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.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News RN 112 - Restoration of Feldbahn Locomotive progresses steadily The picture shows the boiler being hydraulically tested whilst simultaneously various components received the quality touch. This was undoubtedly the worst Feldbahn in the world but as far as the Sandstone Heritage Trust is concerned it is the only one that we have ever had in our workshops. We are delighted to be working on it on behalf of a Swiss customer.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News RN 115 - Sandstone continues to make progress with the restoration of ex Sena Peckett locomotive, No. 2161. Pictures released by Lukas Nel and his team clearly show the further progress being made. The steam turret, generator and additional piping has now been fitted. The Sandstone Heritage Trust would like to make special mention of the support that it has received from Graham Lee of Statfold Barn Railway Company. Graham Lee's team have been invaluable in providing technical information which has enabled Lukas to continue this restoration. We do not have a complete set of drawings of this locomotive and therefore we are using photographs and by having a dialogue with Graham Lee who restored a similar locomotive relatively good progress has been made.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News   RN 116 - The Cherry Festival Adventure! - Report by Gert Jubileus
Sandstone Steamed again this year for the well known annually held Cherry Festival. A total of eleven trains were run threw the spectacular landscape of the Eastern Free State from the foot of the Maluti mountains on the border of Lesotho to the top of Vailima through thousands of peach trees. A total distance of 30 km was travelled behind the massive Narrow Gauge Garratt locomotive that had to cope with gradients of 1/22 at some places. This very special week started with visitors who came with the well known Boon Safari trains. Ngg 16 number 153 was steamed for this day. The locomotive and coaches were ready at Vailima on 08h00 Wednesday morning and awaited the Boon Safari train.
The Boon train arrived at Vailima Station 09h00 the morning and the passengers boarded our train. The ride away was given and number 153 slowly brought the train to motion. We took the train to the top of Vailima Halt and preceded over the new extended line that connects at Pandora Junction, an awesome landscape unfolds on this new line as it proceeds to the Pandora Junction where the Railway line connects to the mainline to Hoekfontein. This train ran threw Hoekfontein to Grootdraai near the border of Lesotho and back to Hoekfontein again. After the train ride, the passengers were taken on a Farm tour and were taken to Ficksburg by bus. Photo below: A 34 Class diesel locomotive brought the Boon train from Bethlehem to Vailima.
The Cherry Trains
On Thursday and Friday we had three trains a day and on Saturday we had four trains. Ngg 16’s number 113 and 153 were steamed on these days. Because of the tight schedule of the trains, we decided to change the locomotive after each trip. This gave the fireman time to clean the fire and fill the water for the next trip. This saved a lot of valuable time with service stops. The trains were fully booked with a hauling capacity of 130 passengers at a time. The passengers were brought to the farm by use of taxis and some times by the use of big busses. On arrival the passengers were met by Babita Nathoo, who works for Sandstone at Sandstone’s Head office in Johannesburg. This very friendly girl helped all the passengers to fill in the indemnity forms before they boarded the train.
The passengers could visit the Waenhuis to buy refreshments before and after each train trip. Gillian Gallett, also from the Sandstone Head office, manned this shop. Coffee and tee was served and chips, sweets and cold drinks could be bought. Here below is friendly Gillian behind the counter in the Waenhuis.
Most passengers enjoyed a coffee break, while the rest walked around looking at all the old vehicles that were parked outside on display.
All kinds of souvenirs like T-shirts, Train videos, DVD’s and post cards and many more could be bought in Cathy’s shop near the old Waenhuis. This shop was run by Joanna Molyneux – Killik, also from the Sandstone Head Office in Johannesburg. Here below is our friendly Joanna inside Cathy’s shop in Hoekfontein Station.
Nikki Garnett, organised this special event and insured that everything went smoothly. She helped all the passengers to board the train and made sure that they were on time for their busses again. Here to the right is Nikki, also from the Sandstone Head Office in Johannesburg:
THE TRAIN RIDE
The whistle sounded and slowly the train came to motion steaming lightly out of Hoekfontein Station on the easier gradients to Grootdraai near the Lesotho border. While pulling out of Grootdraai, I could feel the difference in the weight of a fully loaded train. The train ran through Hoekfontein Station without stopping, all the way to Pandora crossing storming up the Pandora bank. At Pandora Junction the points was set to go anti-clockwise to Vailima Halt.
Even to me a new world on Sandstone unfolds while travelling slowly through all the peach trees on the hangs of the Mountain at Vailima Halt. If the passengers reached out, they could pick the sweetest peaches while the train proceeds slowly through the peach orchards around the sharp s-curves. This was “rest-time” for the train crew because it is downhill all the way to Vailima Station. All the kids living on Vailima near the farm school ran all the way at the side of the slow moving train. This was the best days of my life and I again realized how perfect the Railway line was planned. An adventure to all of us. One of the passengers comment the following: “We came all the way to the Cherry Festival, but Sandstone Estates is the Cherry on the Cake.” Because of the non stop running of the train, it was not needed to take any water at Vailima and we could return to Hoekfontein without any water stop. After the train arrived back at Hoekfontein, the passengers again had time to buy refreshments before they were taken on a Farm tour by Chris Wilson on his favourite Tractor.
Above and right are photos of Chris on his way with passengers on the Farm tour.
Chris took them on a tour through the Vintage shed first.
And then they all took a tour through the Steam Workshop at Hoekfontein where passengers could see the exquisite collection of locomotives.
After the tour, the passengers were taken back to Hoekfontein Station where it was time to say goodbye to a great adventure. Many thanks to all the friendly passengers. You really made our day!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO......
All these girls who worked very hard to make this event a huge success. You really made a great team and are a proof that Sandstone employs the best in the world. From left to right is : Joanna Molyneux-Killik, Nikki Garnett, Babita Nathoo and Gillian Gallett. Special thanks to Hester Papenfus and Terry Reilly who also helped us make this a great success.
FROM THE PAST
Here is a 15 F number 3026 storming up the Harmony bank near Virginia, with driver Hannes Coetzee and Fireman myself . This photo was taken by Steve Harding August 1990 only a few months before they withdraw Steam from the Virginia depot. On this very day we overloaded this 15 F with 900 tons on the Virginia – Glen Harmony line. Even the 34 Class diesel locomotives could not cope with this load. Nothing can be compared with Steam power. These were the days when the Railways used to be Railway.
PLANNING FOR THE WEEK
1.) To convert B wagons to FZ’s 2.) To spray paint 19D cab 3.) To service 19D spares for Bloemfontein 4.) To go on with the Douglas locomotive 5.) To restore water tank from Eastern Cape 6.) To paint service put 7.) To do repairs on locomotives 153 and Kalahari 8.) To fit mechanical lubricator to Decauville locomotive 9.) To wash out Little Bess and the Decauville 10.) To pull 45 lb rail out of Pandora 11.) To paint Railway sign boards 12.) To finish the third flat wagon 13.) To pack Freight loads on wagons 14.) To do weed spraying over the entire Railway line.
STEAM GREETINGS... GERT!

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 117 - A brilliant old photo from Raymond Alborough - some history of an NGG 115

At our recent Cherry Festival event, one of our visitors was Raymond Alborough and his daughter. Raymond kindly brought with him the picture below of an NGG 115, which he drove for 20 years many years ago.

The NGG115 taken as new in the factory, date unknown

Below: From left to right; Raymond Alborough, Gert Jubileus, Des Clark, Derek van Zyl and William discuss the NGG113 and the NGG115 and exchange stories

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 118 - A letter from Quinten Pendle, he reports on the recent Cherry Festival Event at Sandstone

On Tuesday, 15 November, we departed from Pretoria station, (Spoornet never deviating from it's reputation), late as always. We were bound for Ficksburg, via Majuba, Van Renen, Ladysmith, and Bethlehem. Just outside Heidelberg station, we heard the sound of a stone, hitting a window in the passage of our coach, and of course, breaking it. This really set us off on an eventful 3 days!

However, as the day progressed, so did we, with little more action.

Late the afternoon, almost during sunset, we approached Majuba pass. It was amazing how you could just feel the presence of this mighty mountain, not necessarily of it's hight, but maybe more because of it's historical value. And as the sun started to set in the west, we entered the beautiful landscape of Natal.

You could smell the grass as it swayed to and fro in the light breeze, and as Dulcie our tour guide said, you felt like singing "Groen is die land van Natal" in your heart. Later that evening, and quite suddenly, the train came to an abrupt stop in the middle of nowhere. I assume there must have been some wetland or water next to the train, as you could hear hundreds of diffrent frogs and crickets, masterly performing a nocturnal symphony. For a moment it seemed as though everything and everyone got deadly quiet and listened, and drank in the breeze. And then, almost majestically, a full moon rose over the clear, wide open African sky. And I knew, God was there ... God was watching ... and listening!

Just after eleven that same night, we went through van Renens Pass. Although it was dark, you could feel each and every twist of the route, as the train curled and swirled around the bends and through the
tunnels. The rest of the trip to Bethlehem, and later to Ficksburg, was uneventful, and I spent the time, drifting off to a peaceful, thankful sleep.

The next morning, at Sandstone, a narrow gauge steam train awaited us. With childish excitement, I climbed onto the train. And when the whistle blew, and that little train started to move, I felt my heart beating in harmony with that of the little engine. How I absolutely drank in each and every moment on board that little
train!

Here wasn't only an engine working! It had a heart, and maybe, a soul. It's heart was beating, powerfully.

Later that morning, and very much to my surprise, someone organised that I could go and have a ride in the cab itself. I could hardly believe my ears and my luck, but I wasted no time in getting to the locomotive. When I climbed on board, Gert, the driver of the loco, welcomed me and showed me around. I was impressed by the way he and his crew handled the loco and train, and I knew that they really had a passion for these machines, and that these were in good hands. As if it wasn't enough, Gert suggested that I handle the loco and pull away. He showed me how to operate the regulator and the brakes, and ... I gave it a go. Fortunately for the rest of the passengers, they weren't on the train anymore. They were having tea, after which they went on a guided tour around Sandstone.

Back at the train, I released the brakes, and pulled up the regulator. There came one hell of a noise as the machine started thundering away, but ... we weren't really moving. Gert suggested that I should let go the regulator a bit, and ... there we started moving, at first slowly, but ever faster and faster. I couldn't believe it ... with the help of Gert, I got this train moving!

Later, on the bus back to Ficksburg, I said to Carin my wife, that now I've really had a dream come true, and that if God wanted to take me away at that very moment, I would gladly go, for I can think of very few
things on this Earth to do, that are worth more than what I received.

Thanks to Gert and Sandstone, I regard myself as being very honoured. Later that same night, those of us on the tour who are members of the SAR mailing list, got together for a photo and some chatter. It was wonderful meeting all the people behind the names on the list.

On day 3, we had a sudden opportunity to go back to Sandstone. I grabbed it with both hands. My wife went to the cherry festival itself, while I was steaming away at Sandstone. Dulcie, the tour guide of BTS, was kind enough to offer me some assistance around Sandstone. The rest of the day, we spent wandering around Ficksburg, at the cherry festival and back at the train.

Since we were in coach 18, right at the back, we were lucky enough to be right behind a class34, as it coupled onto the train. We fell asleep to the roaring sound of the engine, slowly winding it's way back to Bethlehem. And I suddenly realised that, God not only provides food, work, the basic things a human need. No, He sometimes gives us jewels, little moments to cherish and remember, to carry with you for the rest of your life.

Just thought I'd share this with you.
Regards
Quinten Pendle
PENDLE PRO
Klerksdorp, South Africa

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 119 - Weekly steam shed report - 20th - 26th November 2005

Weekly Activities - Locomotive Report

THE DECAUVILLE LOCOMOTIVE: Henry stripped and cleans the mechanical lubricator for this very special locomotive. The little mechanical lubricator was painted and all the brass on it was cleaned. Henry then fitted the mechanical lubricator to the Decauville.
NGG 16 NUMBER 153 Derrick and I started with the repairs that were needed on 153. All the tarot spindle packing nuts were packed, and steam leaks were rectified. When we last used this locomotive, I realized that she was very thirsty on water and mean only one thing, piston rings. We first inspected the valve rings that are still in good condition, and then we pulled all the piston heads to inspect the piston rings. All four pistons were pulled out and we managed to fit new rings on all. We also found that the one piston head was way too small and had to fit a spare piston head to that cylinder. We now only have to do one last ring to finish this. Indeed a mission. This also was the best time to do the piston packing as well as inspecting the lubrication to the cylinders. This locomotive was the first NGG 16 on the Sandstone Steam Railway and really was the one mostly used.
THE 19 D CAB Henry spray painted the 19D cab black again. As soon as the Cole's Crane is back in operation, we shall move the cab to the inside of the shed. We then shall start with the building of the cab for display purposes. LOCOMOTIVES FROM RECTANGA JUNCTION: Arno and Leon left for Ratanga Junction last Sunday to collect another two NGG 16 locomotives. They are expected to be back on Sunday and we then shall offload the Garratts and wagons that were bought from Ratanga Junction.
Wagon Restoration
FLAT WAGON 1699 Jacob welded the angle iron to this flat wagon and spray painted it. Vacuum goose neck pipes were welded as well. New vacuum hose pipes were fitted to the wagon and only needs a vacuum chamber pipe to be completed. Here is some photos of the restoration this week.
Henry is going to do a cosmetic upgrade of a Crawler that we are going to load onto this flat wagon. We restored it with the original steel floor to handle more load, like the Crawler. We now have three restored flat wagons and they all will be used together on one train, with different loads. Once this flat wagon is finished, Jacob will start with the restoration of the XC wagon, (Creosote wagon) B WAGON CONVERSION TO FZ Derrick started with the conversion of the 6 B wagons to Fz wagons. This wagons will be used on the harvest days on the 1st and 2nd of January 2005. First he welded channel iron to the sided to support the wooden planks that is to be used as the sides of the extension. Angle iron will then be welded in cross sections to give support to the sides of the wagon. Below is a photo of the conversion:
Other Restorations
TROLLEYS
Petrus is busy to do a cosmetically upgrading of all the push trolleys in the workshop. All the trolleys will be painted yellow. Once he is complete with this, he will do a cosmetic upgrade on all the jacks we have in the shed. Some of these jacks are really very old and special.
THE STEAM SHED: The inspection put was cleaned and painted this week. The paint on the floor in the put was mixed with grit to ensure a slip free surface. No locomotives or wagons will stand over this put except for if work needs to be carried out on the put. Once the third line is build inside the shed, we shall have enough space to store all the locomotives at the back of the shed and this will free up space for the workshop. Here are some photos of the inspection put, as well as the paint upgrading on the floors in the shed.
THE COAL DUST EXTRACOR: The coal dust extractor was put to the test just before the Cherry Festival trains. It worked great and all the coal dust was removed from the coal. The success was proved by the locomotives that just steamed great. We use less coal now because there is no coal dust that clogs up the fire anymore. We do not have the clinker forming due to the coal dust and it is also not needed to trim coal so often. The coal now runs freely down as the fireman shovel it into the firebox. Here are some photos of the Coal dust extractor in use:
The coal dust will now be bagged in 50kg bags and will be sold to brick factories. PULLING OF 45 LB RAIL: Ben is still busy with the pulling of rail out of Pandora. Once this is finished, he shall move 60Lb rail to Hoekfontein for the building of the new 2km line behind the shed to the dam.
Gardening
We are busy with the extending of our flower gardens around the shed. We have planted cosmos everywhere and I cannot wait to see all the flowers once they start growing.
From the past
An “S Class”- shunting in Germiston in 1976. The days when the Railways were Railways and Trains were trains! Note the short wagons in front of the Guards van.
Planning for next week
1.) To pull 45 lb rail 2.) To finish repairs on 153 3.) To modify B wagons to FZ wagons. 4.) To build the Douglas Locomotive cab 5.) To finish the painting of all the Railway sign boards 6.) To fit new sign boards in the Vintage 7.) To finish the painting of floors in the shed. 8.) To cosmetically upgrade Crawler 9.) To offload NGG 16 Garratts and wagons from Ratanga Junction. 10.) To finish third flat wagon. 11.) To pack freight stock for Harvest Festival. 12.) To go on with the restoration of the water tank Eastern Cape. 13.) AY restoration. 14.) Restore the big pot 15.) Gardening (Flower garden) 16.) To start with restoration of XC wagon. 17.) Weed spraying over entire Railway line.
STEAM GREETINGS, GERT!

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 120 - Beaulieu Light Railway

Plans to establish a narrow gauge steam railway on the Beaulieu Estate were announced this month by Lord Montagu’s son Ralph at the annual Estate Dinner. The project could see Beaulieu’s historic motoring theme extended to one of vintage transport on road and rail, with steam trains transporting visitors around the Estate in a style reminiscent of a now bygone age.


The first step will be to carry out a feasibility study which will include an evaluation of possible routes and how the project might be implemented in stages. Other important parts of the process will involve talking to local residents and the statutory authorities, starting with the New Forest National Park Authority.


“There will inevitably be a range of issues to discuss” said Ralph Montagu, “and I would be the first to admit that the project can only succeed if the environmental benefits of the railway are proved. Sustainability will be the guiding principle in undertaking this project. For example, I expect the railway to play its part in reducing the number of local car journeys, and we hope to fire the locomotives on a renewable fuel, namely wood supplied by the Estate’s Forestry department.”


Turning to the important matter of locomotives to operate the line, Mr Montagu announced an alliance with the Sandstone Heritage Trust in South Africa. This remarkable collection has as many locomotives and vintage agricultural vehicles as Beaulieu has cars, in addition to which there is an extensive narrow gauge railway serving the 12,000 acre Sandstone Estate.


In a programme aimed at exchanging both expertise and exhibits, the Sandstone Heritage Trust has indicated its willingness to loan a range of vintage locomotives to operate the line. “This is a very exciting partnership” explained Mr Montagu, “as the Sandstone collection has some of the oldest working 2 foot gauge engines in the world. This includes a 1899 0-4-0 Decauville and an 1895 4-4-0 Lawley. I drove both these very elegant engines with my wife Ailsa at Sandstone earlier this year and know they would be ideal for operating trains at Beaulieu.”

Like most steam railways in the UK, The Beaulieu Light Railway, as it is to be known, will be dependent on the support of local railway enthusiasts. Mr Montagu said he hoped that anyone with skills or expertise in railway planning, building or operating should make contact with his project team by visiting the website www.beaulieulightrailway.com

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 19.11.2005



Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News RN 122 - A short history on the Sandstone O & K - by Les Bray Below is a copied photo from an original colour photo taken about 1955 at Vogelstruisbult Gold Mine christmas tree of O & K 4102 . This loco started out at West Rand Consolidated Mines about 1910 , was sold to Vogels in 1936 and was retired when the mine railway was reguaged to 3ft 6in. The loco was apparently rebuilt about 1952 and was used at christmas time for various christmas tree's until the mine closed in1968, when it was transferred to West Driefontein Gold Mine. The loco was donated to Midmar Steam Railway in1990 where it operated until they closed down. It is now part of the Sandstone collection. I inherited the original photo from my late parents. I donated the photo to Midmar as I was a member there . The photo was published in their bi-monthly magazine with a short article I wrote, from which we scanned it. regards, Les Bray

In about 1955 at Vogelstruisbult Gold Mine christmas tree of O & K 4102

The O & K at Sandstone today. Photograph by David Benn

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 123 - Light Railways Magazine, Austrailia

Australia has a mature and professional railway tourism industry. From one end of the country to the other there are well run, attractive and interesting railways which reflect Australia's impressive railway history.

In a recent edition of Light Railways Australia we read about details of a National Rail Conference which was designed to bring all the role players together so that they could exchange ideas on how best to present themselves in the future. In the same edition there was a complimentary article on the Sandstone Heritage Trust which we have included with the permission of Light
Railways Australia.

The Sandstone Heritage Trust welcomes visitors to our little railway at any time.

Click on the thumbnails to read the articles

 

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News RN 124 - The Sandstone Heritage Trust announces the restoration of NGG16 NO. 88 This well know locomotive that was at one time the pride and joy of the Banana Express on the Port Shepstone to Harding line is due for re-build. Purchased from a private seller three years ago, the locomotive has been standing in the pre-rebuild line at the Sandstone Heritage Trust site at Hoekfontein in the Eastern Free State. The restoration will be undertaken as a joint project by our Bloemfontein workshops and by the running shed at Hoekfontein on the farm in the Eastern Free State. The advantage of restoring Garratts is that they come in three parts. All boiler work is carried out by our highly professional and experienced Bloemfontein team while much of the work on the engine units can be undertaken by our fitters on the farm. A spokesman for the Sandstone Heritage Trust stated that the reason for going ahead with the restoration work was the fact that at least two of the company's existing Garratts might well be leased in 2006 to operating railways, thereby creating a need for more locomotive power at Sandstone Estates in the Eastern Free State. With the wheat harvest about to commence the company's Garratts will be hard at work hauling large tonnages of grain from outlying farms to the central silos.

Fire cleaning ready for departure

No. 88 at Port Shepstone

No. 88 running around it's train

No. 88 taking on water

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 125 - The rescue of two NGG16 Locomotives from Ratanga Juction Theme Park

<<RN 131 - Read the update!

 Two NGG 16 locomotives, Nos. 110 and 112, manufactured by Beyer Peacock built in 1939, have been resting quietly at Ratanga Junction, a theme park on the outskirts of Cape Town. As a result of negotiations with the owners of the theme park, the two locomotives have been repatriated back to the Sandstone Heritage Trust in the Eastern Free State for restoration. The shopping centre requires a number of static exhibits and the Sandstone Heritage Trust will supply these during 2006.

We would like to commend the management of Century City Property Development (Pty) Ltd the owners of Cape Theme Parks (Ratanga Junction) and especially Mr. Greg Deans the MD and the Board of Directors
For their broad-minded approach to this situation. Locomotives that have sound boilers should be brought back to steam, while locomotives that are no longer capable of being restored should be allowed to end their days in dignity as symbols of a bygone era. All these alternatives escape the cutting torch; which is something that no steam preservationist is prepared to countenance.
We would like to thank Target Crane Hire, our drivers Leon Flynn and Arno Serfontein, Andy Selfe who took time out to come and assist, and all the other people who made this move possible. Taking big locomotives out of the centre of an active theme park is a difficult challenge.