RN 122 - A short history on the Sandstone O & K - by Les Bray

Below is a copied photo from an original colour photo taken about 1955 at Vogelstruisbult Gold Mine christmas tree of O & K 4102 . This loco started out at West Rand Consolidated Mines about 1910 , was sold to Vogels in 1936 and was retired when the mine railway was reguaged to 3ft 6in.

The loco was apparently rebuilt about 1952 and was used at christmas time for various christmas tree's until the mine closed in1968, when it was transferred to West Driefontein Gold Mine. The loco was donated to Midmar Steam Railway in1990 where it operated until they closed down. It is now part of the Sandstone collection.

I inherited the original photo from my late parents. I donated the photo to Midmar as I was a member there . The photo was published in their bi-monthly magazine with a short article I wrote, from which we scanned it.

regards,

Les Bray

In about 1955 at Vogelstruisbult Gold Mine christmas tree of O & K 4102

The O & K at Sandstone today. Photograph by David Benn