RN 150 - The Weekly Steam Shed and Loco report - by Gert Jubileus - 11th

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News RN 150 - The Brigade Loco (Feldbahn) makes more steady progress 20th January 2006
SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY WAGON REPORT: Because of the Boiler Inspections this week, the progress on the wagon restorations was on a slower pace, though we managed to have 46 wagons in roadworthy condition to use on the longest train ever on the Sandstone Steam Railway. We took one of the Guards Vans and sanded it. Derrick spray painted the Van in Military colours. The inside of the Van was sprayed with Battle ship grey paint and new seats were fitted.



One of the DZ wagons was spray painted so it can be used on the Military train consists. This DZ also came into the shed for brake adjustment and was vacuum brake tested.


Bearings were fitted to all the B wagons and all the boxes were packed with oil and wool. All of them are roadworthy and only needs minor rectifications to the doors. They all will be shunted to the shunting yard in the Hoekfontein Station in next week to clear up space for the next wagons to be worked on. Here are some photos of this restoration.


Another four wagons were re-railed in this week. Two perfect DZ’s were re-railed and will come to the shed for restoration in the next week.

SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES AND BOILERS Eight boilers were inspected by the Boiler Inspector Willie Lottering this week. First we did the Internal Inspection and as we proceed Henry and Derrick started to close the boilers for the Hydraulic testing.

Here is Willie busy with the inspecting of the boilers:


The boilers then were hydraulic tested and steam tested. All passed the Boiler Inspection and were issued with a three year certificate. We also visited the 15F number 3052 in town to inspect the condition of the Boiler. Work on the boiler of this locomotive will commence in next week to get her Boiler Certificate to be used in April this year on David Shepard’s visit.


SANDSTONE IN STEAM AGAIN: This week we had two train tours on the Farm. The first one was the South African Police that held a Seminar. They started the Seminar early the morning and had lunch in the Waenhuis. They all then were spoiled with an exotic train ride to Grootdraai and back to Hoekfontein. Because we had to steam our Class NGG 16 number 113 for the Boiler Inspector, we used her to haul the 50 passengers.

After the train ride, they were taken on a tour through the Vintage and Steam Shed.

The second train tour was 60 Bikers from the Rabies’ Club who visited the Farm on Saturday.
The Wickham was used again to inspect the Railway line before the train departed and two volunteer line Inspectors inspected the line, but could not find a fault, except for some flowers that were out of line according to them.

We again steamed number 113 to haul the train. All the brass on 113 was cleaned to perfection and was ready in the Hoekfontein Station by 12H00.

Some posed for photos in front of 113 and some could not resist climbing into the cab of this beautiful Lady.



From left to right: Edrique Botha, Charl Meyer, Hannes v.d.Merwe.

THE SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY Goldfields Track, the Rail contractor for Sandstone Estates has started with severe upgrading work to the Railway line. They are busy with welding and grinding of all the batters on the line and will start with removing slacks on all the points as well as tamping work in the Hoekfontein Station. A third line will be laid in the Steam Shed to accommodate the fleet of restored locomotives. Below are the photos of the welding and grinding of the batters at Hoekfontein Station.

A full update and photos in next weeks report!

FROM THE PAST!

A Class 6 leaving Kimberley on the well-known “ Kimberley se Trein” organised by Steamnet 2000. Photo by: Judy Odell

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK:
1.) To re-rail all the wagons at the Coal shed 2.) To restore a 2 DZ’s and another 2 B wagons 3.) To load consists for Under the African Skies 4.) To start with repairs needed on Locomotives 5.) To Waterproof 3x 3’6” wagons in Hoekfontein Station 6.) To fit speed posts 7.) To wash out and prepare the 15F for B.I. 8.) To spray paint flat wagon in camouflage colours 9.) To spray paint a DZ in camouflage colours 10.) To shunt all wagons not to restore to the Station Storage line 11.) To spray Paint all Railway signs on the Line.
STEAM GREETINGS... GERT!!!

RN 150 - The Brigade Loco (Feldbahn) makes more steady progress