Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 146 - Sandstone Steam Locomotive Report - 16th - 27th January 2006 - By Gert Jubileus - Page one

17th January 2006

Weekly Activities

The Little Ratanga Locomotive

The little locomotive’s cab, smoke deflectors and cylinder cladding was spray painted. Henkie overhauled the safety valves, injectors and the blow down cork. The brass pipes and fittings were cleaned too. The restoration of this locomotive is postponed till after the Cosmos festival.
Here are some photos of the progress on this little locomotive:

THE 19D SPARES:
We are still busy with overhauling of the spares for the 19D in Bloemfontein. All the air clack valves and steam valves are faced and new rope is used to pack the packing nuts on the ejector. The ejector cones are cleaned as well. Here are some photos of the stripped ejector.

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BOILER INSPECTIONS:
The Boiler Inspector will be down at the farm next week from Tuesday to Friday to do all the inspections needed on seven boilers.

SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY WAGON REPORT

THE RATANGA WAGONS:
Both the Ratanga wagons received a complete under frame restoration. The first wagon was sanded and Petrus started with the second wagon. The restoration of these wagons will be postponed till after the Cosmos Festival. Here are photos of the progress on the wagons:

B WAGON RESTORATION:
Five B wagons were re-railed with our ten ton Fork lift and will undergo a complete under frame restoration. The wagons will remain in original rusty livery for the authentic look of it. The rest of the wagons will be lifted onto the rails in next week and will be stored in the new storage line in Hoekfontein Station where they will await restoration. Here are photos of these B wagons:

GUARDS VANS:
Two very old V-16 Guards vans were shunted out of the wagon shed. These two Vans immediately came to the put in the Steam shed for a complete under frame restoration. Petrus and Jacob stripped of both wagons braking gears. Jacob de-scaled the braking gears while Petrus was painting the de-scaled ones. Ben removed the vacuum cylinders and overhauled them completely. The braking gears will be fitted back and the brakes will be adjusted. The outside of these vans will undergo minor restoration and will be kept in original condition where possible. Ben started with the minor repair work to the wooden surfaces. The bearings were inspected and the boxes were packed with new wool soaked in oil.
Here are some photos of this restoration:

The first B wagon that was re-railed is next to go over the put for the under frame restoration. This B wagon is one that will be used with the old Guards vans. Here is a photo of this B wagon:

3’6” WAGONS FROM KOMMANDONEK
All three wagons were moved from Kommandonek to Hoekfontein. They were offloaded on the 3’6” storage line at the Waenhuis. Here are photos of moving of these wagons.

We lifted the back of the wagon first and removed the dolly wheels with the help of the 10 ton Fork lift.

The rear bogey was re-railed under the wagon and we slowly let the wagon down.

Arno reversed the Man with the wagon on the rear bogey to line up with the Coles Crane to lift the front of the wagon.

All three wagons were offloaded the same way and will now undergo minor restoration work.

THE COAL DUST EXTRACTOR:
Derrick built a steel floor for the Coal dust extractor and will fit it to the Coal dust extractor in next week.

THE BSA RAILCAR: Henkie started with the restoration on the BSA railcar. He made a new bonnet frame to accommodate the radiator of the railcar and once the frame is complete he will start with the bonnet and sides. Henry is the specialist in body repairs and started with the body work that is needed on the BSA. Here are photos of this restoration:




RAIL REPORT: Henry made speed posts that will be placed at certain places on the Railway line where speed restrictions are needed. He also made gradient posts that will indicate the ruling grade. All these will be finished in next week and will be mounted on tar poles.

SANDSTONE RIDES THE RAIL AGAIN: The Senior citizens from Fouriesburg visited Sandstone Estates last week. The Hunslet diesel locomotive was used for this special event. The train departed from Hoekfontein Station at 10H00 and arrived back from Grootdraai at 10H45.

On the return from Grootdraai, the passengers enjoyed a tea break in the Waenhuis and they were taken on a Farm tour there after. They really had a great time and loved to see the old vehicles in the Vintage Shed. Here is Ben (below), helping the passengers to get onto the train.



From the Past

A Class 19 D at Lorain Gold Mines in Allenridge 1993, now one of the Locomotives on the Sandstone stock list. The Goldfields used to be a steam arena in those years. A fleet of different classes of locomotives could be seen in operation, from the Class 3Br, 10, 11, 14Crb, 15Ca, 16Cr, 19B as well as the North British Tank locomotives. Faithful servants of the South African Railways became the faithful servants of all the Mines in Welkom.
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK:

1.) To restore 2 x V 16 Guards vans 2.) To restore 5 x B wagons ( under frames) 3.) To finish Britannia B wagon 4.) To load consists for Under the African Skies. 5.) To go on with the BSA 6.) To finish Extractor floor and fit it 7.) To re-rail B wagons at Coal shed and shunt them to the storage line. 8.) To finish and fit speed posts and gradients signs. 9.) To start with the maintenance program on all wagons. 10.) Weed spraying on the Railway line.

STEAM GREETINGS... GERT!!!