RN 261 - Weekly steamshed report - 2nd - 9th October 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

9th October 2006

The Lawley steamed again


This week we shunted out the oldest locomotive in our collection to haul a short Passenger train from Hoekfontein Station to Grootdraai. She might be hundred and eleven years old, but she sure looks just as lovely as when she was new. She was steamed for a visit from Tony Leon from the DA. Another special guest on the train was Mr. Mole. Before any train trip, the Locomotive and the coaches are shunted to the inspection put where they can easily be inspected. We had to replace some brake blocks on the passenger coaches and the brakes were adjusted. Derrick prepared the Lawley and filled the boiler. Below left: The Lawley being inspected. Below right: The coaches on the inspection pit.


Early on Wednesday we light the fire of the Lawley and by 07H30 she was already in steam. The coaches were coupled and the necessary vacuum tests were carried out. Below are some photos to share of this day.




Below: A Photo of Tony Leon (front left) who visited many farms on the Lesotho border on this day.


SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
After the train trip, the Lawley was stabled and polished again.


CLASS NGG 16 NUMBER 153
This week we did the necessary repair work to the pivot of this locomotive. All the stripped bolts were removed and the holes were tapped before new bolts were fitted. The wedge was adjusted to the correct diameter for the pin. A new rope was cut and placed around the bottom center to keep the oil in and the dust out.




The rear unit was then pushed back underneath the boiler and we started fitting back all the pipes that must be coupled between the main frame and the rear unit. Below: Derrick busy fitting the steam pipes back under the locomotive.

In Next week number 153 will be shunted to the put to fit the steam pipes that can only be accessed from underneath. Once this is done, we shall fit the bunker back onto the rear unit. THE RATANGA LOCOMOTIVE: This week Henry de-scaled the complete frame of this little locomotive. In next week, he will spray the frame and the driver wheels of the locomotive. He then will start fitting back the rest of the spares that were repaired some months ago. Below: Henry sanding of the front buffer beam.

Below right: The wheels are now ready to be spray-painted.


SANDSTONE WAGONS:
We offloaded all nineteen wagons that were loaded with train spares. All the wheels and spares were offloaded at a central place from where they will be sorted and moved to different locations. The Funkey Diesel locomotive worked hard this week and was used to shunt down two wagons at a time to where we could offload the wagons. Below are photos of this operation.

The ten-ton Hyster was used to lift the heavy 3’6” wheels and steam chests out of the wagons.

Below: The Funkey slowly roared through Hoekfontein station with two loaded wagons.



XC Number 2227 This week Oupa painted the X-C wagon completely. This wagon will undergo a under frame restoration in next week and a new vacuum steel pipe will be fitted.


THE A-Y Ben spray-painted the A-Y this week with Red Oxide to prevent it from rusting till we have the chance to finish the restoration of it.

WAGONS FROM PORT SHEPSTONE: We offloaded the coach that came from Port Shepstone early on Monday morning. Below is a photo taken of this coach.





Since September 2004 till the end of September 2006 the Sandstone Steam Railway:
Wagons have traveled a total distance of 8735 km. Locomotives have traveled 3074 km We had 243 locomotives in steam. A total of 713 wagons were used. A total of 4991 tons were moved and we had a total of 435 96 385 ton/km’s.

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK:
1.) To spray paint Ratanga locomotive frame and wheels and to fit them back. 2.) To spray weeds on the section to Mooihoek and Grootdraai. 3.) To fit 153 complete. 4.) To stencil XC wagon. 5.) Under frame restoration of XC 6.) To go on with restoration of ST wagon. 7.) To shunt wagons to Mooihoek. 8.) To move unit and locomotive frame with a right hand point from Pandora 9.) To build 2” storage line near the shed. 10.) To erect Semaphore signals in Hoekfontein Station. 11.) To make numbers for points 12.) To start restoration pf Home signal for Hoekfontein 13.) To fit Ejector onto Peckett.