| Rail week at Sandstone | |
|
This week saw a very busy week on the Railway line. The Hunslet diesel locomotive was used to pull a short “material” train on the narrow gauge line. The train consist of one DZ and the Mobile Workshop with the Guards van and one B wagon also loaded with signboards. We started down at Grootdraai and proceed all along to Vailima Halt. All the stations received Station name boards; warning boards from both directions as well as whistle boards at all the level crossings down the Railway line. Chains were welded onto the points to enable us to lock all points for the mainline. While we were busy with all these, Jemina cleaned the weeds in the Stations. The line cleanup is not finished yet, and Jemina will proceed with the cleaning of the line in next week.
Below are some photos of the activities this week: |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| While we were busy with this, Des and Henry sprayed the Railway line with the Wickham Railcar. They completely sprayed the line twice this week. | |
 |
|
| This week also did have its problems, but with a workshop so well equipped, nothing can’t be fixed. The Wickham railcar experienced some problems and we had to use the little Funky diesel locomotive to complete the weed spraying on the railway line. Below is a rare photo of the Hunslet and the Funky where they met each other on the new extension from Vailima Halt to Pandora junction. It is interesting to know that this was the last railway sign board that was planted as well as the weed spraying was complete over the entire line just where the Funky has stopped behind the Hunslet. | |
 |
|
| Below left is a photo of Driver Arno Serfontein behind the controls of the Hunslet Diesel Locomotive | |
| The only thing left now is to restore the Semaphore signals and to erect them at all the Stations. THE HUNSLET DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE: The Hunslet Diesel locomotive was serviced this week. The oil was changed as well. Below right: Ben and Jacob busy with draining of the oil from the Hunslet. |
|
 |
 |
|
Wagon Restoration
|
|
| B- Wagons 1629, 2436, 1812. These wagons were brought to the put this week and brake blocks were fitted. The brakes were adjusted and needs to be stencilled next. It could be that this B wagons will be three of the six to be modified to FZ type of wagons to haul corn. Derrick will be working on the modifications on the B wagons. |
|
|
General & Other Restorations
|
|
| THE WICKHAM RAIL CAR Des stripped of the rear wheels of the Wickham to enable him to strip the gearbox on the Wickham. The problem was dealt with and the Wickham will be back in service by Monday night. |
|
 |
|
| BAGGAGE TROLLEY Jacob finished the second baggage trolley and both restored trolleys are on display inside the shed. He started with the third baggage trolley and will finish it by next Monday. |
|
 |
|
|
THE BIG CENTRIFUGAL WASH OUT PUMP
Derrick mounted the big centrifugal wash out pump outside the shed. New 4” water inlet pipes were fitted and connected to the big black water tank wagon. He is almost finished with the pump house to protect the pump from the rain. |
|
 |
 |
| SHUNTING: All the small locomotives were shunted on one line inside the shed, while all the big locomotives are now on their own line inside. |
|
 |
|
|
From the past
|
|
 |
|
| Class 6 number 439 on Winburg platform in May 1979. Rovos Rail is the proud owner of this magnificent locomotive. There use to be a Station Master with the surname Kruger. He always kept her in a very neat and clean condition and never allowed any one to even touch the locomotive. This is where my life started on the Railway. I use to sit beside the locomotive, waiting for the daily mix train pulled by a 19D from Theunissen. |
|
|
Planning for next week
|
|
| 1.) To build 5 x 10m Rail panels 2.) To move three wagons from Kommandoneck to Hoekfontein. 3.) To finish the centrifugal pump house 4.) To finish Wickham 5.) To finish three B wagons complete 6.) To clean up Railway line 7.) To finish third baggage trolley 8.) To move Semaphore signal and start to refurbish 9.) To go on with the BSA Railcar 10.) To go on with the Britannia wagon 11.) To re-rail two B wagons for restoration. 12.) Refurbish Douglas locomotive. Greetings Gert |
|
Hits: 2006