RN 253 - Weekly steam shed report - 18th - 24th September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

26th September 2006


Locomotive Report:

CLASS NGG 16 NUMBER 153 This week we shunted 153 to the inspection put to loosen all the steam pipes and braking gears under the locomotive to enable us to remove the rear unit to do all the necessary repair work. The locomotive then was shunted back where we could jack the main frame to roll out the rear unit.

We had to jack the main frame high enough for the pivot to clear all the parts while we rolled out the rear unit. First of all the place where repairs are needed, will be cleaned before we start. Below: A photo of the pivot from a different angle.


THE BARCLAY: This week we steamed the Barclay to shunt in the Steam Shed as well as in Hoekfontein Station. Another six wagons were shunted out in Hoekfontein and were taken down to Pandora. A Total of 19 wagons were taken to Pandora during the last two weeks to load all the wheels and spares. Below: The Barclay just arrived at Pandora with another six wagons to load.

Henry loaded all the wagons and they are ready to be collected in next week.

Class NGG 13 number 49 will be steamed in next week to load this bulk load of spares. After we shunted down the six wagons, we collected the XC wagon at Mooihoek Station and shunted it down to the shed together with a ST wagon.

Wagon Report:
ST number 622 We shunted the ST wagon down to the shed and removed the bogeys. The frame was placed on sleepers and the wagon was sand blasted and spray painted with Red Oxide paint. Both the bogeys also were sand blasted and were also painted. This Red Oxide is different from the sort that we use to spray the B wagons with, and is only a undercoat to prevent it from rusting again. The upright side will now be made and will be fitted before the final coat of Admiral gray paint will be painted. Below: Photos of the ST restoration.



XC number 2227 Jacob sandblasted this wagon this week. The wagon will be spray painted with QD industrial Red Oxide in next week. After the cosmetics are done, it will be taken to the put for a full mechanical restoration. This wagon will be completed by Friday next week. Below: Photos of the XC restoration.

The buffer and buffer colour will be painted black and the side lathers will be painted yellow.

After this restoration is complete, we shall start with the restoration of a modified B wagon that arrived from Port Shepstone late Friday night. Below left: Wagons from Port Shepstone Below right: The modified special B wagon.

This is a gorgeous B wagon! This was the second load of wagons from Port Shepstone this week. The first load is already offloaded. Below are photos of the line of wagons from Port Shepstone.

MORE WAGON NEWS: The B wagon 2968 received some colouring in this week and new vacuum pipes and couplers were fitted to 2968 as well as to 3297. Below are photos of the B wagon and the Cattle wagon.

WAGON BOGEYS This week we spray-painted all the bogeys and fitted bearings to all of them. Petrus painted the brake blocks. The eight bogeys that were fully restored, wheels were painted black while the un-restored bogeys wheels were not painted. Below are photos of the bogey restorations.




MORE RAILWAY NEWS: This week the restoration of two Semaphore signals were completed. Petrus did the last paintwork that was needed while Derrick fitted red and green lenses to the two Semaphore arms. These two Signals are now ready to be erected one at each side of Hoekfontein Station. Below are photos of the Signals.

WATER SOFTENERS This week we assembled the water softeners and they are now ready to be fitted into the little green houses at each column. Below: Derrick assembling the softeners.

WORKSHOP SIGNS: This week we have put up the safety signboards that were made some time ago. It is very difficult to take a proper photo of the signs due to the light coming through the see-through plates in the roof. We also planted another sign outside the shed. Below are photos of it.



The Gold Mines, a place where the faithful servants of man were tested to the limits. Not only did they convey ore to the plants, but also sometimes even the dirty locomotives were made to shine when groups of school children visited the Steam shed. In the year 2002, this was the only place where 3’6”steam could be seen in the Free State. For these children it was a day to remember forever. What we did not know was that in just months it would be the end of Steam... forever silent.

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK
1.) To finish restoration of the XC wagon 2.) To fit softeners. 3.) To offload wagons from Port Shepstone. 4.) To erect two Semaphore signals. 5.) To shunt 19 wagons from Pandora. 6.) To offload 19 wagons 7.) To do repairs on 153 8.) To start restoration of modified B wagon 9.) ST 622 restoration. 10.) ST 248 restoration. 11.) To stencil wagons. 12.) To ballast storage line 13.) To move Class 10Cr to make level crossing more visible for trains and cars. 14.) To fit Mooihoek station name board. 15.) To make nubers for points 16.) To start restoration pf Home signal for Hoekfontein.