L, I think the reason why us SA's find it sad, is because it kinda depicts our slow degradation in this country, the slow demise of our old school infrastructure. My childhood was spent commuting anywhere and everywhere by train...at the age of 10 I could, and did often, jump on a train, stok siel alleen, and go to the beach for the day ( in CT ). Also, as a child, going on holiday by train from CT to JHB and/or Durban was so exciting....and those days are looong gone. At least I'm grateful for having that childhood, it was good!