In 1974 my wife and I took the overnight train from Pretoria to Cape Town, ( did we go through De Aar? ). Wonderful journey. So sad to read of all these changes to what should be a wonderful country. So much promise, and such disappointment. So very sad.
I almost overslept through my train's arrival in Cologne after an overnight journey from Prague. When I awoke, after all the other passengers had left, I saw the conductor come into my compartment, and I hastily gathered all my belongings, out of fear of having them tossed out the window after having seen the end of this railway journey!