Historic showdown between Woolf Barnato’s Speed Six Bentley and Le Train Bleu in 1930 on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen
The Great Train Race returned to Heidelburg railway station in Gauteng for it’s 10th year.
This year the event coincides with Heritage Month and features the dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between Woolf Barnato’s Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu.
Living piece of history
More than 100 vintage cars, motorcycles, aircraft and a majestic steam locomotive took the centre stage.
“The Great Train Race is about more than machines — it’s about keeping history alive for the next generation,” says event founder and historian Christopher Van.
“Every collector plays a part in preserving a piece of our motoring heritage.”
Pictures: Great Train Race
Molefe Seth Phalatse, owner of a Chevy Impala SS, at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenVintage cars on display at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenCyril Muniappen pauses for a photograph next to his vintage car, an Austin1912. at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenPink Cadillac Coupe DeVille at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenMaggie Coelho next to a Pink Cadillac Coupe DeVille at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenPink Cadillac Coupe DeVille at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenAlexis Ramon ( R) pose for a photograph in his 1945 Willys MB Jeep with his daughter Maelisse Ramon at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenInside a 1945 Willys MB Jeep at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenInside a 1945 Willys MB Jeep at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenVintage cars on display at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1939 Talbot London on display at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1939 Talbot London on display at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1933 Bugatti at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1933 Bugatti at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenMichaela Bussey pose for a photograph next to a 1933 Bugatti at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenVisitors wait for the arrival of the Rovos Rail train at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenThe Spirit of Ecstasy Sculpture is a bonnet mascot of the Rolls-Royce cars. Pictured at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenGerald Burrell adjusts the position of the spirit of Ecstacy on his Rolls-Royce at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenSide light of a Rolls-Royce at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenRolls-Royce at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenRolls-Royce at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenFormer SAA mechanic, Peter Kik runs the 1938 Rolls-Royce Griffon 37-liter V12 engine which was developed for naval aircraft at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenAndreza Ferreira pose for a photograph next to the 1938 Rolls-Royce Griffon 37-liter V12 engine which was developed for naval aircraft at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenAircrafts fly over vintage cars at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenAircrafts fly over vintage cars at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenAircrafts fly over vintage cars at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenJurjen Kamstra pose for a photograph next to his 1909 Reliable Dayton at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenCommunity takes pictures of the Rovos Rail train on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenHistoric showdown between Woolf Barnato’s Speed Six Bentley and Le Train Bleu in 1930 on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenHistoric showdown between Woolf Barnato’s Speed Six Bentley and Le Train Bleu in 1930 on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenHistoric showdown between Woolf Barnato’s Speed Six Bentley and Le Train Bleu in 1930 on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenJurjen Kamstra pose for a photograph next to Ravos Rail Train at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen pose for a photograph next to his 1909 Reliable Dayton at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenJim Cope in his Bugati1933 at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenJurjen Kamstra at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenStatsiemeeter and Founder of The Great Train Race, Christopher Van (L), Motul General Manager for Sourthern and Eastern Africa, Mercia Jansen, Director of The great train Race and and co founder of Paysure Brokers, Yugandhar Prasad and Director of The great train Race and and co owner of Paysure Brokers, Anirudh Kediyal pose for a photograph inside the Ravos Rail on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenStatsiemeeter and Founder of The Great Train Race, Christopher Van pose for a photograph next to the Ravos Rail on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenRavos Rail employee, Bianka van niekerk takes down the exhibition after the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenSouth African Afrikaans pop artist Bernice West performs at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenSouth African Afrikaans pop artist Bernice West performs at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenRovos Rail train on its 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1928 Bently at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1928 Bently at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen1928 Bently at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenMotoring journalist, presenter, and media personality, Marius Roberts takes a picture of 1939 Austin 12 at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenKevin Selby rides Ural 30 with Berties (dog) in a side tank Bester at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenPink Cadillac Coupe DeVille at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenInside Chevrolet Impala SS at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenInside Chevrolet Impala SS at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025. As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenPink Cadillac Coupe DeVille at the 10th annual edition of The Great Train Race in Heidelberg Heritage Station, Gauteng, 27 September 2025.As part of celebrations of South African heritage, classic engineering, and community spirit with performances, displays, and a dramatic re-enactment of the legendary 1930 race between a Bentley Speed Six and Le Train Bleu. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen
