Railway Heritage

RN372 - The Edwardian Experience Report - 20th - 23rd April 2007 - By Gert Jubileus

As the sun rises over the Mountains on a chilly Saturday morning, the silhouette of ox wagons symbolize a long gone era, which we are to simulate on this very special day. A forgotten era where ox wagons, old cars and traction engines were part of the everyday life with Steam locomotives in the backdrop and almost the only way of transport during those years. Those were the days when time really did not matter and when families spend precious times together. A different time, a different era with different cultures.

 
A Selection of vintage vehicles and machinery were on display all over the Estates and made everyone to travel back in time.
A Selection of vintage vehicles and machinery were on display all over the Estates and made everyone to travel back in time.
A Double headed mix train steamed into the Hoekfontein Station. On the rear locomotive driver Anton Bosch and his stoker and wife Frana were eager to assist with holding our Edwardian Express over the Mountains.
Below: Driver Anton Bosch. A warm steam Welcome to our new volunteer couple!
Below: Stoker Frana Bosch
Below: Number 153 and 49 just before departure of the Edwardian Mix train.
After a roundtrip, the double headed Garratt locomotives detached with the freight wagons. The 1895 Lawley Locomotive then took our passenger train on a journey to Grootdraai.
All our passengers were dressed for this special occasion!
The Lawley really steamed us back into time!
Below: Dave Richardson and John Middleton.
Photo taken April 1933!!!
Driver At and Stoker Shaun, ready to travel back in time!
At Grootdraai our guest was treated with savory while the ox wagon moved past them.
We steamed the NG 4, new to the collection of locomotives at the Sandstone Steam Railway to work a early morning photographic train. The Ng 4 first performed run pasts on the Grootdraai section and the on the line to the Pandora embankment. With driver Pat Ackerman behind the controls, the Ng 4 made a spectacular show for the photographers at the line side.

Below: The NG4 storms past the Home signal of Hoekfontein Station!
Below: The train slowed down for the Hoekfontein Mainline points
NGG 16 number 153 raised steam in the very early morning, bounded to work a mix train on a round trip for the photographers.

Below: Photos taken in the magic moments of the nights!
Below: Derrick keeping an eye on the TLB coaling the locomotive.
Below: 153 replenished her appetite for water at Vailima Siding.
Below: The Lawley awaits the passengers to climb over from the Express train. The Lawley then took the Rovos passengers on a journey to Grootdraai and back.
At the end of the day sister locomotive 153 rescued the little Lawley on the ash pit and shunted her into the shed.
This was the end of a great weekend!!!
 
FROM THE PAST
CLASS 19D number 2692 taking water at Winburg Station just before she departed with a short mix train in May 1979. The 19D’s ruled the 45km branch line between Theunissen and Winburg on a daily base from Monday to Saturdays.

The Time Table was as follows:

Depart THN 09H15
Arrived Winburg 10H45
Depart Winburg 13H20
Arrived THN 14H50
The 19D shunted the Theunissen Station and Mills till late at night.
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK
1. To clean all locomotives that were used this weekend
2. To clean all the coaches
3. To shunt 113 to the inspection pit for repairs
4. To go on with the restoration of the XC wagon.
5. To do repairs on the Feldbahn
6. To clean all ashpits
7. To prepare the Lawley for train tour on Friday
8. To repair the roof of 2834
9. To overhaul vacuum cylinders for wagons.
10. To strip Ratanga wagon completely.
11. To spray the Railway line for weeds.

RN373 - The Port Shepstone to Harding Line, the infrastructure, the locomotives and probably the rail continue to evaporate

One should reflect on the fact that the NG4, which was nothing more than a derelict chassis, was plucked…" The NG4 is now complete and is anything but derelict.

This week the Sandstone Heritage Trust will remove its Hunslet diesel shunter pictured here as well as its 10-ton Hyster forklift from the site. We are very sad to have been part of the process by which this world renowned facility has slowly been dismantled, both by nature and by its custodians, namely Spoornet. However, all the survivors were rescued.

One should reflect on the fact that the NG4, which was nothing more than a derelict chassis, was plucked from the same site and is thanks to Lukas Nel and his team currently bring much joy to many people.

The NG4 is now complete and is anything but derelict.

RN374 - NGG Garratt locomotives at Umzinto, Natal

Dick Manton, who is a good friend of the Sandstone Heritage Trust, has kindly sent us these photos of NGG 86, 112, 137, 150 and 152 at the Umzinto transit shed on 21st March 1986.

It is interesting to reflect on what a superb narrow gauge system must have existed throughout Natal in those days.

RN375 - Taking a look back at original photographs taken at Sena Sugar Estates

Taking a look back at original photographs taken at Sena Sugar Estates. All the photographs were taken at Marromeu, Peckett 2161/No. 14 on June 9 1975 and Feldbahn 498/No. 2 on June 14 1975.


Credits due to Geoff Cooke for the Photographs from his Sena collection.

RN376 - Railway Touring Company/Rovos Rail visit to Sandstone 22/23 April 2007 - Dave Richardson

Following on from last years successful visit to Sandstone, the Railway Touring Touring Company again chartered Rovos rail for another steam tour of South Africa. In 2006 the tour was plagued by problems with Rovos’ oil burning 25NC 3484 but this did not deter the organisers from putting on a more ambitious programme to run from Port Elizabeth to Victoria Falls. Sadly disaster was looming and a few days before departure of the “positioning” train to PE the tour was suddenly “cancelled” by Spoornet. More correctly the use of steam in South Africa was disallowed. This followed the sudden departure from Spoornet of the Steam Curator and an emergency meeting between the steam operators, HRASA and Spoornet to discuss “the future” of steam in South Africa. Although this process is still ongoing at the time of writing, the RTC tour did run from PE to Sandstone with electric and diesel traction proceeding on to Pretoria where oil burning 25NC 3484 and coal burning 25NC 3442 headed north with the train to Zimbabwe albeit towed in light steam behind electric and diesel traction.
NG4 No. 16
Two half day programmes were planned at Sandstone with the newly outshopped NG4 No. 16 hauling a train to Grootdraai after the visitors had taken refreshments and visited the workshops at Hoekfontein. The next morning was a full tour of the system starting at sunrise behind NGG16 No. 153.
NGG16 No. 153
It was a very gloomy looking group who arrived at Hoekfontein on Sunday 22nd April with many guests suffering from severe steam deprivation. After a short tour of the workshops and a welcome cup of tea, the guests boarded the train for the run to Grootdraai behind the NG4. NGG16 #153 was also parked in Hoekfontein and the sight of these two narrow gauge locos seemed to have an uplifting effect on all the guests. A number of runpasts were done to add greater value and at the return to Hoekfontein there was a definite lift in the mood of the party. A traditional South African braai and a few drinks helped keep the smiles going.

On Monday morning 153 was ready to run at 06h00, well before, sunrise and nearly 20 runpasts were achieved as the train traversed the whole railway, including the little used Vailima loop. After a further wander around the Sandstone collection, Lawley BR7 ran a trip to Grootdraai to conclude what had been the highlight of the tour so far. Judging from the smiles and thankyous Sandstone had given all the guests exactly what they wanted, steam.

Hopefully the steam access issue will be resolved and South Africa will be able to host similar tours in the future.

RN377 - Sandstone class GMAM garratt heads for her new home in Germiston

On Friday, 27th April, Sandstone's GMAM, No. 4079, moved to Reefsteamers.

The GMAM was on a lend/lease agreement with Rovos Rail. However, the demands on Rovos in terms of continuous traction to pull tourist trains were somewhat at odds with the objectives of the Sandstone Heritage Trust. The Trust locates, rebuilds and maintains locomotives in working condition on the basis that they will be maintained in original specification condition. Because the GMAM had by necessity become a workhorse at Rovos Rail it was decided to step the locomotive down and to basically take it back into preservation. This means it will be available for very specialised excursions from qualified operators (including Rovos Rail as required).

There is a much more stringent and comprehensive maintenance regime at Reefsteamers where the primary objective is the care of the locomotives under their jurisdiction. Rovos Rail, being a very successful and internationally acclaimed tourist railway, must keep the wheels turning and therefore it is not necessarily the ideal long-term base for a rare locomotive in preservation.

All the above is of course overshadowed by the Draconian measures taken by Spoornet recently to eliminate Main Line steam in South Africa. This was also a factor in moving the locomotive to Reefsteamers.
Our thanks to Nathan Berelowitz for his photographs and for the following update
One way to fit a long locomotive on film is a wide angle lens!

Sandstone class GMAM Garratt heads for her new home in Germiston, on the front of a double header passenger train. Behind her is Reef Steamers 15F 3016 which is returning with the excursion from Cullinan.
Driver Piet Steenkamp, has the beast firmly under control.
April 28th 2007
Coupling up at Capital Park yard.

The GMAM belonging to Sandstone gently couples onto the 15F 3016 of Reef Steamers, which had just brought in an excursion train from Cullinan.
The GMAM has now been relocated to Germiston, having served some time at Rovos Rail in Pretoria.
April 28th 2007
GMAM NO 4079 relocates to REEFSTEAMERS GERMISTON

Smoking out of Capital Yard with the last light of winter, a magnificent combination of locomotives and colour schemes. Green painted Sandstone GMAM, blue painted 15F of Reef Steamers and a rake of red and grey coaches trailing behind. The double header is enroute to Germiston, on a movement accomodating an excursion train returning from Cullinan and the trasnsfer from Rovos Rail, of the GMAM.

Our thanks to Nathan Berelowitz for story and pictures.
April 28 2007

RN378 - Weekly Steam Report - by Gert Jubileus. 24th - 28th April 2007

SANDSTONE STEAMS AGAIN!
On Friday the 27th of April we steamed the Little Lawley for Koos Moorcraft Touring group. We had a taste of early winter on this morning in the Eastern Free State with clouds storming in over the Maluti Mountains. The 1895 Lawley was steamed early on Friday morning to haul a short passenger train from Hoekfontein Station to Grootdraai. She was polished to a shining little star, but the rain soon messed up her brass jewelry. The train departed at 09H15 and returned to Hoekfontein after a short photo shoot where the Lawley proudly posed for the passengers.
Below Left: The Lawley, shining strar!
Below Right: Henk de Bruin behind the controls of the Lawley.
Below: The Lawley on her way to couple a PE coach in the Wagon Shed.
Below: The Lawley just before departure standing in the beautiful Hoekfontein Station.
Below: The Laley posed for a group photo in the balloon at Grootdraai.
SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

THE FELDBAHN:
Henk repair the broken spring hanger on the Feldbahn driver wheel. The Locomotive was jacked and the spring hanger was adjusted to insure an even spread weight over the driving wheels of the Feldbahn. He also rectified the little problem on the mechanical lubricator and bored another hole to adjust the stroke of the lubricator to ensure the correct oil feed to the cylinders.
Henk adjusting the spring hanger.
The stroke of the mechanical lubricator.
Below: Henk then removed the regulator valve to face the valve and the seat.
SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY WAGONS
XC 2227:
Derrick fitted a complete new steel vacuum pipe with goosenecks to the XC Creosote wagon. He also fitted new steel and rubber chamber pipes and removed the vacuum cylinder to be overhauled. Ben overhauled two vacuum cylinders and one will be fitted onto the XC in next week. This wagon will receive a complete under frame restoration with paint touchup in next week.
Right & above: The almost completed XC wagon.
NG G WAGON NUMBER 2834
Wagon number 2834 was shunted to the shed for repair work that was needed to the roof. Ben stripped of the old roof planks and fitted new ones. He then secured the end sides with angle iron.
Below: Ben fixing the roof of 2834.
Below: Angle iron was fitted on the side end to secure the planks.
THE FLAT WAGON
The Flat wagon was inspected this week and all the work needed to be done to this wagon was written on the frame with white chalk. This wagon will need a lot of grinding work to the frame because it originally was a ST wagon.
FROM THE PAST
Since the early 1900’s there was a Steam revolution all over the world. Locomotive builders from all over the world had their hands full with the demand for new locomotives, but what the Locomotive builders didn’t know, was that they made machines that are so alive and that they all had their own personalities even if they were of the same class. They had a heart and a soul. These machines became the pride of their drivers and for most of the drivers they were loved more than they could love their own wives!
They ruled over mainlines and shunting yards and really built the Railways. All over South Africa these locomotives are being slaughtered with cutting torches, with no respect for killing their souls. Silent and with fear they await in dumping yards to be cut, forever they will be gone.
Man made these giant machines, but God gave them living souls!
Locomotives in Bloemfontein and Beaconsfield are being cut up on this moment and we await photos that will appear in the weekly report soon.
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK
1.) To finish restoration of the XC wagon.
2.) To finish repair work on 2834 roof and to paint.
3.) To overhaul vacuum cylinders.
4.) To finish repair work on Feldbahn regulator.
5.) To do repair work on 113.
6.) To change engine springs on 113.
7.) To test traction of 113 on the Pandora embankment.
8.) Train tour on Friday ( Koos Moorcraft)
9.) To push all wagons and locomotives together on storage line.
10.) To clean all level crossings
11.) To clean locomotives and coaches for tour.

RN379 - Weekly Steam News - by Gert Jubileus. 29th April - 4th May 2007

SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
CLASS NGG 16 number 113:
This week our prestige locomotive number 113 was shunted outside the shed for a spring change on both units. A Total of 10-driver wheel springs and one pony wheel spring was changed. We first changed the driver wheel springs and then found that one pony spring was broken on the front unit.
Number 113 suffered with her front unit slipping very easily. After close inspection we found the driver springs had collapsed after all the years and resulted in the weight being transferred to the pony wheels of the units. This problem lead to inadequate weight on the driver wheels and very low adhesion because of this. Spare springs were used and the old ones were replaced. The old springs were marked and will be sent away for re-tensioning.
We first jacked up the front unit to relieve the weight on the springs to ease removal.

Below: Derrick and Henry jacking number 113's front unit.
Below: 113 on jacks and the quarter on the spring hanger removed to take out the spring.
Below: Because of the limited space to reach the springs, we needed to really "Get into it!".
Below: The broken pony spring on 113
Below: We are very fortunate to have all spares available. Henry fitted the new pony spring to 113
After fitting the new springs to the front unit, we jacked up the rear unit.
A total of 6 driver wheel springs were fitted to the rear unit.

Below: Henry lining up the jacks before jacking up the rear unit.
This however was not the last attention 113 needed.
After the daunting task of replacing the springs on 113, she was shunted to the inspection pit for all her wedges were loosened before we could jack her and needed to be adjusted again.
Her under frame was then inspected with a hammer and all loose nuts were secured.
All the steam pipes and ball joints were secured and two brackets were fitted to secure the steam pipes.
Below: Derrick adjusting the tension on the steam ball joints of 113.
NGG 16 Number 113 STEAMS AGAIN!
On Friday the 4th of May we steamed number 113 for the second Koos Moorcraft tour. This was a good opportunity to test number 113 as well as to log all running repairs needed on her.
Below: With a fire of gold she soon raised steam, eager to haul her train over the Mountains.
Below: Our new water treatment was thrown in before taking water.
This gives the treatment the opportunity to mix well into the water.
This water treatment neutralizes the PH in the water and also removes all oxygen within the water. With this treatment it is safe to stable a boiler with the water inside without the dangers of corrosion.
Below: Henry in front of his regular locomotive just before departure with a short passenger train to Grootdraai.
Below Left: Number 113 in Hoekfontein Station.
 Below right: 113 posing for a photo at Grootdraai.
After we returned from Grootdraai, we coupled up another four wagons and departed for the Pandora embankment where the traction of 113 was tested. We stopped at the most severe places on this embankment and 113 was able to pick up her load and then stormed over this mountain.
After we returned from Vailima, we shunted the Kalahari from the rear of the shed. The NG 15 will be shunted to the inspection pit in next week and will be inspected for visible defects.
NGG13 revealed a few running repairs that will be attend to in next week.
Below left: Number 113 shunting the NG 15 to the front of the shed.
Below right: Number 113, pushing all the wagons in the storage line together.
THE FELDBAHN:
Henk machined a new regulator valve for the Feldbahn and is almost finish with it. The new valve will be fitted and the Feldbahn regulator will then be tested.
Below: The Maskin Thule shaper is used with the facing of the new valve.
Below left: Henk facing the regulator seat of the Feldbahn.
Below right: The liner plate for the regulator valve.
SANDSTONE WAGONS
This week we finished the restoration of our XC wagon and she is now ready to be used on our consists.
A Overhauled vacuum cylinder was fitted as well as a new release valve. Vacuum rubber pipes and couplers were fitted. A complete braking gear overhaul was done and new brake blocks were fitted. The brakes were adjusted and the handbrakes were made workable. A Vacuum brake test and leak off test was done and she passed this tests.
Below: Oupa and Ben busy with the fitting of the overhauled vacuum cylinder.
This wagon also had a coupler change to the standard link and pin type.
Ben busy with paint touchups on the XC
New brake blocks to fit onto the XC
Below: Derrick changing the couplers of the XC
Below: Derrick, fixing the bend braking gears.
Below: The XC and 113.
WAGON number 2834
This week Ben painted the roof of this wagon and she is now ready to be used again.
VACUUM CYLINDERS:
This week Petrus and Ben overhauled eight vacuum cylinders. They will be painted in next week. These cylinders will be changed with defective ones, if it does occur and also on wagons under restoration.
Below: The vacuum cylinder overhauls!
Below right: New roll rings, cover joint rings, neck rings and nylon bushes.
FROM THE PAST!
Sometimes it is good to look back into the past to relive good memories. Below is our NG 15 number 17 on the Avontuur Adventure train. She hauled her train from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur and all the way back, almost 700 kilometers. All the little towns came to life when the NG 15 storms her way into the Stations. It brought back memories to the older people still living in these towns. This was a true adventure and although it is written up in history, we still know that number 17 is still echoing her voice in the Eastern Free State and is not standing in a dump yard to be cut up She is in good hands!
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK!
1.) Restoration of Ratanga wagon number 3
2.) 113 repairs
3.) Ng15 inspection.
4.) Restoration of Flat wagon
5.) Restoration of ST timber wagon.
6.) To shunt all unrestored wagons from Hoekfontein storage line into new storage line.
7.) To collect Hunslet in Port Shepstone.
8.) To Move semaphore signal for restoration.
9.) Track maintenance section Mooihoek to Vailima.
10.) NG 4 repairs to piston packings.
11.) To paint overhauled vacuum cylinders
12.) Couplet change to wagon 3197
13.) To finish regulator of Feldbahn
14.) To make new vacuum wasters
15.) To remove slack on curve at Vailima farm school.
16.) To clean locomotives, coaches and shed.
 
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RN380 - Reefsteamers Newsletter - May 2007

RN381 - The Sandstone Chronicles - Uncovering heritage treasure with Sandstone is released

Our long awaited new dvd release is out. Another fine production by Ron and Val Nell at Frameline Film & Television.

The Sandstone Chronicles Covers various aspects of Sandstone over approximately 137 minutes. An introduction to Sandstone, the development, locomotives and trains.

To order your copy of this magnificent dvd, if you are in South Africa - cost R125.00 - call Babita Hira on (011) 799 7400 or email her on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are ordering from the UK or anywhere else in the world - cost is GBP12.00, please email Joanne West on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RN382 - Sandstone Increases Preservation Effort at the Bloemfontein Workshops

At a time when main line steam in South Africa sits in a crisis over its future, the outlook for 2ft narrow gauge preservation looks better and better as Sandstone has increased its refurbishment capacity at its Bloemfontein facility under the direction of Lukas Nel and his team.

No less than four locomotives are to be moved from Hoekfontein for total restoration with a fifth locomotive being moved for some engineering updates.

The largest loco to move is NGG16 no: 88 (Cockerill 1936/3268). Of the four examples built by this manufacturer Sandstone has three while the fourth example, no: 87, is under restoration at the Welsh Highland Railway in the UK. Number 88 was purchased from a private owner, having worked on the now defunct Alfred County Railway in southern Kwa-Zulu Natal before being set aside.

Three ex- Angola O&K sugar estate locomotives are also to be put into the restoration queue. All are currently 500mm gauge but have their wheels keyed to the axles so that they can easily be regauged to 600mm.

The locomotives are:
0-6-0T O & K 1925 11112
0-6-0T O & K 1930 12140
0-6-0T O & K 1934 12493

The fifth locomotive is also from Angola and has already been restored and regauged to 600mm but requires some engineering work that will be best achieved in Bloemfontein.

The locomotive is an 0-4-0T O&K (1922/10311) from the same sugar estate as the three 500mm locos.
This initiative to put more locomotives back into working order demonstrates Sandstone’s total commitment to 2ft narrow gauge preservation in South Africa and the organisation’s faith in Lukas Nel and his Bloemfontein team.
All photos below courtesy of Errol Ashwell
No. 88 is serviced at Etosha during its time on the Alfred County Railway.
Taking water
At Port Shepstone
No. 88 running around her train

RN383 - Kerr stuart no 4063 - An update from Keith Stevens - May 2007

The Kerr Stuart Locomotive No. 4063 is progressing well. The last months work consisted of finally riveting up the main boiler shell i.e. finishing the outer wrapper of the firebox, riveting up the front tube plate and smoke box and fitting on the dome. We have fitted back into position the internal feed pipes and have expanded in a new regulator tube. Also this last month has consisted of a lot of machining work i.e. 150 firebox stays, 36 crown studs, 72 nuts for crown studs, 10 longitudinal nuts, 5 longitudinal studs, 1 thread gauge for the longitudinal stays. At this point in time the longitudinal stays are at Natal Inspection Services for x-raying. We have manufactured the former for the tube plate and backhead of the firebox, also numerous copper washers and set screws. We have re-furnished the firebox firder stays.
Riveting the boiler backhead.
Caulking the dome flange.
Riveting on the dome flange.
Copper washers and set screws for firebox longitudinal stays.
36 firebox crown studs.
Firebox stays.
Crown stud nuts.
Thread gauge for boiler
longitudinal stays.
Re-furbish firder stays.
Firebox tube
plate and backhead former.

RN384 - The true test of any locomotive restoration

The true test of any locomotive restoration is the steam test...here O&K Locomotive no 2510 passes her steam test with flying colours.

RN385 - Steam News 5th – 11th May 2007 - By Gert Jubileus

Sandstone Steam Locomotives - The Feldbahn
Henk finished the machining of the new regulator valve for the Feldbahn. He fitted back the regulator to the side of the dome and also fitted a valve and lubricator for the regulator on the regulator cover. The Feldbahn then was steamed and tested in front of the shed to evaluate the success of the new-machined regulator valve.
Below left: A view from above the new valve.
Below right: The lubricator and steam valve under the lubricator. The steam valve was fitted to enable us to fill this little lubricator while the locomotive is in steam.
Below: The Feldbahn was tested in front of the shed and the new regulator valve is working perfectly. The Feldbahn is now back in service!
CLASS NGG 16 NUMBER 113
After steaming number 113 last week, we found that there were quite a few steam leaks on the locomotive. We packed all the tarot spindle-packing nuts as well as the regulator gland of number 113.
Below left: Derrick securing the steam exhausts pipes under the smoke box of 113
Below right: The union nut on the ejector exhaust pipe was secured.
Below left: A broken brake block was replaced on the rear unit.
Below right: Derrick securing the vacuum chamber tank under 113.
We adjusted the wedges of 113 again after her test run last Friday. This was needed because all the boxes and new springs have settled in position after loosening her joints with the test train on the Pandora embankment.
After we finished 113 repairs on the inspection pit, we shunted the Kalahari to the pit for a under frame inspection.
CLASS NG 15 NUMBER 17:
The NG 15 was inspected with a inspection hammer, every nut is inspected and quite a few was found loose and were secured. The defects are written down on the locomotive with white chalk and once the repair is done, it is wiped out with cotton waste.

Below: The Kalahari on the inspection pit.
The tender and engine brakes were adjusted and new vacuum chamber pipes were fitted on the tender. The braking gears were removed on the tender and a new vacuum chamber steel pipe was fitted and re aligned. The release valve was removed and overhauled and was fitted back. All the axle boxes were opened and were repacked and oiled. The driver wheel keeps were secured and missing bolts were replaced. The engine braking gear adjustable pull rods were removed and were loosened on the bench and lubricated.

Below: Derrick removed the old chamber pipes and fitted new ones.
Below: The release valve being overhauled. A new diaphragm was fitted and the release valve was cleaned inside.
Below: The release valve was fitted back underneath the vacuum cylinder and the tender missing axle box cover bolts were fitted.
Below left: A special photo of the Kalahari’s motion.
Below right: The tender springs and spring hangers were inspected.
Above left: Derrick securing the engine axle box keep.
Above right and below: All the axle boxes were repacked and oiled. This was a good opportunity to inspect the axles and bearings inside the axle boxes.
THE LAWLEY:
All the little repairs that were needed on the Lawley were don this week. The regulator glad was pulled up as well as the left and the right piston and valve glands. The right side sand was made workable again. The sand pipe was removed to seek for the blockage in the pipe and found a little piece of cotton waste just below the sanding valve inside the sandbox.
Blow left : The left and right piston glands were pulled up.
Below right: The regulator gland also was pulled up to compress the rope inside.
Below Left: The inside of the Lawley’s sandbox.
Below right: The sand pipes were removed to seek for a blockage inside the pipe.
THE FUNKEY:
This week we used the little Fun key to move a huge tank. This tank is fitted under the ground and will be used to recycle the water we use for washouts. The water will first go through a filter and only clean water will go into this tank. From this tank the water will be pumped back into our wash out tank near the shed.
Below: The tank was loaded with our Coles crane onto a flat wagon. This was done because of limited space for the trailer on which the tank was loaded.
The flat wagon was shunted down to the front of the wagon shed where the Coles crane easily lifted the tank oft the wagon and into the hole.
A broken air pipe near the compressor of the Fun key was repaired this week. The compressor was loosened to gain access to this pipe.
Below: Derrick fitted back the air pipe and secured the compressor again.
SANDSTONE WAGONS
THE RATANGA WAGON:
Ben went on with the Restoration of the third Ratanga wagon that will be converted into a passenger wagon. The floor was stripped out and the wooden sides were removed. The old vacuum cylinder was removed and a overhauled cylinder was fitted back underneath this wagon. Ben then started to fit back the floor of this Rtanga wagon and secured the sides of the floor with angle iron. He removed the existing cattle wagon doors on both sides.
Below: Ben removing the floor of the Ratanga wagon and easily could remove the old vacuum cylinder from above.
Below left: Ben fit the overhauled vacuum cylinder.
Below right: Ben removed all the wooden planks from this wagon to replace them with better planks.
Below right: Ben fitted angle iron to secure the floor planks of the Ratanga wagon.
The floor will now be sanded to perfection and new wooden sides will be fitted to this wagon. A new steel frame will be made for the seats and new doors will be made. This wagon will be finished in two weeks time.
FLAT WAGON NUMBER 151
The restoration of this flat wagon is well underway. Arno and Derrick cut off the badly corroded handles of this wagon while Henk removed the stuck handbrake and will fix it.
All the unwanted plates that were fitted onto the former ST wagon is being cut of and the rough areas will be grinded for the frame to have a superb finish. The wooden floor will be sanded and the angle iron around the wooden floor will be painted with PWD brown paint.
Below: Henk busy cutting off the unwanted plates.
Below right: The plate was removed and the welding will be grinded.
WAGON NUMBER 3197
This wagon came over the inspection pit this week. The couplers were changed and the brakes were adjusted.
Below right: A photo of the old coupler just before removing it from the wagon.
We now only need to change the couplers on our Military Van and the two Little Bess coaches to complete the coupler changes.
VACUUM CYLINDER OVERHAULS:
Ben overhauled another two vacuum cylinders this week.
Below: Vacuum cylinders being overhauled!
This week the overhauled cylinders were sanded and painted with Red Oxide paint. A total of nine vacuum cylinders are finished and ready to fit.
Below: Petrus sanded and painted the cylinders.
GENERAL:
All the Semaphore signals arms were moved from the store at Vailima this week. Two Semaphore signals were moved for restoration.
This was not the end of our activities this week. We also did Track maintenances for two days and will follow in Part 2 of the weekly report.
 

RN385 - Special report - Track Maintenance - 5th – 11th May 2007 - By Gert Jubileus

This week we dedicated two days for extensive Track Maintenance on the Sandstone Steam Railway. The extent of the maintenance followed after a proper Track inspection. All defects were logged in our Track repair book.
Oupa last finished the section of line between Hoekfontein Station and Mooihoek points and we started with maintenance from Mooihoek points to Vailima and around the balloon to Pandora junction.
Everyone was given a separate task to do. Arno and Henk were securing all the fishplate bolts from Mooihoek points all around and went as far as Km post 7. They secured a total of 4000 fishplate bolts. Petrus secured the T bolts while Ben followed him with the oiling of the bolts. A total of 145600 T bolts need to be secured and oiled and they still have a far way to go. 145600 T bolts are very close to 14 ton of T bolts!
Below left: Petrus securing T-bolts.
Below right: Ben painting the T bolts at the points with Red Oxide paint
We at first started to paint the T-bolts with Red oxide paint for a longer solution, but found that it takes much longer than to oil them. With the heavy rainfall in this area, it is needed to oil these bolts more often and painting them will actually be much better and long lasting. The Red Oxide penetrates into steel and prevent corrosion from taking place.
Removing severe slacks on the Railway line were part of our maintenance plan. We stared with point’s number 18.
1.) Removed the slack over the points
2.) Removed the slacks on the north end of the points
3.) Removed the severe batter on the rail connected to the point.
4.) Greasing the point.
5.) Raking the ballast for a neat finish.
POINT NUMBER 18
Below: Note the slacks over this point and the severe batter at the point on the photo right:
We used a Duff rail jack to lift out the slacks over these points.
Below: Derrick jacking the rail in front of the points, lifting out the slack. Then the ballast is tamped underneath the sleepers.
Below: There were two major slacks over this point and were removed. The fishplates at the batter were loosened and then we lifted the rails with our Duff jack. This was exactly the place where one of the slacks was.
Below left: The fixed batter.
Below: A neat set of points.
Berlow: The slacks on the first ten meters of track were removed.
Below right: A long closed level crossing. We removed all the ballast between the rails!
CURVE 3:
The radius of this curve just below the Mooihoek level crossing was measured and calculated. The severe slacks were removed and the elevation of the outer rail on the curve was adjusted to the correct value according to Spoornet track standards.
CURVE 2:
This is the curve just before the Mooihoek crossing from the Hoekfontein side. The severe slacks on the higher rail on this curve were removed and after the radius was worked out, we adjusted the elevation by lifting the lower rail. This curve had a huge elevation between the high and low rail and the 70-meter curve is aligned and elevated to the correct values.
Below are photos of the rectification of elevation on curve 2.
MOOIHOEK LEVEL CROSSING:
A severe slack just above Mooihoek crossing was lifted out and tamped. We then moved up to the curve near the Farm school on the section Vailima to Vailima Halt. This was the worst slack on the line.

Below right: Note the severe 10-metre slack!
We firstly lifted out the slack on the high leg of the curve before we lifted out the slack on the low leg of the curve. The radius was calculated and the elevation was set to the correct value.
SLACK ON STRAIGHT LINE ON CULVERT NEAR VAILIMA:
We tried to lift out the slack on the joint between the two rails, but seems if the rails are bend this way and will needs to be replaced with new rails.
We did get it better but we are not satisfied with it.
Below: The bend straight tracks with an adverse batter.
This however is not the end of the Track repairs and will continue with the upgrading of the Railway line.
SEZELA Number 3 at Sezela Mill in 1968 during cane season. This little locomotive is now in the Sandstone collection of locomotives in the Hoekfontein Steam Shed where she is well treated after all the years of service at Sezela.
Photo courtesy of Gary Barnes.
Outlook for next week
1.) Restoration of Ratanga wagon number 3
2.) Restoration of flat wagon 151
3.) Restoration of BSA railcar
4.) To Offload Hunslet diesel locomotive
5.) To oofload container from Port Shepstone
6.) Train tour on Wednesday.
7.) Track upgrading in Hoekfontein Station and Vailima Halt drainage problem at points
8.) To remove slack at km post 6.5
9.) To paint NG 4 black.
10.) To turn Class 10CR around, facing chimney first in Hoekfontein.
11.) To service Hunslet
12.) Repairs on 153 and Kalahari
13.) To move O&K’s for Bloemfontein.
14.) To shunt un restored wagons from Hoekfontein to new storage line
15.) To move Semaphore signals from Vailima Halt store.
16.) To shunt consists ready for David Rodger tour
17.) To roadworthy wagons on consists.
18.) To upgrade cosmetics on Hunslet.