Railway Heritage
Sandstone Steam Railway News 16 January 2016
Sandstone Steam Railway News 25 December 2015
Sandstone Steam Railway News 18 December 2015
Class NGG11 No. 52 - end of year report
Since our previous update all four valve and piston assemblies have been completed with the bump marks and valve setting done.
Update on NGG11 No. 52 November 2015
Work continues on the motion of No. 52 – all the valves have been set and various steam pipes put in position. As the restoration team is working without drawings this has been a difficult time. As you will see from the pictures below the eccentric rod has been temporarily cut and adjuster placed in the gap to enable the valve settings to be finalised. This is now being removed and the rod welded in to one piece. All the steam pipes are now in position and a new ashpan has been fabricated with additional air vents.
The slide valves have been set for lead steam
O&K 11112 now ready for steam trials
Rescued from the Companhia Do Assucar De Angola (CAA), Fazenda Tentativa near Caxito in Angola in 2003, O&K 11112 is now ready for its steam trials at Sandstone.
In South Africa most sugar estates had a rail system, generally of 600mm gauge, but Fazenda Tentativa uniquely operated on 500mm gauge and No. 11112 was one of four locomotives acquired from the location.
Class NGG11 No. 52 moves forward
Hot on the heels of the two completed O&K locomotives, Lukas Nel and his team have made great progress with NGG11 No. 52. The two engine units have been reunited with the main frames after serious issues with frame damage were discovered a few weeks ago. Whilst the Sandstone team were always aware of misalignments at both ends, they turned out to be more serious than originally thought. Large cracks and serious distortion of the frames at the engine pivot points have been repaired using a hydraulic press and modern welding techniques. With the Sandstone philosophy of “nothing is impossible” top of mind, Lukas Nel and his team have worked a miracle to move the restoration forward. The locomotive is now looking like the real thing.
Further work is required on the connecting rods and valve gear together with the main steam piping over the next few months.
The photos by Lukas Nel show No. 52 on the 30th September 2015.
Update on NGG11 No. 52 September 2015
Despite earlier difficulties with a lack of drawings the restoration of South Africa’s oldest Garratt locomotive continues. The front engine unit has been placed in position for the fabrication of the new connecting rods and valve gear rods. The photograph from Lukas Nel shows No. 52 with the front engine unit in position. The slide valve configuration of this locomotive can be clearly seen by the flat top to the cylinder cover.
Update on O&K 1112 September 2015
Ex-Angola O&K No. 11112 is reaching the end of its restoration and has received a new coat of paint. Work to be completed now is the fitting of the maker’s plates and name plates. The pictures below from Lukas Nel show No. 11112 resplendent in her new livery and with sister loco No. 12140 still in black primer prior to receiving her new coat of paint.
Update on O&K 0-6-0T 11112/1925
Ex Companhia Do Assucar De Angola
Originally 500mm gauge converted to 600mm gauge
Following on from our last report in June this year, O&K 12140 completed a successful steam test on Friday 21st August.
This locomotive is one of a number of O&K locomotives delivered to this sugar estate in Tentativa, north of Luanda. It was dispatched from Germany in April 1930 and is of the 30hp design. The locomotive was discovered at the estate in Angola during a visit in 2003 by Sandstone Heritage Trust personnel and purchased along with three other locomotives. This is the last locomotive to be restored from the four. The Companhia Do Assucar De Angola was unique among sugar estates in Angola in that it used a 500mm gauge rail system. However, most O&K locos are able to be re-gauged to 600mm if required. The locomotive was shipped to South Africa and the chassis has been given an extensive restoration by Sandstone and converted to 600mm gauge by Lukas Nel and his team in Bloemfontein. The boiler has had a totally rebuilt firebox, with new tubes and tube plates fitted at Keith Steven’s workshop in Howick. The locomotive has now been fitted with a newly fabricated cab, smokebox and all the internal steam pipes have been remade.
12140 in May 2015. Photo by Lukas Nel
Below are two short video clips of 12140 in steam.
Watermota
Watermota
Sandstone Heritage Trust has a varied collection of stationary engines but one gem that is currently under repair is a Watermota K2 6hp twin cylinder 2 stroke inboard marine engine. These engines were produced by Watermota Ltd of Newton Abbot, UK from 1910 to 1955. Their long production run was testament to their durability and reliability. Also produced was the K1 3 hp single cylinder version. Both were used in small launches. The design was noted for its ability to feather the propshaft blades for forward, reverse or neutral obviating the need for some form of gearbox.
Watermota are also well known for their range of Ford Anglia based marine engines produced in the fifties and sixties.
Today the Watermota K1 and K2 types are highly prized as display engines around the world while some are still in service as light craft. The Sandstone example is having new brackets made for the ‘gear’ lever mounting, together with some seals and a new cam for the water pump.
The Watermota K2 marine engine. Starting was by a crank handle on the top chain pulley.
Today Watermota is still very much in business supplying marine engines – particularly Hyundai Seasall as well as other brands, accessories and parts.
Update on 14R 1745 - Impending scrapping put on hold
Update on 14R 1745 - Impending scrapping put on hold
Sandstone is pleased to announce that the impending scrapping of Class 14R locomotive No. 1745 has been put on hold for the present. An Australian enthusiast and owner of an ex SAR locomotive in South Africa has expressed a desire to purchase some parts from 1745. In the interest of preservation Sandstone has agreed to delay any action with 1745 until the enthusiast has visited South Africa later in June 2015 and assessed the viability of a number of parts on 1745 for his use.
Update on O&K 0-6-0T 11112/1925
Ex Companhia Do Assucar De Angola
Originally 500mm gauge converted to 600mm gauge
Letter from Grant Fryer regarding 14R 1745
Letter from Grant Fryer regarding 14R 1745
Following on from the decision to scrap 14R No. 1745 we received the following letter from Grant Fryer at Hilton where 1745 saw service in the early 90s.
Good Day Sandstone,
I trust this email finds you well. I have recently seen the post on Reef Steamers of the intention to dispose of 14R 1745.
This is a loco that is close to my heart. I grew up on the Hilton old mainline, at Sweetwaters. I have vivid memories of watching the trains going over the level crossing, including 14R. I am sorry I never had a camera back then. My love for trains continued and eventually I worked at Hilton station during those preservation years. When 1745 was saved it was certainly with joy in my heart. I also so loved the colour scheme she went into, almost giving her a royalty title.
Today whilst cleaning at the station I came across a small book, ‘Locomotives of the Hilton line’.
Below are some scans of a few pages.
I saw her in 2013 when I was at Reefsteamers and took a photo.
I was filled with heartache after knowing her so well, and it is really sad to see her on the way out.
Regards,
Grant Fryer