|
|
|
The Cherry Festival Launch was held here on the Farm this week. All the sponsors for the annual held Cherry Festival in November were here and Gavin Boy (St. Ives Communications) scheduled a very interesting day. We again steamed the Giant of the Narrow Gauge, Class NGG 16 Number 153. She again performed gigantically and the new generation people were crazy about her. Most people already forget what made the Railways what they are today, and by watching these giants perform, they can’t believe that these machines are not being used anymore. They are very close to modern, yet their fates were inevitable.
Below: Class NGG 16 Number 153, just before departure on the Cherry Festival Journey.
|
|
|
|
|
Just before the train departed, picnic baskets and drinks were loaded into the Guards Van. The train left for Vailima at 12H30 and returned back to Grootdraai with very excited passengers. They were a nice crowd and all were very friendly and full of fun.
Below: Number 153 storming up the Mooihoek embankment.
|
|
|
At Grootdraai we stopped for the afternoon. The tables were set and all enjoyed a border picnic with the Maluti Mountains in the backdrop. A little bit of snow was still evident on the mountains, although it was not cold at all.
Below: Some enjoyed the food while the others were playing games.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A treat was the ox wagon ride.
Some were scared to jump on, but for those who dared it was an experience of a lifetime.
|
|
|
Later the afternoon they had clay Pigeon Shooting and we had a mission to get all the passengers back on board that night. The train left from Grootdraai just before sundown and after we arrived back in Hoekfontein, they party further in the Waenhuis where they danced the night away.
|
|
|
|
For the train crew it was another day in paradise, listening to the sound of their machine!
|
SANDSTONE STEAM RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVES
The day after the Cherry Festival Launch train, we took the coalbunker of number 153 to enable us to do repairs in restricted areas. First of all the tender plates will be cut out and will be replaced with new plates, and while the bunker is off, we can do the repairs needed on the pivot to catch-up the play. In next week we shall strip the pipes and lift the main frame from the rear unit to enable us to do the repair.
BELOW: Henk and Henry loosening the bolts that secure the bunker to the rear frame.
|
|
|
|
| The tender was placed on a flat wagon to make it more mobile. |
|
|
|
Once these repairs are done, she will be perfect again. Class NGG 16 number 113 is to be used for tours in the meantime, but will be the next locomotive to undergo some heavy repairs.
|
|
|
|
THE RATANGA LOCOMOTIVE:
The restoration of the tender for this little locomotive is well on schedule and Henk started with the building of the new tender. Only the main frame will be used.
Above right: The construction of the new tender.
|
|
|
|
SANDSTONE STEAM RAILROAD WAGONS
G WAGON 3210
Ben is almost finished with the sanding of this wagon and will finish it soon in next week. The steelwork will be painted with PWD Brown and the wood will be varnished. We plan to have this wagon complete by the end of next week.
Below: The restoration of 3210.
|
|
|
|
|
B WAGON 2968:
This week we had to take of the brake lever axle of this wagon. It was stuck because of rust and all the years out in the weather. The axle was sanded and a layer of grease was rubbed around it before the hanger was fitted back. Derrick welded the brake gear safety chains. The braking gears were de-scaled and painted and were fitted back. The brake blocks were replaced and the brakes were adjusted. This B wagon with 3210 will be finished and ready to ride the rails by next week Friday.
New door brackets will be made for this wagon.
Below: Derrick welding the safety chains and on the right, heating the axle to loosen it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G WAGON 3292:
With 3210 and 2968 near completion, we shunted this wagon to the put. The braking gears were removed and will be de-scaled and painted with Red Oxide paint.
Petrus started with the removing of the broken wooden sides of this wagon and will cut new planks for it in next week. The wood will be sanded and the steel frames will be painted brown to look identical to her sister wagon 3210. I gave this wagon to Petrus to do the restoration.
Below: Photos of the restoration of 3292.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WAGONS IN TOWN:
This week all the coaches and wagon in Ficksburg Station were moved to the Sandstone Shed in town. Below: All the wagons close to our security area.
|
|
|
|
AUTOMOBILES
THE PEERLESS TRUCK
Henry finished the sanding of the bonnet and fenders of the Peerless truck this week. He spray painted the frame of the Peerless and started with the wood that will be fitted on the back of the truck.
Below: Photos of the Peerless restoration.
Below right: The bonnet and fenders in the Background.
|
|
|
|
THE RAILWAY LINE:
Oupa is back from his annual leave on Monday and will immediately start with the track maintenance on the section between Hoekfontein and Mooihoek, onwards to Vailima. We started with the “ weed attack” this week and although it is still winter it is better to nip them in the bud before they take over. We used the Wickham with the weed trolley to spray the line. This is taking up much time and we have a plan to better the weed trolley by fitting more sprayers to it. We already have fitted another 500-litre tank to enable us to spray further at a time and minimize the time lost when refilling is needed. It takes five days to spray the line and a total of square kilometres are covered. With more sprayers we will be able to spray at a higher speed and could be able to do the entire line in two days. The maximum speed was worked out to be 800 meters an hour. Although the weed spraying continued throughout the weekend, we still have another 3 km to go.
Below: The Wickham on a weed attack cruise!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GENERAL:
Another load of spares were moved from Pandora to Hoekfontein this week. We plan to take Flat wagons to the Pandora crossing and to load a trainload full of spares to move at once. The tractor and trailer will then just be used to transport the spares between the salvage yard and the Pandora crossing. A little storage line will be laid next to the water wagon to accommodate the locomotive wheels.
|
|
|
|
|
FROM THE PAST!
|
|
|
|
|
|
This locomotive worked the Royal Train in 1947. First they were withdrawn, and then placed on display as a monument, and next, suddenly they disappeared.
I could not find this locomotive in John Middleton’s book.
I hope she still survives somewhere.
|
|
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK
1.) Boiler Inspection Thursday and Friday.
2.) To finish B 2968
3.) To finish G 3210
4.) To go on with the restoration of 3292
5.) To move Pandora Salvage yard.
6.) To do modification to weed trolley
7.) To complete Weed attack
8.) To do needed repairs on 153
9.) To do Track Maintenance section Hoekfontein – Mooihoek
10.) To go on with restoration of Ratanga tender
11.) To spray paint Peerless Truck and to finish.
12.) To fit generator to Bellis Morcom and to test. |
|
|
|
|
|
