ON THE MOVE!!!

Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.

Click here to view this report - 4MB PDF (opens in a new window)

MODERN HISTORY!!!

Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.

Click here to see what has been happening - 1MB PDF (opens in a new window)

THE SANDSTONE HERITAGE TRUST – RSR INTERNAL AUDIT 2010/2

We recently completed an RSR Internal Rail Audit report which some of our web site visitors may find of interest.

Click here to view the report - 139KB Word document (Opens in a new window)

 

Sylvia Hedgecock on the locomotive in 1956 at the Scottbough Railway.

Another lost treasure to the Natal coast line was the demise of the Scotburgh Miniature Railway. Again I have very little info on it other than the few pictures I have in my collection. The one above is from one of our club members, Sylvia Hedgecock, also known as the lady in control of the signal box. We see now her interest in steam engines dates well back!

Last NG15 class Loco built be Societe Anglo-Franco Belge in 1953.

Delivered to Namibia, based at the Loco works in Usakos. Tue engine was transferred to Port Elizabeth after the narrow gauge system in Namibia was re-gauged to 3'6" in 1960.

Boiler Works on the No.136 (Dates are maybe not complete, still working on it):

12.10.1976 28.08.1978 12.09.1978 13.08.1979 09.01.1980

09.11.1981 05.09.1983 15.09.1983 23.07.1984 07.09.1984

The engine was for major overhaul works in the SAR workshops in early 1987.

DERAILED

Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.

Click here to see what has been happening - 2MB PDF (opens in a new window)

 

Country Music on a Steam Train

Reefsteamers will be running a special train on 4th September 2010 where several Country Music artists will be appearing. 

Unfortunately this article is no longer available.

 

 

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 129 - Railways Africa Article by John Batwell - Issue 2/2005

Click here for a larger view of the article

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News
20th January 2006

RN 149 - The little 2' gauge ex-Ratanga loco

Regarding the little 2' gauge ex Ratanga loco mentioned, which Gert Jubileus is tackling at Sandstone (although he's had to drop it till the festivities are over!) here are some pics I took on the first recce. It's always nice to have some 'before' pics!"

Andy Selfe.
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Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

17th January 2006

RN 158 - David Shepherd reunited with his South African 15F locomotive

3rd May 2006

23rd May 2006 - New photos added to David Shepherd Tour article >>
View Tessa Joughin's photo gallery - "Avril" >> (unfortunately this article is no longer available)
RN 165 - A day to remember - by C.A. Janisch >>
Read the reply -  RN 170 - "RE: A day to remember - by John Ashworth" >>

On the 27th April, world famous wildlife artist and rail enthusiast, David Shepherd, travelled between Ficksburg and Kommandonek (part of the famous Bloemfontein to Bethlehem line) in the Eastern Free State of South Africa behind his 15F steam locomotive number 3052. The locomotive, which is in the custody of the Sandstone Heritage Trust, of narrow gauge fame, was specially recommissioned for this event by Sandstone after being out of service for some 2 years. David was granted special permission by Spoornet to travel on the footplate of 3052.

 

3052 was steamed on the 26th and David had an emotional twilight reunion with the locomotive presented to him by Spoornet in 1991 in exchange for a specially commissioned painting of it. After some quiet time on the footplate in the evening, David expressed his strong attachment to the loco, which is named "Avril" after his wife.

 

The locomotive has been in the custody of Sandstone since February 2004 but David last travelled behind her on a fleeting visit to South Africa in 2002. The 15F was the most numerous class of the then South African Railways, 3052 being built by North British in 1946. The spectacle of this massive loco on 3'6" gauge prompted David to remark that it made his British 9F, 92203, "Black Prince", look small!

Three trips were made in glorious weather during the day over the scenic 13 kilometre route.
After the excitement of the day David was treated to a special sunset run on the Sandstone Narrow gauge behind Sandstone's 1895 built, ex-Beira Railway Lawley 4-4-0, BR7.

3052 performed faultlessly and it is hoped that David will be able to enjoy his locomotive again on a future trip to South Africa.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

Read the reply from John Ashwell - "RE: A day to remember - by John Ashworth" >>

16th May 2006

On Thursday 27 April 2006 it was dark, chilly and misty as fellow Pretorian Henry Lazenby and myself headed south towards the Free State to witness a special day of steam. The railway maestro himself David Shepherd along with Sandstone were hosting a series of runs with the artist's 15F 3052 "Avril" stationed at Ficksburg. Having never seen steam operate over this section and with future prospects for steam trains here rather bleak this was a chance not to be missed. We broke through the mist near Bethlehem and were soon heading towards Fouriesburg, the rising sun glinting gold off the sandstone cliffs. Around 9am we arrived in the sleepy hollow of Ficksburg, a sharp right turn bringing us into the station. Hearts skipped a beat as we saw 3052 shrouded in steam at the head of her consist. Swinging on board I greeted the intrepid FOTR train crew of Cliff Petzer, Mike Haslam, John Ashworth, John Dadford and Kobus Steyn. All was well on the footplate, the grumbling stoker warming her up and the crew mingling with the diffusing steam as they fussed over the loco.

T. Green No. 2135 -latest report 

On Sunday 9th May 2010 2135 was prepared for a full steam test and road run.

After much work over the winter the engine sounded much better but final timing was still necessary.

We took the roller for a test run of about half a mile, the engine sounded OK, but the gear train was more than noisy and the vibration was horrendous!

And so it was back to the yard and back to the drawing board.

Here we had a conference on what should be done. We decided that the gear train needed to be stripped down and assessed, and repaired as necessary.

And so on Thursday 13 May we started to strip the gear assembly.

Firstly let me explain how we thought that something was amiss.

After the primary gears and selector had been repaired, changing gear was very difficult, this we assumed was that it needed 'running in', but we now know better.

The primary to secondary meshing was too deep! More about that later.

After removal of the ash pan, for 'jacking purposes' the engine was jacked and supported with timbers, for safety, the wheel hub cap removed and the pin and sleeve removed in readiness for rear wheel removal.

This done and the wheel rolled forward and tied off for safety.

We then proceeded to remove the gear guards and put in the barn out of the way.

What greeted us was horrendous.

The differential spur gear was 85 thou loose on the bevel gear shaft, this sleeve bearing was later found to be the original and was already worn out. After removal of the differential spur gear, (laid flat on a pallet) it was found that the 'new bevel gear', which is the drive to the roller was loose on the drive shaft, was later found to be 15 thou too loose! (Should be a 'drive on fit',) and could be pulled off easily and the flat bed keys just fell out! Should also be a tight fit. These keys had had some weld added and filed to 'fit' but were 100 thou too loose!

So together with the diff spur movement and the bevel gear and keys moving, the gear teeth have suffered, and will also need redressing.

So now to the secondary shaft, this was also too loose, both play in the sleeve bearings and laterally (side to side), of some 80 thou and 185thou. Respectively.

This shaft was then removed, for bearing replacement.

So correct gear train meshing could never have been attained, with a combination of incorrect sized bearing, or worn bearings or incorrectly fitted bearings and keys!!

Also to add to the problems, the main drive bearing support casting, which has taken the brunt of this vibration, is cracked, (this has been braised before!), I may however get away with this as it is, we think, supported adequately. See enclosed photos.

So in short the mechanics of this beautiful rare engine have been a total 'Stuff up'

And have caused me a lot of work and some considerable expense, and it hasn't stopped yet!

My biggest headache is to reduce the bore of the bevel gear, this I intend to do by having it's internal diameter chrome plated and reground to fit, plus new keys.

I don't want to have to have a 'new' gear cut, as that would really cost.

As you can imagine this work, could take me the rest of this years rally season, mainly because I am at the mercy of specialist engineering services, but when completed and the engine timing finally done should give me a good mechanically sound engine and roller.

I will then need to have it boiler tested for another year.

In conclusion, so far, I think that the 'Restoration, mechanically' has been very suspect, but at the same time a steep learning curve for me.

Photo gallery

 

A SHORT STORY!!!

Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.

Click here to see what has been happening - 2MB PDF (opens in a new window)

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News - Private Rail in South Africa

RN 97 - The Weekly Steam Shed Report - 16th - 23rd September 2005

INTRODUCTION:
This week saw a very busy week at the Steam Shed. We are trying to catch up with the backlog of work still to be done. Each and everyone made a huge effort to make a remarkable progress. The previous report was taken to last Monday, and all in this report was done in four days only.

THE KALAHARI:
Derrick started with the modifying of fire bars for the Kalahari on Monday and was finished on Friday. The Kalahari will now have brand new shaker bars that will work more easily when cleaning fires. In these days of modern technology there is no time and by speeding up the time to clean fires, minimizes delays during operating days. This however does not end here, and a number of smaller locomotives with no shaker or drop rates will be modified to make it easier to clean fires. With modern Diesel locomotives, there are no delays to service stops, and by minimizing service stops with steam locomotives, we could actually place Steam in a better light under the more sceptic Railway enthusiasts. We also await quotes for a “better than A grade coal” for all the smaller locomotives. By using this very rare coal that is actually just for export purposes, we would be possible to operate little locomotives without any fire cleaning necessary. This coal actually just burns away and forms no clinker at all. It is very rich on oils and makes real black smoke without using a lot of coal at one time.
Here is Derrick busy with the modifications to the Kalahari’s fire bars!

THE BARCLAY:
Des fitted two new non-return valves to the Barclay. The old non-return valves were taken of and were faced again. The new ones were fitted halfway on the delivery pipes and will help to prevent blow back from the boiler if the original clack valves would stuck open again.
Above and left, Des is busy with the fitting of the new non-return valves to the Barclay's delivery pipes!

THE VALVE SETTING:
Des stripped of the slide valve covers and started with the measuring of all the motion components. We did found the problem and will be rectified.
Below, Des is busy with measuring and comparing left to the right sides!

WAGON RESTORATION:

THE FLAT WAGON:
A complete under frame restoration was done to the flat wagon. All the brake gears and pull rods were sandblasted and painted with red oxide paint. Arno fitted the overhauled vacuum cylinder to the flat wagon and the brake gears were fitted over the put. A complete vacuum steel pipe was fitted and the brakes were adjusted. This wagon needs a few paint touch-ups to be completely restored. We have stencilled the remaining wooden crates that will be tied onto the new restored flat wagon.
Here are some photos of the new Flat wagon:

B-WAGONS NUMBERS 1629, 2436, 1812:
This three B-wagons was completely sandblasted. New bearings were fitted and the vacuum cylinders were removed and overhauled by Arno.

The overhaul of the vacuum cylinders includes, a new roll ring, new neck ring, Neck ring housing gasket and cylinder cover ring. New vacuum release valves were also fitted.

Ben spray-painted the B-wagons completely and they are now ready to go over the put. We only needs to fit back the three overhauled vacuum cylinders, and fit brake blocks. The brakes will then be adjusted and a vacuum brake test will be done. We then need to paint the handbrakes with yellow paint and will complete the restoration on three B-wagons. We shall have 13 B wagons restored after this three is completed.
It would look spectacular working a train up the Pandora embankment with 13B wagons with a brake van at the end.

3'6" WAGONS:

WAGONS FROM FICKSBURG:
Six 3'6" wagons and three passenger coaches were roadworthy last Friday. Spoornet shunted them on Wednesday and they were moved to Vailima and Kommandonek respectively.

The three passenger coaches were left at Vailima and will be moved by road to be a part of the consists behind the Class 10Cr at the Hoekfontein Station.

THE MOBILE WORKSHOP:
The Mobile workshop was prepared to assist us with the movement of the three passenger coaches to Hoekfontein. This is a challenging and excited exercise that will take place in the next week.
Four 50 ton air jacks were loaded into the workshop and all the rest of the essential equipments and tools.

The Mobile workshop will be parked in the siding at Vailima Station and the full extend of the workshops ability's will be places into act to enable the movement of the almost 20 metre long, 37 tons coaches.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES: INSTALLATION OF SOFTENER HOUSES: Henry just needs to finish the third softener house, almost completed. The other two are already spray painted in a green livery. Len will give the quotes to do the cement works at each water column. As soon as this is done, we can mount the softener houses to the cement foundations and then we will be able to mount the softeners into the houses. The softeners will ease up the wash outs of boilers, for all the undesired elements will be trapped inside the softeners and will not enter the boilers anymore.

COSMETICAL UPGRADING OF DISPLAYED STATIONARY BOILERS:
Jacob started with the cosmetically upgrading of the three stationary boilers on display. He have started with the one at the admission blocks and will proceed to the two standing near the end of the polo field.

TRAINING:
Training is certainly one of the aspects that will never reach the end of the line. We are holding a safety meeting each Friday morning and then have a lecture on operating safety for the last half hour of the Friday shift.

CERTIFICATES:
Des Clark has attended the first aid coarse and have past the required examination to get his certificate in First aid.

Derrick van Zyl has past his fireman training and was issued with a fireman certificate by Spoornet.
Here is Derrick, smiling ear to ear, in front of the locomotive on which he has been passed as a fireman by the Locomotive inspector. This was done during the Avontuur Adventurer in the beginning of September.

The next step for him is to pass his exams on driving these magnificent machines.

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK:
1.) To move three coaches from Vailima to Hoekfontein.
2.) To spray weeds on railway line
3.) To finish three B wagons
4.) To fit fire bars to Kalahari.
5.) To finish third softener house
6.) To finish Barclay valve setting