Kroonstad is characterised by typical high street shopping. The development of the new Kroonstad Water Front Mall is underway, Maokeng Mall, Panorama Plaza, Checkers Centre, Shoprite Centre, Ultra City Centre and Pick'n'Pay centre. Kroonstad
420-479: Was however reversed shortly thereafter. Now the Economy Trains convey 'Sitter' carriages only. On 4 January 2018, a passenger train operated by Shosholoza Meyl collided with a truck on a level crossing near Kroonstad . The train was derailed and at least one of the carriages caught fire. Twenty one people were killed and 254 were injured. On 12 February 2020, another Shosholoza Meyl train collided with
441-437: Was the first founded after the independence of the Orange Free State . While Kroon means "crown", this was in fact the name of a horse that had drowned in the nearby ford . A lover of animals, Orpen had witnessed the incident, and named the infant settlement in honour of the unfortunate creature. Similarly, the ford in question came to be known as Kroondrift . During the Second Boer War , from 13 March to 11 May 1900,
SECTION 20
#1732786678396#395604