Born into a family of railway men on the 15^th of September 1978, I immediately acquired a passion for the railways and for steam.
This is not a story about my life, but rather a story of my passion for steam and my childhood dream that finally became a reality.

- The dream that became a reality - Shaun Ackerman drives the Reefsteamers' Class 25NC No.3472 'Elize' - hauling an empty rake of Shongololo Express coaches to the NASREC showgrounds on an early summer Sunday.

Click here to see some photos of Shaun Ackerman receiving his Driver's Diploma.
I have been a very active member of Reefsteamers for a few years now.  During this time I have been very involved and dedicated to the restoration and ongoing maintenance program on the locomotives.  When I finally became a qualified fireman, it really was a step closer to my dream coming true.  Experience and confidence was gained by working with people like Piet Steenkamp, Chris Saaiman and Louis le Roux, etc.  These gentlemen are also railway men, but with experience ranging from thirty five years or more on steam locomotives.  What more could I ask for!  I listened and clung on to their every word and watched their every move on the locomotives. 

What experience and incredible knowledge!

Some time went by, when I decided that I was ready to take on the driver’s course.  Piet Steenkamp assisted me with the necessary driver’s files and I started studying them in my spare time.  As daily pressures grew, I found it more and more difficult to find time to sit and study.  Work had interfered with what I loved doing the most - steam!  Coen Pretorius, who now heads the train personnel functional training programme for Spoornet, said he had made a booking for me to write my exam.  It was then that reality hit me.  I needed to start studying and soon.  Eventually the big day arrived.  I was quite nervous but tackled them with the notion that I would do well.  I wrote the exam with Philip Maurer (see separate story) who is not only a very good friend of mine but also one of the founding members of the two foot preservation trust.  After five hours of writing four separate exams, I finally completed them.  When Coen had completed the marking, I was astounded at how well I had done.

The four exams that we are required are; ‘The Locomotive’ of which I got 94%, ‘The Vacuum System’, of which I got 100%, ‘The General Rules’ of which I got 97% and the ‘Track Warrant System’ of which I got 100%.  I was really thrilled and proud of myself to have eventually written the exams for a steam locomotive driver and my dream had almost by now become a reality.

Shaun Ackerman where he definetly belongs ... in the cab of a steam locomotive.

On Sunday the 25^th of March 2007, Reefsteamers ran a trip to Warmbaths and we felt this was an ideal time to do our “first official time” on the 15CA No.2056 double-headed with the 25NC No.3472.  This was great, because both Philip and I had the opportunity of driving the 15CA officially on the mainline for the first time.  What an honour it was for us both!  Coen Pretorius did the assessment throughout the trip and he seemed very at ease with the whole exercise.  What a magic trip!  On arrival at Warmbaths, we uncoupled from the train and took the two locomotives through to Nylstroom where they would be turned and serviced.  After all the work had been completed Coen officially handed Philip and I our diplomas.

What a special moment it was for me to know that I had eventually become what I had always dreamed of - a steam locomotive driver!  I stand under correction but I think I am only the second private driver to have completed the driver’s course, but am without a doubt the youngest in South Africa.  If any one can verify that for me it would be great.

As always, none of this would have been possible without the support of my parents, Pat and Cathy Ackerman, Elize Lubbe, the chairman of Reefsteamers, all of the drivers at Reefsteamers and especially Coen Pretorius for his tremendous effort and guidance throughout this process.

Thanks to everyone at Reefsteamers, you are all very special people in my life and I really enjoy being part of this unique family!

- Shaun Ackerman - 2007 -
Click here to see some photos of Shaun Ackerman receiving his Driver's Diploma.