Raathsvlei siding, on the Potchefstroom - Houtheuwel link line in southern Gauteng, is often used as a staging point for eastbound manganese trains, running from the Northern Cape mines to Cato Ridge in kwaZulu-Natal. On a cold and clear late winter morning, five class 18E's are staged in the loop with one of these trains, waiting for a fresh crew to continue the journey through to Cato Ridge. The building on the right is the original goods shed, while the yard area is used to store track ballast and concrete sleepers.
