Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 288 - Weekly Steam Report - 13th - 19th November 2006 - by Gert Jubileus

21st November 2006

 

This week the Eastern Free State was really steaming with all the Steam activities that took place, not only on the Sandstone Steam Railway, but also with the annual held Cherry Festival. Steam Locomotives came all the way from Germiston to haul a special passenger service between Ficksburg and Generaalsnek. This was a very exciting week indeed and it started with a one-coach train pulled with the Sandstone Steam Railway smallest locomotive, Little Bess. Join me onboard of this little train through the beautiful landscape of the Eastern Free state as it travels over the mountains around the curves and through the orchards.
Mr.Mole, the man behind it all!	Charles Viljoen mastering the Sentinal.
Little Bess raising steam at the Locomotive Shed.
Above & below: Mr.Mole and Gerhard Wille between the remarkable Sandstone wheat lands.
Our passengers, Mr.Mole and Gerhard Wille onboard of the train discussing farming matters and others than most Farmers who would inspect the lands with a 4x4, they inspected the wheat lands traveling by train.
After a short service stop at Vailima, Little Bess departs out of the loop on her journey to Vailima Halt.
A lovely time of the day when the sun softens as it made ready for sundown. Little Bess joyously hauled her little train around the curves through the bushes and tackled the heavy climb up to Vailima Halt. Click here to view a video clip of Little Bess, storming up the embankment to Vailima Halt. >>>
Little passengers awaited the little train at Vailima Halt and joined us on hour journey through the orchards.
Derrick and Henry manned the train. Everyone picked peaches of the trees as Little Bess slowly drove through the orchards.
As the day draws slowly to an end, magic moments were captured, for where in the world would you get a Farmer leaning on his Steam Locomotive next to his wheat lands breathing the fresh farm air of another great day!
The very next day we steamed our Class NGG 13 number 49 to haul a bale train to Vailima Halt. The bales were loaded onto flat and B wagons and were offloaded at the line side where erosion was taking place due to excessive rain storm that occur in this region of South Africa. Below is 49 coupled to a heavy loaded train full off bales.
Below is a photo of the train being loaded in Hoekfontein Station. Mr.Mole and Gerhard Wille soon made themselves comfortable on the goods train between the bales.
The train then was turned on the triangle and ready to depart to Vailima Halt.
Mr.Mole and Gerhard volunteered to be the Guards of train! Then came the offloading of the bales in the cuttings! Little passengers jumped aboard our train, for some of them an experience they will never forget. Click here to view 49 at a crawling pace up the steam embankment to Vailima Halt. After hard work and sweat, it was time to replenish 49’s craving for water at the new water column at Vailima Halt. The same train ran again on Friday morning and another load of bales were offloaded. 49 then was stabled at the Steam Shed where the Feldbahn and the Sentinal awaits their chance to steam to Grootdraai for a late afternoon steaming experience. All of us were weary at the time after a long day behind Steam. At Grootdraai we all relaxed for a while camping on the green grass near the Maluti Mountains. Below is a photo of Leon Flynn admiring the Sentinal steam truck. Perhaps he was thinking of trading his Freightliner for one of these models! Below: Photos of the inside.   Below are photos taken of the Sentinel and the Feldbahn at Grootdraai. Below right: Mr.Mole behind the controls of the Feldbahn. Click here to see a video clip of the Feldbahn in action. The day draws to an end and without anyone knowing it, we did not relive history, we are just making history in a changing world where there is no time to appreciate the great days that we live in. Early on Saturday morning we steamed the Peckett to haul a passenger train to Grootdraai for the Porsche Club who visited the Estates. Below is the Peckett, wrapping her steam arms around the Station and the trees just after she arrived back from Grootdraai.   Soon the Station turned to life with people gathering around the Peckett. After refreshments served in the Waenhuis, the passengers were taken on a tour to the Vintage and Steam Shed. This weekend, the Ficksburg Station was blocked out with trains from allover to support the annual held Cherry Festival. Below is a Diesel Locomotive shunting out Passenger wagons just before the arrival of the Reefsteamers Double headed class 25NC and 15F that came all the way from Germiston to haul the Cherry Festival trains. Below: Reefsteamers shining Class 15F number 3016. Below: Shaun Ackerman, one of our volunteer Train Drivers, servicing, and Shaun behind the controls of 15F number 3016. Leaning out of the Cab of the shining Class 15F! Below: A photo taken of Class 25Nc number 3472 as she pulled into Ficksburg Station on her return trip from Generaalsnek. The two prestige Locomotives belonging to Reefsteamers. Operating Steam Locomotives on the Mainlines in South Africa is almost an impossible due to the missing infrastructure. Well done to the Reefsteamers who showed their talent to run steam in these days and thanks for keeping our Steam Locomotives alive.   PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK: 1.) To make beams for bogeys to load Garratt locomotives in Port Shepstone. 2.) To clean all locomotives that was used last week. 3.) To go on with restoration of BSA Railcar body and mechanical 4.) To box remaining wooden Tolls 5.) To go on with restoration of Ratanga Locomotive. 6.) To ballast storage line and lift and pack 7.) To stencil wagons 8.) To do under frame restoration of XC and stencil. 9.) Locomotive Repairs. 10.) Wagon repairs. 11.) To move wagons and bogeys from Port Shepstone. 12.) To go on with restoration of Ratanga Locomotive.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 289 - NGG16 locos at Port Shepstone

23st November 2006

Posted by: "Dave Richardson" This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:19 pm (PST)

Some good news from Sandstone at a time when steam locos are being cut up. Three NGG16 locos, numbers 137,150 & 152 have been saved from the cutting torch having been purchased from the liquidator of ACR. The sale was at the specific request of the liquidator as the scrap merchants were hovering and Sandstone agreed to purchase them. The locomotives were sent to Port Shepstone after major overhauls at Pietermaritzburg shops but are now in absolutely shocking condition after the ravages of the sea air and many years of neglect.They will be moved to the Sandstone facility at Hoekfontein in the next few days where they will join many of the narrow gauge wagons also saved by Sandstone from the Port Shepstone line. An ongoing programme of moving the 186 wagons bought by Sandstone to Hoekfontein. is still underway.

kind regards

Dave Richardson


Re: NGG16 locos at Port Shepstone
Posted by: "pgrail" This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:08 am (PST)

These locos were actually based at Umzinto depot, part of a group of five that were left stranded when the line to Kelso was severed by floods in 1987 preventing their transfer by broad gauge. Only 137's cab roof and bunker extension actually made it to Port Shepstone at the time. These had to be removed to keep the loco within gauge when railed on to the broad gauge flat truck. The locos were only moved by road to Port Shepstone in 1998 when the other two were sent to Ratanga Junction together with another two which were in store at Paddock. By that time all removable fittings had long since been stolen and inroads were being made on other parts with even a piston rod half sawn through on 137.
Regards,

Phil G

----- Original Message -----

From: Dave Richardson
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 10:39 AM
Subject: [sar-L] NGG16 locos at Port Shepstone

Some good news from Sandstone at a time when steam locos are being cut up. Three NGG16 locos, numbers 137,150 & 152 have been saved from the cutting torch having been purchased from the liquidator of ACR. The sale was at the specific request of the liquidator as the scrap merchants were hovering and Sandstone agreed to purchase them. The locomotives were sent to Port Shepstone after major overhauls at Pietermaritzburg shops but are now in absolutely shocking condition after the ravages of the sea air and many years of neglect.They will be moved to the Sandstone facility at Hoekfontein in the next few days where they will join many of the narrow gauge wagons also saved by Sandstone from the Port Shepstone line. An ongoing programme of moving the 186 wagons bought by Sandstone to Hoekfontein. is still underway.
kind regards

Dave Richardson

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 290 - First steam locomotive for Beaulieu Museum

28th November 2006

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 291 - Famous line to Langkloof may be refurbished by Nwabisa Nofemele - The Herald

29th November 2006

THE EASTERN Cape roads and transport department is planning to refurbish the old freight railway line between the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth – and give new life to the line that gave the Apple Express its name. The revival of the old line used for carrying apples from Langkloof farms to the port for export is expected to create jobs and spare the province‘s truck-ravaged roads. The department also plans to refurbish the branch line between the Port Elizabeth station and Motherwell for commuter purposes by 2010. Roads and Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo yesterday hosted three Dutch consultants who are to assist the department in a feasibility study on the use of the lines to attract private investors and operators. While Spoornet will continue to operate the main railway lines, transport department rail chief director Nkululeko Poya said private operators were required to run some branch lines in the province. Mhlahlo said the department was investigating the possibility of using all railway lines between East London and Port Elizabeth as an alternative mode of transport for both commuter and freight purposes. According to Mhlahlo, refurbishing all the roads in the province would cost millions the department cannot afford at the moment. “Farmers want a quick, reliable mode of transport to take their goods to the harbour and we want to have our railways operating for them,” Mhlahlo said. Poya said: “We are doing research to see how we can get the narrow gauge line up and running as soon as possible.” Spoornet operations manager Tim Fox said all fresh produce from Port Elizabeth was transported by road and only citrus was transported by rail to the harbour. “We also transport millions worth of manganese a year and we share half the market with roads in transporting cars,” Fox said.

Gliding through the valley

During a discussion between the department, the Dutch consultants, Spoornet and the Madiba Bay Development Agency yesterday, concern was raised that legislation currently limited small operators from running on smaller lines and then connecting to the main rail which transports goods to the harbour. Poya said: “We are in the process of changing that legislation to accommodate more room for the operation of smaller operators.” Poya said the Kei rail project from East London to Mthatha would be operating by the end of next year, while the line between East London and Alice will operate by April. After the research, the consultants would compile a report on what was needed to open the railway lines, Poya said. Email Nwabisa Nofemele - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 292 - A sad farewell to Gert Jubileus, our steam shed manager

29th November 2006

It is with regret that we had to say goodbye to Gert Jubileus, one of the major contributors to the Sandstone team, who had to leave the farm for personal reasons.

Creative mind behind the weekly steam shed reports, steam loco driver and shed manager. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

We will therefore be taking a break from the weekly reports until the New Year.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 100 - A passengers report on Avontuur Adventrurer trip - by David Payling

23 SEPTEMBER 2005

The Kelway Hotel was comfortable and ensured a good start of the tour for the participants. It is interesting to look back to the Monday in Humewood as few of the passengers had known each other before the tour. By the end of it on the Friday at George most of us were on very friendly terms showing that the atmosphere during the week had been very sociable. On the first night the mayor’s civic reception I Port Elizabeth was very relaxing and pleasant with an interesting buffet. At first the music for the African dancing was rather loudly played and did not allow conversation to flourish. Fortunately the evening became quieter later.

The first railway day was something of a mixed experience with the short Garratt hauled trip to Chelsea and back. This part of the journey was repeated on the following day with the NG15 and might be worth leaving out in future plans? The same was true of the visit to the new harbour which was guided in a rather strange and defensive manner by one of its officials. It gave something of the air of visiting a Ghost Town. In contrast the afternoon visit to the Schotia wild life farm was very interesting with plenty of close up views of the lions and other animals. Some of the photographers however felt that a game drive had little place on a rail tour itinerary. Potjie in the Schotia boma that evening was a delight!

The start of the main tour the following morning showed immediately what the organisers would be up against for the next three days. The false start for the photographers allowed some of them time to scramble down embankments to take up positions up to a quarter of a mile away and slowed the eventual getaway of the train. By the time the photographers had been gathered on to the train the tour was already significantly behind time. This was to be a recurring aspect of the tour and it might be worth considering how a more structured format for photo runpasts could be arranged so that the train could keep better time. This factor will not be mentioned again but it was a significant point as it later caused a refreshment stop to have to be abandoned and for the train eventually to reach Avontuur after darkness had fallen! This of course frustrated the same photographers who had caused the earlier delays!

The braai buffet at Patensie was well received by all that I could overhear. The accommodation was comfortable and interesting, too. On the second day the wonderful scenery in the Gamtoos valley was a delight and was a highlight of the day. The civic reception at the Cultural Centre at Humansdorp was interesting and it was good to see the interest generated in the community as judged by the large number of onlookers at the station. But was this event really relevant to a rail tour? The lunch stop here was probably too long and the afternoon appeared to get off to a late start. Assegaaibos was reached with little daylight remaining. The Tsitsikamma Lodge was a very acceptable overnight stop and the party was well fed and comfortable overnight. It was a pity that such a long road journey was necessary to reach the hotel as it had already been a long day!

The last day was enjoyed by the passengers with the valley scenery becoming more of an upland farming and orchard environment with the steep sides of the valley and its horizon of jagged mountain tops always looming in the background. The long delay at Louterwater for locomotive water was most unfortunate, causing the cancellation of the refreshment stop, the photo stops and an after dark arrival at Avontuur. At Louterwater, with hindsight, there was probably more than enough time to enjoy tea and refreshments. By now many of the passengers had become acquaintances and so there was much conversation on the train, an advantage of tours of this length. My wife managed to have plenty of interesting conversation on the train, although she is not a railway enthusiast.

We were all pretty tired at Avontuur and it was a pity that we arrived after dark for the sake of the crowds of people who had gathered to welcome the train. I believe there was a braai, just as at Assegaaibos. The passengers unfortunately had to board their bus for the rather long journey down the pass to George. It would be well worth restructuring a Langkloof tour in such a way as to allow a daylight end to it at Avontuur. This would very probably involve a fourth day on the train but, in my opinion, would make for a more satisfying experience overall. It would allow time at the end for a proper celebration of the success of the train crew and the chance for the passengers to offer their congratulations. The crew were a real credit to the organisers. Everyone had a smile for the passengers. Unofficial visits to the Tavern were always welcomed by its enthusiastic staff, Bruce and Sandra. The locomotive’s crew and minders all showed themselves to be on top of the situation, even when we grounded the locomotive in the roadway entrance to the orange packing factory. They deserve every congratulation.

All in all the tour was most enjoyable for the passenger. The constantly changing glorious scenery of the valleys and the mastery of the train by its motive power was a great experience. Several people would have signed up immediately for the next tour up the valley!

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 101 - Weekly steam shed report - Gert Jubilius

24 - 30th September 2005

The moving of the 3'6" coaches to Hoekfontein
The three passenger coaches that were moved from Ficksburg Station last week were moved by road to Hoekfontein Station this week. The three coaches were placed behind the Class 10CR. First of all, we had to plan the moving of the coaches very accurately and then worked the plan. The Mobile workshop was taken to Vailima siding with the Hunslet diesel locomotive. All the tools, jacks, slings and shackles were placed inside the workshop. This really made things a lot easier and came in very handy with compressed air in a second. First of all we had to uncouple the first coach and pulled it to where we could easily it. All the coaches braking gear pull rods were removed together with the safety chains on the bogies. The quarters were removed from the centre pins. Here are some photo’s taken before we started with the loading:
After we had lifted the coach on the one end, the tractor had to pull the one bogie clear from the operation.
A plate that was fitted to the fifth wheel of the Freightliner was used to secure the front of the coach. The Freightliner had to reverse in under the coach.
The coach was secured with bolts and block and tackles to the plate on the fifth wheel of the Freightliner, and after this the coach was moved again to fit the dolly wheels under the back of the coach.
Spoornet was notified about the loading of the coaches at Vailima, and we did place two red flags at both ends of our working place for the safety of the Sandstone team. The dolly wheels were lifted with the crane and were moved to the back of the coach. The coach was lifted again and the rear bogie was removed.
The dolly wheels had to be aligned at the back with the use of block and tackles. The crane then slowly let the coach down, while we had to align the centre pin to fit into the centre hole of the dolly wheels. The coach then was secured with bolts onto the frame of the dolly wheels. It took one hour to travel with the coach from Vailima to Hoekfontein.
While Baas was on his way to Hoekfontein, we loaded the bogies onto the low bed and secured them with block and tackles. We then left for Hoekfontein and the coach was offloaded on Tuesday.
The Offloading!
We first had to move the massive Class 10CR out of the way.
Second we had to offload the bogies and push them far out of the way on both ends of where we wanted to offload the coach.
The coach then was reversed back over the railway line, in alignment with it as well.
After the bolts on the dolly wheel frame were loosened, it was lifted and we pulled out the dolly with a tractor and a sling. The one bogie was pushed underneath the coach and the coach was put down onto the rear bogie.
The coach was then moved backwards on the one bogie to enable us to lift the front of the coach without moving the crane. The front of the coach was then lifted and the freightliner pulled out under the coach. We pushed the front bogie in under the coach and let the coach down onto this bogie. Mission completed and we loaded the dolly wheels again onto the low bed to repeat these steps again until all three were offloaded by Thursday morning. The first and second coach was moved forward to clear the line for the third coach to be offloaded. After we moved the last coach to Hoekfontein, they were pushed back and were coupled to the brown coaches. The Class 10CR was also pushed back again.
Petrus and Oupa cleaned the Class 10CR while Ben and Derrick waterproofed the coaches. Above are some photos of the offloaded coaches at Hoekfontein.
NARROW GAUGE WAGONS: B-WAGONS NUMBERS 1629, 2436, 1812:
SOFTENER HOUSES: Henry is almost finished with the third softener house and will have all finished by Monday afternoon. Oupa also finished the cosmetic upgrading of the boiler at the ablution blocks.
A 19D front bogie was also loaded onto the low bed for Bloemfontein.
From the past
Class 19D number 2692 on the Theunissen- Winburg branch line in June 1979.
Steam Greetings, Gert

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 102- Sandstone Steam Railway weekly activities - by Gert Jubilius

1st - 7th October 2005

Wagon restorations
B WAGONS NO. 1629, 2436, 1812 The three B wagons were moved from the siding to the shed for the finishing touches of restoration. The vacuum cylinders were de-scaled and painted. Vacuum steel pipes were fitted and Jacob did some finishing paint touch up to these wagons. The three B wagons still need the vacuum cylinders to be fitted and a brake adjustment. This B wagons will be completed by the end of next week and will be stencilled as well. Here are some photos of the restoration process:
THE FLAT WAGON: Jacob finished the paint touch up work that was needed to finish the second flat wagon. This wagon is now ready to be used and will be added on the list of the Sandstone restored wagons. We have stencilled the remaining wooden crates that will be fitted on this wagon.
THE BRITANNIA B WAGON: Derrick started on the Britannia B wagon again this week. He finished the welding of the plates for the water tank on the Britannia B, and started with the building of the coalbunker and shovel plate. The construction work on this B wagon will be finished by the end of next week. Derrick will then start with the transformation on the B wagon body and will include the spraying with spray filler to give a smooth paint effect after it is sprayed with paint. He then will fit a wooden floor similar to the floors of the flat wagon that will help to absorb the shock on the Britannia Boiler that will be fitted onto after the completion of this B wagon. This promise to be a masterpiece of restoration because of the high standards of work on this wagon. Here are some photos of the construction work on the Britannia B wagon:
Locomotive Report
THE KALAHARI: Ib am currently attending to a backlog of work, but the Kalahari’s fire bars was bothering me so much, so Derrick finished the construction of all seven fire bars for the Kalahari and fitted the new fire bars. This is done and my mind is at rest now. Here is Derrick busy with the last fire bar for the Kalahari:
THE REFURBISHING OF THE DOUGLAS LOCOMOTIVE: Henry collected the pieces of the Douglas locomotive cab and side tanks at Pandora. He started with sandblasting of the locomotive and will finish it on Monday. He took the tank into the workshop and started with construction work that is needed on the side tanks. The cab will be repaired next and once its finished, it will be fitted onto the Douglas locomotive. The sandblasting will recommence and the locomotive will be sprayed in the correct colours. Henry also collected the cab of a 19D at Pandora. This will make part of a sideline job and will be sandblasted and spray-painted as well. The cab will then be placed inside the shed for display purposes and we are going to fit all the required fittings inside the cab to look as realistic as possible. This will be of special interest to visitors. Here are some photos of the Douglas Locomotive restoration.
The BSA Railcar
Des started with the construction work on the BSA again this week. He removed the original radiator and stripped it to repair the cores. The radiator was fitted back and he started with the construction of the bonnet for the BSA. All the pedals were removed and plates were cut and fitted onto the BSA. The main frame received fibreglass and the edges of the frame will be supported with extra angle iron. It really gets exciting to see the body of the BSA getting the shape like in its younger days. Here are some photos of the BSA progress:
General & other restorations
SOFTENER HOUSES: Henry finished the construction of the third softener house and it was spray-painted. The houses are now ready for use with the installation of the water softeners at the water columns.
STATION NAME BOARDS AND RECTIFICATIONS TO STATIONARY BOILER DRAW BARS: Arno fitted the completed station name boards to appropriate poles and it is now ready to be erected at the stations. Arno also rectified the stationary boilers drawbars and fitted all the new fire extinguishers inside the workshop.
BAGGAGE TROLLEY RESTORATION: Jacob started with the restoration work to the baggage trolleys. He de-scaled the trolley and spray painted it. The under frame just needs to be painted black to finish the first trolley in line for restoration.
LINE WEED SPRAYING: Jacob and Ben started with the spraying of the Railway line and will complete the line spraying in next week. Here is a photo of the Wickham and weed spray trolley in action:
From the past
My late grandfather who used to be the Station Master on Perdeberg station took this photo. The date of this photo is unknown, but the locomotive is a Class 23 awaiting a crossing at Perdeberg station on the Kimberley - Bloemfontein line. My grandfather was very proud of his Station and won many trophies for having the neatest Station in the Free State. Today, he is gone, the Station derelict but the trophies remain in the family to remind us from a man who gave his life to work on the Railways.
Steam Greetings, Gert

Rail week at Sandstone
This week saw a very busy week on the Railway line. The Hunslet diesel locomotive was used to pull a short “material” train on the narrow gauge line. The train consist of one DZ and the Mobile Workshop with the Guards van and one B wagon also loaded with signboards. We started down at Grootdraai and proceed all along to Vailima Halt. All the stations received Station name boards; warning boards from both directions as well as whistle boards at all the level crossings down the Railway line. Chains were welded onto the points to enable us to lock all points for the mainline. While we were busy with all these, Jemina cleaned the weeds in the Stations. The line cleanup is not finished yet, and Jemina will proceed with the cleaning of the line in next week. Below are some photos of the activities this week:
While we were busy with this, Des and Henry sprayed the Railway line with the Wickham Railcar. They completely sprayed the line twice this week.
This week also did have its problems, but with a workshop so well equipped, nothing can’t be fixed. The Wickham railcar experienced some problems and we had to use the little Funky diesel locomotive to complete the weed spraying on the railway line. Below is a rare photo of the Hunslet and the Funky where they met each other on the new extension from Vailima Halt to Pandora junction. It is interesting to know that this was the last railway sign board that was planted as well as the weed spraying was complete over the entire line just where the Funky has stopped behind the Hunslet.
Below left is a photo of Driver Arno Serfontein behind the controls of the Hunslet Diesel Locomotive
The only thing left now is to restore the Semaphore signals and to erect them at all the Stations. THE HUNSLET DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE: The Hunslet Diesel locomotive was serviced this week. The oil was changed as well. Below right: Ben and Jacob busy with draining of the oil from the Hunslet.
Wagon Restoration
B- Wagons 1629, 2436, 1812. These wagons were brought to the put this week and brake blocks were fitted. The brakes were adjusted and needs to be stencilled next. It could be that this B wagons will be three of the six to be modified to FZ type of wagons to haul corn. Derrick will be working on the modifications on the B wagons.
General & Other Restorations
THE WICKHAM RAIL CAR Des stripped of the rear wheels of the Wickham to enable him to strip the gearbox on the Wickham. The problem was dealt with and the Wickham will be back in service by Monday night.
BAGGAGE TROLLEY Jacob finished the second baggage trolley and both restored trolleys are on display inside the shed. He started with the third baggage trolley and will finish it by next Monday.
THE BIG CENTRIFUGAL WASH OUT PUMP Derrick mounted the big centrifugal wash out pump outside the shed. New 4” water inlet pipes were fitted and connected to the big black water tank wagon. He is almost finished with the pump house to protect the pump from the rain.
SHUNTING: All the small locomotives were shunted on one line inside the shed, while all the big locomotives are now on their own line inside.
From the past
Class 6 number 439 on Winburg platform in May 1979. Rovos Rail is the proud owner of this magnificent locomotive. There use to be a Station Master with the surname Kruger. He always kept her in a very neat and clean condition and never allowed any one to even touch the locomotive. This is where my life started on the Railway. I use to sit beside the locomotive, waiting for the daily mix train pulled by a 19D from Theunissen.
Planning for next week
1.) To build 5 x 10m Rail panels 2.) To move three wagons from Kommandoneck to Hoekfontein. 3.) To finish the centrifugal pump house 4.) To finish Wickham 5.) To finish three B wagons complete 6.) To clean up Railway line 7.) To finish third baggage trolley 8.) To move Semaphore signal and start to refurbish 9.) To go on with the BSA Railcar 10.) To go on with the Britannia wagon 11.) To re-rail two B wagons for restoration. 12.) Refurbish Douglas locomotive. Greetings Gert

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Locomotives
The Douglas Locomotive
Henry stripped the cab of the Douglas locomotive as well as the roof. All the bends in the plates were straighten. Henry fitted all the sides of the cab back and secured them with new bolts and nuts. The next is to fit the cab and the one side tank onto the locomotive. The locomotive will then be sand blasted completely before the spray-painting will commence.
Railcars
The BSA Railcar
The engine for this railcar will arrive on the farm during next week. The engine will be fitted into the BSA and will then enable Des to design and build the engine bonnet for the railcar. When the bonnet is finished, we can do all the finishing touches to the body work of the BSA and it will be spray-painted.
The Whickam Railcar
Des finished the rectifications to the gearbox of the Wickham railcar and the gearbox and wheels were assembled and fitted back again.
Wagon Restoration
B-Wagons 1629, 2436, 1812
Jacob and Ben finished this three B wagons. They only needs to be stencilled in next week. Britannia B Wagon The Britannia B wagon underwent a complete under frame restoration this week. The vacuum cylinder was overhauled and a new release valve was fitted. The brake gears were removed, de-scaled and painted with Red Oxide paint. The brake gears were fitted back and brake blocks were fitted. The brakes were adjusted and the handbrakes were made workable again. Derrick is finished with the steel construction work on the B wagon and is fitting a wooden floor to it. The wooden floor will be secured with two lengths of angle iron. The B wagon will then be de-scaled, and will be sprayed with spray filler before it is spray painted. When this wagon is finished, we shall upgrade a boiler that will be mounted onto this B wagon. The main purpose of this wagon will be to steam clean locomotive motions as well as wagon under frames. This wagon could also be shunted any where on the farm, where we could steam clean combines and tractors. Derrick is going to build a cab, just like the ones on the Locomotives, so this is really going to look extraordinary.
Other Restorations
Baggage Trolley Jacob de scaled the third baggage trolley and will paint it in next week. All the baggage trolleys are on display inside the shed.
The Big Centrifugal Pump
Derrick build a little house that fits over the centrifugal pump outside the shed. Both the centrifugal pumps are connected to the same feed pipe from the big black water tank. This enables us to use both centrifugal pumps. The smaller one will then be used to fill boilers and tenders on operating days, while the big pump will be used for wash out purposes. This big centrifugal pump can deliver 27000 litres water in a hour.
Other Activities
The Fowler B5
The Fowler B 5 was loaded this week and will undergo cosmetically upgrading. Before we loaded the Fowler, we had to remove the boom of the Crane.
The Cole's Crane
Des and Arno serviced the Coles crane this week. Various rectifications were done to the crane and new slings were made and were fitted onto the crane. The oil was changed and new diaphragms were fitted onto the dif lock of the crane. All grease nipples were greased and the crane was prepared for the loading and moving of three freight wagons from Komandonek Station to Hoekfontein Station. Here are photos of Arno and Des busy with the Coles Crane.
Moving of the Freight Wagon
Before we could start moving the three freight wagons from Kommandonek Station to Hoekfontein Station, we had to build a 50 metre track that was laid at the back of the Waenhuis. Rails and steel sleepers were loaded onto a trailer and were taken to the Shed. Five panels were build and laid at the Waenhuis.
We loaded the dolly wheels again unto the lo-bed together with all the tools and equipment needed for this operation.
At Kommandonek, we had to remove the stop block and have done some earth moving works before we could start loading the wagons.
The freight wagon then was pulled to the end of the line where we could load it.
Derrick loosened the brackets on the bogies and we uncoupled the brake gear pull rods before the crane lifted the one side of the wagon.
The bogie then was pulled away to clear the line for the Man to reverse in under the wagon.
The wagon then was pulled forward again to the end of the line on the rear bogie. The crane lifted the rear of the wagon, and we removed the rear bogie.
The Dolly wheel was pulled underneath the wagon with the winch on the Man. The wagon was secured with bolts and block and tackles. We then loaded both the bogeys onto the lo-bed.
We then departed for Hoekfontein with the first freight wagon. Arno was a bid shaky to drive the Man with this massive freight wagon, but I am really proud of him, he did a great job and took this wagon safe to Hoekfontein.
Storm Hit Kommandonek
A wind storm hit kommandonek last Friday, and left a trace of fallen trees all over the Station. Massive Bloekom trees were ripped out of the ground and was thrown over the railway mainlines in the Station. Spoornet was notified about this and they had to send out their trolley to Kommandonek to cut these big trees into sections to enable them to remove it from the Railway line. Here are some photos of the disaster.
Various
The weeds were sprayed on the entire Railway line on the Farm with the use of the Little Diesel locomotive. Henry did some modifications to the weed spray trolley. Here is Henry busy with the welding in of a support to the drag beam of the trolley.
Ben spends two days this week to sort all the 45lb rail and 60 lb rails at Pandora.
From The Past
Two Class 23’s raising steam after both locomotives replenished their water at Vetrivier in the early 1960’s. This photo was taken by the Station Master Mr Norval who manned the Station at that time. These two locomotives were bound for Kroonstad with a freight train from Bloemfontein.
Planning for next week
To move all three freight wagons from Kommandonek Station to Hoekfontein. To finish restoration of third baggage trolley. To do the Valve settings on the Barclay and to steam test her. To cut two B wagons to Flat wagons To fit engine to the BSA and to go on with the body work on it. To finish wooden floor of the Britannia B wagon. To make Road signs for level crossings To assemble cab and side tank of the Douglas locomotive To do brake adjustment to wagons and coaches
GREETINGS... GERT

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 109 - SAR NG 6 Class "The Lawleys"

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Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 110 - Progress with the Peckett locomotive No. 2161

Peckett locomotive No. 2161 is progressing steadily. Pictures from the workshop clearly show the valve gear as it is coming together.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News RN 111 - The steam preservation community in South Africa are on tender hooks The steam preservation community in South Africa are on tender hooks. We understand from the authorities that tenders will be coming out shortly which might result in the scrapping of nearly 1,000 3'6" steam locomotives. Bearing in mind that Zimbabwe is busy decommissioning steam engines to use on the National Railways of Zimbabwe to take advantage of their substantial coal resources, we wonder why the South African Authorities do not adopt a wait and see attitude. With declining reserves of fossil fuel it would be possible to haul long distance freight using locomotives like the 25NC in particular which is fitted with roller bearings and which has an advanced design to take up the challenge. We urge the authorities to reconsider the long-term position. Short-term financial gain resulting from the scrapping of these locomotives might result in a very significant long-term penalty for society as a whole.