Trudie steams into club’s history as first woman train driver
As a young girl growing up in Mtubatuba, Trudie Brits, had an interest in steam locomotives - and the sound of the train whistle was music to her ears.
Years later, she still has a love for trains, and has been learning to drive steam locomotives at the Durban Society of Model Engineers (DSME) in Virginia. She got her train licence this month, making her the first female driver in the DSME’s 110-year existence.
Ms Britz, 56, now lives in Durban with her husband Jaco and their sons Steven and Billie - both automotive engineers. She is the administrator of the family-run refrigeration, air-conditioning and electrical solutions business.
“During my early childhood in the 1970s, my siblings and I used to catch rides on the resident steam locomotives between Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba. As a child, then six or seven years old, I used to run on the platforms at the rail way station.
“I enjoyed watching the trains and getting the attention of the train drivers to blow the train whistle for me,” said Ms Brits. “I clearly remember the train whistle; as it got closer it got louder – it was music to my ears.
“We would see the giant locomotive slowly appearing from the thick morning mist. The steam blowing out at the top of the chimney in one massive cloud and the sound of the train whistle ringing along with it - it was awesome.”
While she loves trains, she never imagined driving one, until her husband took her along to the DSME on Sundays so he could learn more about the steam locomotives.
She got an opportunity to learn more about trains and decided then she wanted to learn to drive them. She has two instructors, Alf Farr and Errol Koch, and with their guidance she got her licence on June 11.
“I’m fascinated how a tiny locomotive model train can pull a full load of children and adults around the track easily.
“I have always had an interest in engineering but I never formally studied it,” she said. “I am enjoying driving these trains and the experience is beyond words. It takes me back to my childhood and it brings enjoyment to the people riding along with me.
“Unlike driving a car, the train runs on the track, there’s no traffic. It’s far more enjoyable than driving a car on the busy roads.”
Ms Britz said she would love to get young people involved in model trains and the engineering of how they work.
Mr Farr, the vice president of DSME, said Ms Brits had shown a keen interest in trains and had made great progress in a short space of time.
“It’s wonderful to see women showing an interest in driving locomotives,” said Mr Farr. “I do hope Trudie’s progress encourages other young women to do the same.”
