These photos of the final drive in the Bagnall are all just part of a long list of "Snakes and Ladder" repairs on this project - just when you think you are finished with a particular section you discover some small problem hidden away somewhere in the insides of the beast and you have to start all over again!

In this case everything had been assembled and when Zach and his team ran a test, they discovered a slight movement in the "drop box" - which is the green box in the foreground.

Not content with the locos already on hand for restoration at Sandstone’s Bloemfontein facility, Lukas Nel has now picked up the pace with the simultaneous restoration of no less than five 2ft narrow gauge locomotives!

The three ex Angola 500mm gauge O&K locos have been moved to Bloemfontein together with NGG16 no: 88. They join ex-Illovo Sugar 0-4-2T no: ISE3 for a restoration initiative which should see all 5 completed by early 2008.
Whilst all this activity takes place, ex Lorraine Gold Mine 3’6” gauge 19D no: 2654 is also well into the restoration process.
ISE3 and NGG16 no: 88 will require some masterful work but are a simple exercise compared to the 500mm Angola locos. Politely described as unrestorable scrap by many who have seen the locos, Lukas Nel will have to contend with boilers that are seemingly beyond repair and components “welded” to the frames by about 60 years of extensive corrosion in the Angolan bush.
Nevertheless, nothing fazes the indubitable Mr. Nel and we can look forward to some new locos on the Sandstone line in the not too distant future. Look out for our progress reports on the Sandstone website at www.sandstone-estates.com.

These pictures show the three O&K locomotives being delivered to our restoration workshop in Bloemfontein.

These three characters have been waiting patiently for their turn in the restoration line – now the wait is over.
Components for an NGG16, were also being delivered on this particular day.

The Bloemfontein team has already stripped the tubes from the NGG16 No. 88 boiler.
The wheels are being stripped off the three O & K locomotives to be cleaned simultaneously.
We will keep you updated!

SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
RATANGA GARRATT LOCOMOTIVE RESTORATION:
This week we made huge progress with the cosmetic upgrading of the Garratt locomotive for Ratanga Junction. All the driving wheel axle boxes were cleaned and all the old axle box wool were removed and replaced with new soaked wool. The boxes then were fitted back onto the driver axles. The next step was to fit the wheels back into the engine unit frames. With our 10ton Forklift, it was no problem. We aligned the wheels and spaced them the required distances from each other and slowly let the unit frame down to allow the boxes to slide in-between horns in the frame. This needs a good eye and proper alignment and to ease the operation, the wedges were loosened and adjusted down to wider the gap between the horns.
After we fitted the three driver wheels into the frame, we secured the horn stays to allow us to lift the complete engine frame again to fit the pony wheels. The same was done with the second engine unit. While we were busy fitting the wheels, Menasse and his team sandblasted the tank and bunker of the units. The tank and the bunker then was spray painted and fitted onto the units. The engine springs were fitted and the motion prepared to be fitted as well. Both the cowcatchers were removed and were taken into the workshop for proper repairs.
Below left: Menasse and team fitting back the cleaned brass boxes.
Below right: The horns were greased before the wheels with boxes were fitted back.

Sandstone Heritage Trust have nearly completed the collection of all Narrow Gauge wagons that they purchased on a scrap tender in Natal. These were basically wagons that had been abandoned along the many branch lines in the area, mostly between Port Shepstone and Harding. Once the wagons have been lifted inland to the Free State they become much more expensive to export. We are therefore reminding our readers that wagons and spare parts can be purchased while they are in Natal.
Details of what is available is attached.

Class 15F number 3007 is one of the 11 remaining NBL built Class 15F locomotives to escape the cutters torch. The NBL Preservation Group in the UK was formed in 1990. The aim of these society members is to repatriate North British Steam Locomotives from around the world to the UK where these Giant Machines were “Born”. Long before these last two years, which had devastating effects on Steam locomotives, these people already had a plan to save what they could.
When the THF decided to scrap these locomotives, Lukas Nel stood up and shunted 3007 out of the line of locomotives to be scrapped. He refused to let 3007 go under the cutters torch, and with faith in hand together with his undying love for 3007, he sourced someone to buy this lovely machine. Number 3007 was saved and bought by the NBL Preservation Group. She was not the only good Class 15F and most of the Locomotives in Bloemfontein were in good mechanical and operational condition when they were withdrawn from service in 1988, “Black August” as it is known.
A sad end for many good Locomotives in South Africa.
On Friday the 15th of June 2007, number 3007 began her journey through the Free State on her way to the Durban harbour where she will be loaded and shipped to the UK. She will be home mid July, saved from the Locomotive slaughters.

An update of her journey over the great ocean will soon be available on the NBL Preservation Group website: www.nbloco.net or contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are able to help in any way, please contavt Joanna Molyneux-Killik at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Arrangment , Pipe Arrangement or Spare part drawings are requested for the following:

STEAMING NEWS FROM A FROZEN SANDSTONE ESTATES

Despite frozen weather and heavy snowfalls, we managed to move four wagons from Kommandonek to the Farm storage line in Hoekfontein Station.

Early on Monday morning we offloaded the coach that we moved from Kommandonek to the Farm. The wagon slept in the yard at Hoekfontein over the weekend. We removed some of the rail panels on the 3’6” storage line in Hoekfontein to allow us to have a open level place to reverse the wagon over the storage line.

After we removed the dolly wheels under the wagon, we rolled in the rear bogey of the wagon and slowly lowered the wagon while aligning the centre pin into the pivot of the bogey as illustrated below.

We then loosened the bolts keeping the wagon secured on the fifth wheel of our Freightliner and lifted the wagon with our new crane to a appropriate height to enable the Freightliner to drive out underneath the wagon as illustrated below.

The front bogey was then placed on the rail where the freightliner was standing and was rolled in under the wagon. The wagon was then lowered onto the front bogey. The wagon was then hooked with a sling and pushed onto the rest of the consist behind the Class 10CR

We immediately moved all our equipment to Kommandonek to load the next wagon. Six goods wagons will be moved on the same way but will be offloaded on the 3’6” Storage line at the Waenhuis.

Two goods wagons were hooked with a sling and moved forward to the loading place at the stop block end of the line with the help of a tractor. The braking gears were uncoupled and removed from under the wagon. The pivot rings were loosened and removed to enable us to separate the wagon from his wheels.

The wagon was lifted and the front bogey was removed. The Freightliner reversed in under the wagon. The wagon then was lowered unto the fifth wheel and secured with bolts.

Below: Arno securing bolts on the fifth wheel.

The dolly wheels were brought closer before we lifted the rear of the wagon. The rear bogey was removed and the Dolly wheels were fitted in under the wagon. The wagon was secured on the dolly wheel frame and we were ready to depart, taking the wagon on her journey to her new home on the Farm.

Below left: The first goods wagon taking the tar road to the Farm.

Below right: The wagon arrived at her new home next to the Waenhuis.

Below: The offloading of the wagon with threatening snow clouds hanging low.

This wagon then was moved all the way down on the storage line.

The next wagon was loaded on the same way but all wagons differ when loading them due to different frames, braking gears and sometimes pipes or side steps that were in the way.

Below : A centre pin with a quarter.

Below : A photo taken of the dolly underneath the wagon.

The second wagon on the way to the Farm!

This wagon was offloaded and moved down on the storage line hooked onto her sister wagon that was offloaded the day before.

Below: A photo taken from the side.

We loaded the third wagon and offloaded it on the same storage line. Below are some interesting photos of the loading.

Below: The third wagon being offloaded!

Below left: The next two wagons were moved to the loading place with a John Deer Tractor.

Below right: The Guards Van being loaded.

Below: The Guars van loosing her wheels!

The Guars van on her way to the storage line next to the Waenhuis!

The Van arrived on the Farm late Friday afternoon and will be offloaded on Monday morning.

STEAMING ON SANDSTONE  

This Saturday we had a visit from one of our V.I.P guests, Michael Whitehouse. We steamed the Peckett early on Saturday morning to have great photo opportunities with the early morning sun.

Below : The Peckett greeting the Semaphore signals with the Maluti Mountains in the backdrop. Quite a place to call heaven!

Below : The Peckett taking an early morning break in Hoekfontein Station!

Below: Michael enjoying a hands on, keeping a sharp lookout on the little two foot line rolling in underneath the locomotive as we raced towards Hoekfontein Station!

Below: Michael and Pat Ackerman posing at the side of a beautiful lady!

THE BSA RAILCAR:  

Derrick is working fulltime with the construction of the frame work needed on the BSA Railcar. Progress is slow but the end effect will be remarkable.

We left Derrick home alone at the Steam shed to work on the BSA Railcar. He is currently busy with the left side of the frame work on the car and will finish it soon.

A light was fitted in the headlight of the Class 10CR in the Station as well as a cab light. Only needs a little steam blowing from underneath to make her look well and alive!

OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK!
 

·        To move wagons from Kommandonek.

·        Ratanga wagon restoration.

·        Ratanga locomotive restoration.

·        BSA restoration.

STEAM GREETINGS
THE
STEAM TEAM