RN 221 - Weekly steamshed report - 5th - 11th August 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

This week another very special miracle arrived from the Bloemfontein Workshop, fully restored by Lukas Nel and his Steam Team. This little Saddle Tank Locomotive was taken to the Bloemfontein workshop only a few months ago, with no motion and no spares. We received drawings from the National Railway Museum in York, UK, who allowed Mr. Geoff Pethick access to the drawings before they were generally open to the public.
They then supplied all the drawings requested and we thank them for their great assistance.

She returned to steam into her new career on the Sandstone Steam Railway in full magnificence.

We offloaded her at the Vailima Siding and towed her back to the Hoekfontein Locomotive shed.
Below are some photos to share of the offloading and her journey to the shed.

The Moon, symbol of the night, the end of the day, but for this little Locomotive it’s a symbol of new life. For many Locomotives its already night, with no shining light.

We were very excited to steam the two new Locomotives, but before we could steam them, we had to go through all pre inspections. Then the boilers were filled and the locomotives were coaled. We fired up the locomotives and raised the steam slowly, monitoring every aspect and then finally to listen to their beats.

The Peckett and the Feldbahn locomotives were tested to Grootdraai and back, with the help of brothers Shaun and Pat Ackermann.

The Feldbahn at Grootdraai.

Driver Pat Ackermann behind the controls of the Peckett.

A view out of the cab of the Peckett.

The Peckett and the Feldbahn posing for photos at Grootdraai.

This was not the only steaming day on the Sandstone Steam Railway. The “Radio sonder Grense” 4x4 club visit the farm on Thursday and because of the large amount of passengers we had to steam the mighty class NGG 16 number 153. Early on Thursday morning we steamed the giant for the train tour to Grootdraai and Vailima. This was a good opportunity to test the drifting capabilities of 153 after we had cleaned the Bypass valve and snifter valves. She was again a stunning performer and did her duty with eager.

Below: Number 153 ahead of the Passenger train just before departure to Grootdraai. On our return from Grootdraai we ran through Hoekfontein station to Vailima.

After the train ride the people were taken on a tour to the Vintage and Locomotive Shed, while some preferred to get their hands dirty with Hands on, firing the locomotive.

THE RATANGA LOCOMOTIVE: Henk is finish with the modifications to the tender frame and also with a new Bell buffer for the tender. The tender is next to build, but the next two weeks he will be working on the BSA Railcar again.
The tender frame	The Buffer for the tender
WAGON REPORT: THE WAR VAN: This week Petrus scraped of the inside of the Van and he started to paint the inside with Battleship Grey. Once he is finished, we shall paint the Red Cross sign on the sides of the Van, just need two Blonde nurses now!
CATTLE WAGON 3210 Jacob finished the painting in the inside of this wagon this week.
B WAGON 2968: Jacob and Ben overhauled a vacuum cylinder for this wagon and fitted it to the wagon together with a new chamber tank. A new release valve was fitted with the needed chamber pipes. Jacob fitted the bearings and packed the boxes. New hinges for the doors of this wagon will be made in next week and the braking gears will be fitted back. The wagon will then receive another coat of paint before it is finished.
Jacob and Ben busy with the fitting of the vacuum cylinder	Jacob fitting the bearings to this wagon
AUTOMOBILES Henry is almost done with sanding of the Peerless truck. The Peerless will be spray painted in next week and the woodwork will be done to. Below: Henry sanding the body parts of the Peerless truck.
THE BELLIS MORCOM STATIONARY ENGINE: This week we drained the oil of the Stationary engine and cleaned the inside of the oil sumps. After all the parts were oiled, we tested the engine with compressed air and the engine is running like a sewing machine. Below: The Bellis Morcom Engine.
Derrick working on the mechanical lubricator.	The engine started to work at 200kpa pressure.
Not only did the locomotives disappear, but also the special breed of people who worked on them. Drivers, Fireman’s and Steamfitters were born to work on these machines and were not ordinary men from the streets. They were hard and stubborn and without being like that, they would never be what they were. They kept the iron wheels running with no fear with thousands of tons behind their locomotives working day and night in the worst weather conditions, rain, hail and dust storms racing to keep their trains on time. From left to right: Locomotive Inspector – the late Mr. Mostert, Fireman (name unknown) and Driver Willie May all from the Bloemfontein Steam Depot.
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK:
1.) To finish the Peerless Truck 2.) To Finish the War Van 3.) To Assemble the generator on Bellis Morcom and to test. 4.) To Finish the B wagon 2968 5.) To go on with restoration of BSA Railcar. 6.) Boiler Inspections and Steam tests. 7.) To spray weeds on Railway line 8.) To move Pandora salvage yard complete. 9.) To finish Cattle wagon 3210. 10.) Stencilling of wooden crates 11.) Assemble Cochran boiler and accessories 12.) To fit Safety Sign boards. 13.) To move coaches from the Handyman. 14.) To do Track maintenance on section Hoekfontein – Mooihoek.