RN 230 - Weekly Steam shed report.rice List for 2ft narrow gauge wagons and bogies



Transnet recently awarded The Sandstone Heritage Trust a tender for 180 narrow gauge wagons, which are at Port Shepstone. A huge logistics plan was put into action to move the wagons from site. Examples of these wagons can be seen below. The Coles Crane was loaded on Monday and was taken to Port Shepstone to load these wagons. We immediately started with the loading of the wagons and the first two loads of wagons arrived on the Farm on Friday. The Hunslet Diesel Locomotive will be shipped to Port Shepstone in next week to shunt the wagons to a suitable place to load.



Far back in the picture wagons are standing in rows behind the bushes

Below: Loading the first wagons.

Below Right: Paddock Station today!

Below: Izingolweni Station. On the right side of the goods Shed there is a line of wagons, totally overgrown.

SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES:

This week the final preparations were done for the Boiler Inspections on Thursday and Friday. The Fowler B 5, Steam Crane was also prepared for Inspections. Our Boiler Inspector, Willie Lottering inspected five boilers over a period of two days. First it was the internal inspection and then the hydraulic tests on these boilers. Finally the Steam tests were done and the safety valves were set. The O&K, Feldbahn, Peckett, Fowler B5 and the Class NG 15 passed the boiler inspections and are being issued with three-year Boiler certificates. Below: Derrick preparing the Fowler B5

Below: Willie and Nick at the side of the Feldbahn.

CLASS NGG 16 NUMBER 153 Derrick stripped all the pipes from the rear Unit to the main frame while Jacob cleaned of all the accumulated dirt on the rear unit. The rear unit will be removed in next week to gain access to the repairs that are needed. THE RATANGA LOCOMOTIVE: Henk made good progress with the building of the coal bunker this week. Below are photos of the new shape!

SANDSTONE WAGONS: Number 3292

This wagon is being restored by Petrus and this week he cut planks and fit a new floor into this wagon. He then started with the wooden sides and is making good progress with this wagon. 3292 will be moved to the put for a under frame restoration in next week. Below: Photos of this restoration!

WAGON NUMBER 3210 The restoration of this wagon is almost complete. Jacob painted and varnished the wagon this week and will spray the bogeys in next week to complete the wagon. New vacuum couplers are on the way to the farm and will be fitted. Below: The restoration of 3210

THE WEED TROLLEY: Henry fitted another row of sprayers to the trolley and it have thirteen sprayers in total. He also cleaned and overhauled the centrifugal pump and fitted another filter on the pipe line. Oupa then painted the trolley in a green livery and the name ‘Weed Killer’ for the trolley will be stencilled on in next week. We now will be able to spray the entire Railway line in two days. Below: Photos of the trolley

TRACK MAINTENANCE: Oupa started again with Track maintenance on the section Hoekfontein to Mooihoek. He will continue with the schedule till he is finish. We then shall start with the removing of the slacks on the Railway line.


FROM THE PAST:
Locomotives and their crews Never will we be able to simulate everyday Steam like it used to be in the good old days. We can run special tours, or just steam locomotives, but never will it be the same again. Right: Richard Neven in the cab of 3482. Not one day was the same, new challenges were an everyday excursion.

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK: 1.) Offload wagons from Port Shepstone 2.) Load Hunslet for Port Shepstone 3.) Finish restoration of 3210 4.) Restoartion of 3292 5.) Restoration of B 2968 6.) Repairs on NGG 16 number 153 7.) Track Maintenance 8.) Spray paint Peerless truck 9.) Spray weeds on the last 2,5 km track 10.) Fit generator to Bellis Morcom and to test. 11.) Fit Safety sign boards 12.) Fit Mooihoek Station name 13.) Wash out Feldbahn and Peckett