Railway Heritage

RN387 - The Sandstone Story - Narrow Gauge World Magazine No. 51 - May/June 2007

Thanks and credits go to David Joy, Editor of Narrow Gauge World magazine and Narrow Gauge World.
In this issue (No. 51 May/June 2007).
More information about Narrow Gauge World Magazine can be found at www.atlanticpublishers.com

RN388 - Barclays in Preservation - Narrow Gauge World Magazine No. 51 - May/June 2007

Thanks and credits go to David Joy, Editor of Narrow Gauge World magazine and Narrow Gauge World.
In this issue (No. 51 May/June 2007).
More information about Narrow Gauge World Magazine can be found at www.atlanticpublishers.com

 

RN389 - Sandstone holds a tour for two local Pre-Primary schools

KINDI’S & HAASBEKKIES PRE-PRIMARIES VISIT SANDSTONE ESTATES 16 MAY 2007

All in all, the two schools combined, there were 160 children who visited Sandstone yesterday morning, in anticipation for a train ride! The two Pre-Primary Schools along with their Principals had a wonderful time, the photos tell the story.

"Dear Mr. Mole,

Thank you for the wonderful outing this morning. The weather was perfect and to quote you it was "A Champagne Day"! Hester welcomed us at the visitors gate and the train was all fired up and ready for departure to Grootdraai, where we saw four blesbok. On our return we had a quick refreshment break and thank you for the treat of cool drinks. Your staff showed off their engine with pride and hopefully now the Kindi children have more knowledge of fire/water/steam/ energy/ movement. For my self , I am still on a high from the wonderful day and evening you treated us to at The Edwardian Experience , and with being at Sandstone Estates today I am more able to influence the children in my care to the beauty of our environment,and to help them develop awareness and responsibility to care for and appreciate our heritage. You at Sandstone Estates have achieved this successfully and my task as educator will now be easier after this perfectly lovely day. Thank you for inviting the kindi children . There is a small gift waiting for you in your office as a token of our appreciation.

Your sincerely,

Janet Barrett"
A great group photo of the two schools with the Kalahari in the background
Kindi’s kids arrive at Sandstone Estates - all very excited!
Janet Barrette (Kindi’s School) and Annemarie van Niekerk (Haasbekkies School) - principals having a great time with the children.
The "Haasbekkies" arriving at Sandstone Estates
Above and below: Everyone gets ready to board the train. When Janet arrived this morning she was telling us how some of the kids have never been on a real train before.
Hester & Lenka Papenfus
Down at Grootdraai balloon

RN390 - The Sandstone Heritage Trust and Statfold Barn Garden Railway in the UK have a great relationship

The Sandstone Heritage Trust and Statfold Barn Garden Railway in the UK have a great relationship. An agreement is being worked on at the moment to see how we can cooperate further. In the meantime David Payling, a great friend of South African Narrow Gauge, went to visit the Statfold Barn Railway and sent us these pictures and captions.
Newly built quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST “Jack Lane” No. 3904, 2005 enters the Statfold Barn Railway station during the 12th May 2007 visit of the NGRS for their AGM Day. Jack Lane in Leeds was the location of the original Hunslet Engineering factory.
A close up photo of the steam bell carried by O & K Mallet 0-4-4-0T Pakis Baru No.5.
Proprietor Graham Lee finds a moment to smile for the camera from the footplate of his Orenstein and Koppel No. 1473, Pakis Baru No. 5. The occasion was the visit by the Narrow Gauge Railway Society to Graham’s Statfold Barn Railway on NGRS AGM day, 12th May 2007.

RN391 - Steam News 12th – 19th May 2007 - by Gert Jubileus

THE SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY
This week we steamed our Class NG 15 Number 17 for a visit from preschool children from local Schools. The Class NG 15 was showing off with all she had. Very early on this cold winter morning we shunted out number 17 and prepared her for this passenger train to Grootdraai and back. Not only was she steamed for the occasion, but also to steam test her to log all the repairs needed to attend to.
NG 15 just outside the Hoekfontein Steam Shed.
The NG 15 was ready in the Hoekfontein Station at 08H30 on Wednesday morning and she was so happy to steam again that it was difficult keeping her from blowing off every few minutes. Excited children arrived at the Hoekfontein Station and all stared at this beautiful machine. The children boarded the train and the whistle blew to acknowledge the right away from Ben Kruger, our Guard.
Slowly the train starts moving out of the Hoekfontein Station on its journey to Grootdraai. Excited children waved goodbye and the train left a cloud of smoke and steam tail hanging over the farm.
After returning to Hoekfontein, the NG 15 joined the little children for a picnic and group photos were taken in front of this majestic locomotive. When I looked at the children, I realised that they are our enthusiasts of tomorrow and without train rides like this; we won’t be able to gain their interest in Steam Locomotives. Steam is sadly dying mostly because of the lack of interest the absence of their existence.
For these little children, this day will not ever be forgotten.
SANDSTONE LOCOMOTIVE NEWS!
Our Hunslet Diesel Locomotive arrived on the Estates after months of service in Port Shepstone. The Hunslet was offloaded at Vailima Siding last Monday and will receive special attention to her cosmetics and will be serviced.
Below Left: The Huslet arrived at Vailima!
Below Right: The Hunslet was loaded on a rail panel that easily lines up with the rails at Vailima Siding.
Below: The rail panels being secured with fishplates.
The Hunslet was taken to the Shed and right away over the inspection pit for brake adjustment and a oil change. New fan belts were fitted and she will receive a new coat of paint in next week.
Below Left: The Hunslet, finally home!
Below Right: The Hunslet on the inspection pit.
THE CLASS 10CR
This week we started with the moving of the 10CR standing in the Hoekfontein Station. Next week we are moving all the wagons from Kommandonek to this 3’6” storage line and therefore it was needed to turn the 10CR around, facing chimney first in Hoekfontein Station with all the wagons behind her.
First of all we had to move the 10CR two panels forward to brake up the line now behind her.
Below: Derrick posing in front of the 10Cr before she was moved!
Below: A huge Case Tractor was needed to move this Giant Locomotive.
Below: We braked up the line behind the 10 CR and build a temporary line onto the Polo field.
The curves needed to be aligned very carefully and the first 15 meters of line was supported with wooden sprigs. The inner sides of the rails then was greased to assist the locomotive around the curves and to limit the friction to the wheel flanges. The knuckles on the front and rear buffer were removed to accommodate a bulbar to couple the locomotive to the tractor. Our Lady was oiled to loosen her joints and her journey begun. Because of limited space to build a proper triangle, we had to be patient, turning her 3 meters to the side by a time.Below: Photos of the 10 CR on her journey!
Below left: Derrick greasing the inner sides of the outer curve.
Below right: As soon as the 10CR was cleared from the mainline, the track behind the coaches was connected.
Below: The Case pulled the seven Passenger coaches out of Hoekfontein to the front of the storage line.
Below: By the end of the day, she was almost 90 degrees!
Early the next morning we started with the slow turning process of the 10Cr, now only turning her with 50 meters of rail. Once she was on the one end of the line, we curved the 30 meters behind her.
Below: The 10Cr well on her way to pull chimney first into the Hoekfontein Station.
Below: Our great looking 10Cr almost turned around 180 degrees. We loosened the fishplates on the mainline and started with the building of the temporary line to connect to the 50 meter line that turned the 10Cr. We now must cut a panel to the correct length and will insert it between the Mainline and temporary track before the last forward move onto the Hoekfontein 3’6” mainline.
SANDSTONE WAGONS

THE RATANGA WAGON
This week Ben fitted the last planks to the sides of the Ratanga wagon wagon and made steel supports for the wagon steps. He then used wood to fit inside the window frames for a proper finish.
In next week he will finish the inside of this wagon and will sand it to perfection.
Below: The steel supports for the wagon steps.
Below left: The inside of the Ratanga wagon with wooden window frames.
Below right: The side planks and angle iron to support the wooden floor.
Once the wagon is sanded and varnished, the rest of this wagon will receive paint touch up. The under frame restoration is complete and this wagon will come over the pit for brake adjustment and a vacuum brake test will be done.
GENERAL
This week we loaded three locomotives that will depart on their journey to restoration. These locomotives were loaded on flat wagons inside the Wagon shed and then shunted out to a place to load them onto the low bed truck that will depart on Sunday to Bloemfontein restoration works.
Below: Three locomotives loaded onto Narrow gauge flat wagons.
Our Green Roller was stripped of its chimney and roof and was loaded into a container this week.
Below: Derrick loosening the chimney and roof of the Roller.
TRACK MAINTENANCE
This week we serviced the points at Vailima siding and oiled the T bolts from the level crossing into the siding.
Below: Derrick servicing the points and a photo of the oiled T bolts.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE TRAINS GONE?

Bongwana, or what is left of it?
A little station on the narrow gauge line between Port Shepstone and Harding. It was a sad sight this week when I discovered this little station between the bushes. The last time I spent three hours but could not find it. Once there were trains running up and down this line, serving the community. This surely was a water stop for the trains, looking at the huge water tank situated South of the platform.

Below left: The water tower at Bongwana.
Below right: A column on the mainline can be seen just left of the waiting room roof.
Below left: A wagon hidden between the bushes.
Below right: The stop block. The Sandstone bakkie is standing on the mainline, buried under the ground.
Maybe this Station was once the pride of a Station Master?

Below: Harding Station. A vegetable garden is grown where the mainlines used to be.
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK

1.) To move the 10CR onto the mainline
2.) To shunt the passenger coaches behind the 10CR
3.) To move wagons from Komandonek to the storage lines at Hoekfontein Station.
4.) To go on with the restoration of the Ratanga wagon.
5.) To go on with the restoration of the Flat wagon 151
6.) To do repairs on the locomotives to be used on the David Rodger tour.
7.) To shunt un-restored wagons from Hoekfontein Station to the new storage line.
8.) To shunt consists ready for David Rodger tour.
9.) To roadworthy wagons on the consists and to adjust their brakes.
10.) To load consists.
11.) To fill all water columns for tour.
12.) To paint NG4 black.
13.) Track maintenance in Hoekfontein Station.
14.) To upgrade cosmetics on Hunslet Diesel Locomotive.

<<< Back to part one

RN392 - North British Locomotive Preservation Group - May 2007 Newsletter

Hello All,

They say that a week is a long time in politics and the same is very true in preservation ! We initially thought that a bi-monthly Newsletter would keep everyone up to date with our progress and would not put too much pressure on our postal account etc..!.….. However, with news coming in from day to day and with most of our correspondence now being carried out by e:mail, we are finding it necessary, and no more expensive, to produce a monthly update. From here on in then, I’ll try to get a Newsletter out to everyone during the third week of each month, please bear with me if some month’s carry more news than others !
DUBS TANK
I have received a confirmation e:mail from Andy Anderson, Commercial Manager of the Umgeni Steam Railway, that No. 196 is safely on site and stored undercover at Masons Mill Loco Shed. In return for the Umgeni’s assistance, we have agreed to make a token donation of £5 per week (R300 per month) towards the restoration of their own NBL (and Dubs) steam locomotives. All movement costs and the first 6 month’s donations have now been paid and we are putting some cash together towards preliminary restoration work and the casting of new numberplates etc.
We fully appreciate that the progress with this loco to date has only been made possible by our NBLPG membership so we would like all those who have who have kindly donated to the Dubs Tank Fund to take part in a vote to decide which livery the loco will initially carry. Mr. Reg Carter, the Librarian of the Stephenson Locomotive Society has kindly supplied a great deal of information about the early days of the Dubs Tanks on the Natal Government Railways and, coupled with what we already knew from later years, we have a choice of at least 4 authentic liveries that the loco has carried during her 107 years of existence !
Separate from this Newsletter, all ‘A’ Class Fund donors will receive a voting slip illustrating the various livery options we are considering and we would like this completed and returned by the end of May so a decision can be made in time for the next newsletter. I’m sure there will be much debate to follow and one of the main decisions will be whether to cast the new plates as South African Railways No. 196 or as Natal Government Railways No. 133. If you have not already contributed towards the Dubs Tank Fund and would like to vote, it’s not too late – please forward a donation and you will receive a voting slip by return of post !
Two of the most interesting facts turned up by Reg Carter include the original Dubs works builders date of 1899 (we have always thought that the engine was built in 1900) and comprehensive notes regarding the NGR dark green livery and lining details. Our loco emerged from Glasgow Works at the same time as Dubs were constructing large batches standard British 0-6-0’s for the Highland, Caledonian and Midland Railways – what an amazing design contrast it must have provided at the time !
An early Dubs 4-8-2 Tank in Natal Government Railways dark green livery at the turn of the last century – with round top firebox, open cab and stovepipe chimney.
OTHER NEWS
Our membership continues to increase and I’m very pleased to welcome John Heath, who helped to get the NBL Society started, well known photographer Brian Dobbs and Martin Coombs who is currently working on the NGG16 Garratt’s on the Welsh Highland Railway.
Martin has kindly offered to make patterns for the replacement plates for our Dubs Tank – we need to decide if they will be NGR or SAR plates first though !
The Glasgow 15F project continues to move forward and the latest shipping date we have is the first week of June. No. 3007 will be shipped via Durban and Immingham and should be back in Glasgow by the middle of July.
We are currently exploring ways of working with South Africa’s Elgin Valley Railway to help them to preserve one of the North British Class 24’s scheduled for,scrapping at Voorbaai Shed. They intend to move the loco to Elgin for restoration and establish a regular steam service on their local branch line. Hopefully more news on this project next month.
COMMENTS & INFORMATION
If you would like to comment on our preservation activities or would like further information on any of our projects, please contact me by letter, phone or e:mail.
Thanks again for your support and interest : Best Regards, Ken
Please Address Correspondence to : Ken Livermore, Hon. Secretary, NBL Preservation Group, 112, Haddon Drive, Woodley, Reading, Berks, RG5 4LL.
Telephone : 01189 691 147 e:mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RN384 - After her steam test Lukas and his team attend to the fine details

The true test of any locomotive restoration is the steam test... O&K Locomotive no 2510 passed her steam test with flying colours.
This lady will be leaving the workshop to go out in the big wide world with all her make-up on.

RN394 - An Edwardian Image Update by John Middleton

With thanks to John Middeton for sending us a CD of these great images from the Edwardian Event.

RN395 - SA Sugar Tramline Locomotives - by David Cairns

From: David Cairns
Subject: FW: Tramline Locomotives

I hope you can read this. It is a copy of an article I wrote for the Sugar Journal on Saccharine. The plan is to write a few more on the locos of which I have knowledge. The next candidate would be Sandy as long as you have no objections.
I regret SASA has rejected my proposal with respect to Sezela no 1. However they have agreed to erect a cover over the loco and to undertake a cosmetic refurbishment.
It was pointed out to me that Darnall and Gledhow both have locos plinthed outside the mills (as has Sezela). I think it would be a great PR exercise for you to host the Council of SASA to a visit to Sandstone. Roger Stewart is keen to come and he is still chairman. It would be much easier to persuade the parties involved to part with their locos if they could see for themselves what you have achieved.
Sorry I could not deliver Sezela no 1. It is over 20 years since I left the industry and many of my contacts have moved on.
Regards
David

David S. Cairns

RN396 - NGG16 No. 88 is now in Bloemfontein

Related article: Sandstone Increases Preservation Effort at the Bloemfontein Workshops

In terms of the arrangements entered into with the previous owner she must be restored and painted green... just like she was in her ACR days.

Our thanks to Hannes Paling for supplying this information...
 
From: "Hannes Paling"
Date: 14 March 2007 10:49:27 PM
Subject: Feedback from The Sandstone Heritage Website

Hi Joanna,

Regarding message?RN 353 I am really glad to see that? NGG 16 Number 88 is to be restored, I have a few pictures of her taken around 1988/1989 when she was realy looking smart at Port Shepstone, she also was fitted with a plate "Judy". I wonder who she was named after, perhaps some one could enlighten us on this.

I have no doubt that she will be restored to her former condition if not better by the Sandstone team, cant wait to see the result.

Please find some pictures attached.

Best regards,

Hannes

RN397 - STEAM NEWS! The Weekly Report - by Gert Jubileus - 19 – 26 May 2007

THE SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES:
This week was freezing cold in the Eastern Free Sate, but we just had to take the Class 10Cr on her final
Run into the Hoekfontein Station. This was indeed the more tricky part of turning the 10Cr around, to line up the temporary tracks to the main storage line. One rail panel had to be cut to a specific length to fit in between these two lines. One rail panel was taken down to the shed and the one side of the rail was cut to 6,64 meters while the other one was cut to 8,64 metres.
Below is a photo taken of the specific length of track that we needed to connect the two lines.
Below left: The 10Cr with snow clouds blowing over from the Maluti Mountains.
Below right: The shortened panel was fitted and finally the temporary line was connected to the main storage line.
We finally had to do some major curve alignment before we could pull this sexy Lady into the Hoekfontein Station.
Below: Connecting the lines!
Below: Extensive curve alignment under progress!
Below: The 10 Cr well on her way to her new resting place after a four-day journey. She traveled almost 2 km detour to reach her destiny.
It was quite a relieve to finally see her facing chimney first in Hoekfontein Station where she now can show her beautiful face to the world! The line was connected again and the passenger coaches were coupled to the 10Cr.
LITTLE BESS!
This week was sad indeed when we had to load Little Bess. She is going on a tour just like the little French Decauville. She is such a part of our Steam family and we will miss her when she is gone.
Little Bess is not so little at all, and before we could load Little Bess, we had to remove her chimney and cab to fit into the 12-meter container.
Below: Henk stripped of the cab and chimney of Little Bess.
Below right: Our last goodbye before she disappeared into the long container.
CLASS NGG 16’s
We shunted out two Class NGG16’s from the new storage line, and had to disassemble both locomotives to enable us to take out the two engine units from the one locomotive and the boiler from the other locomotive. The spare engine units then were shunted underneath the not to go boiler. The rear engine units together with the tanks were loaded onto a low bed. This Garratt is on her way to our magician Locomotive restorer in Bloemfontein and soon will steam into her new lease of life on the Sandstone Steam Railway.
Below left: This NGG 16 boiler and the units of the locomotive on the right were separated for transportation to Bloemfontein.
Below: Finally we had the Garratt into three pieces and ready to load!
Below: We assembled the not to go boiler and engine units and by the end of this day she was ready to be shunted back into the storage line to await her chance for restoration!
Below: The tanks and bunker were loaded separately onto the low bed together with the rear engine unit.
CLASS NGG 15
Our Class NG 16, number 17 received some special attention to her sandboxes this week. She is one of our locomotives to be used on the photographic trains on the David Rodger tour in next week. Because of severe frost on the Railway lines this time of the year, it was essential to get her sandboxes to work.
The right hand sandbox lever was jammed and we removed the levers and drained the sandboxes empty. It was amazing to see all the pieces of waste, grass and even small pieces of clinker.
Below: The right side sandbox and all the drained sand out of the sandboxes.
Below: The empty sandbox and the little hole for the sand to flow down the sandpipes. The stuck sanding valve was fixed and the sandbox was filled with new sifted sand. The left side sandbox was also drained and filled with new sifted sand. The sand is working so well that if the lever is opened for to long, the locomotive will start running up a sand mountain! J
Below right: The sand pipe under the sandbox.
The regulator gland was packed with new rope and if the gland is pulled up slightly to tight, then it is not needed to hold the regulator in position all the time. Once it is opened to suite the demand, then it automatically stays in that position and if you don’t like the driver, then secure the gland very tight. J
The steam brake spindle packing nut and the tarot spindle packing nuts were packed this week to ensure a steam tight tarot.
Below left: The Tarot spindles.
Below left: The steam brake spindle-packing nut, packed with new rope.
THE CLASS NG 4
We did try to paint the NG 4 black this week, but because of sever cold weather and low day temperatures it just was not possible. The black paint made blusters all over where we started and we sanded it of again and painted small area that was painted black, blue again.
Below left: Henk covered the white lettering with masking tape.
Below right: derrick painted the black parts blue again.
While we had the NG4 number plates off, Henk painted the in and outside of the plates and sanded and polished the numbering to a shining condition.
SANDSTONE WAGONS
RATANGA WAGON NUMBER 3
This week Ben went on with the restoration of the third Ratanga wagon. He fitted steps on both sides of the wagon and sanded planks. He then fitted wood to the sides of the window frames and fished the armrests of the wagon. The steel frames for the doors are finished and will be fitted in next week when the intensive sanding work will begin.
Scenes from the past! Special moments in the night, a Class 16Cr number 2 just before midnight, ready to depart on her journey through the night. This photo was taken in August 1999 long before they were withdrawn from service. For the crews it was just another night to get through and no one thought that they will be gone three years later. This Class 16Cr ran into the rear of Class 16Cr number5 in September 1992 killing the driver and one of the shunters. Number 5 was one of the locomotives cut up in August 1998.Number 2 remained in service till the very end and was one of two locomotives stripped for heavy repairs while our Sandstone number 1 had to work week in and out. Number 2 suffered with frame problems since the collision with number 5 but was a stunning performer. The shed they are stabled in now, were forced open and all valuable remaining spares were stolen recently. Luckily no one can steal our memories of the scenes from the past!
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK
* To shunt and prepare consists for David Rodgers Tour on Tuesday.
* To prepare, coal locomotives to use with Tour.
* To clean all level crossing with Track inspection.
* David Rodgers Tour on Tuesday.
* To roadworthy wagons and locomotives.
* To load NGG 16 boiler to Bloemfontein.
* To load NGG 16 front unit to Bloemfontein.
* Ratanga wagon restoration.
* BSA Railcar restoration.
* Cosmetic upgrading of Hunslet Diesel locomotive.
* Track maintenance.
* To lift out points and loop line at Mooihoek siding.
* Repair Peckett smokebox.
* To start with restoration of Garratt to Ratanga
* Flat wagon restoration 151
* Henry and Arno on Fire team till Thursday with David Rodgers tour.

RN399 - Weekly Report - 27th May 2007 - 1st June 2007 - By Gert Jubileus

A STEAMING EASTERN FREE STATE
This week the Eastern Free State steamed like it did many years ago. With a 25Nc, 15F, 15Ca together with the Narrow Gauge locomotives on Sandstone Estates their magnificent beats echoed against the Mountains, turning the Eastern Free State into a Steam extravaganza. The Reef steamers trains arrived in Ficksburg late Sunday night. Early every morning the sound of these locomotives could be heard kilometers away, storming up icy gradients.
Twelve o clock Monday night we lit up our NGG 16 number 153 together with our NG 15 number 17 and the NG 4. Soon they raised steam changing Sandstone Estates into a romantic atmosphere. Our Steam fleet could not wait meeting their sister engines at Vailima and were eager taking their load over the Pandora embankment. We triple headed the NGG 16, NG 15 and the NG 4 over the mountain and reached our destiny just before six on Tuesday morning. The locomotives were serviced while waiting for the Reef Steamers Class 15F number 3016.

Below left: Class NGG 16 number 153 servicing for the next photo run past.
Below right: Class 15F number 3016 at Vailima.
The Passengers on the David Rodgers tour boarded the Sandstone trains and we changed crews with the Welsh Highland crews before the photo run pasts started.
Below: Driver John Bunch from the WHR and his fireman on our Class NGG 16 number 153, ready for a hard day to satisfy hungry photographers.
Our Bloemfontein crew, Anton and Frandri Bosch manned the Class NG 15 number 17 and with driver Anton behind the regulator, the NG 15 performed with eager leaving photographers breathless.
Below: Derrick, Anton and Frandri Bosch.
Below Left: Class NGG 16 with Driver John Bunch on a run past near Pandora Junction.
Below right: Class NG 15 Number 17 with Driver Anton Bosch.
Below: Class 15F number 3016 with Driver Shaun Ackerman making a spectacular show with a long steam trail and a thundering exhaust with a run past where the Narrow Gauge parallel the 3’6” Line.
Below left: A line up of eager and serious photographers awaiting the NG 15 near Mooihoek.
Below right: Number 17 just stormed past the line up with her last photo run before lunch.
Just after Lunch we shunted the train and made ready to work a dupla train with the NG 15 and NGG 16 to Vailima.
Below: Driver Anton Bosch and his NG 15 running through the mainline in Hoekfontein to couple the NGG 16 for the Dupla train.
After a few run pasts at Pandora, we proceeded to Vailima where the NG 15 was uncoupled to haul her own train on the new section of the line.
Below left: Class NGG 16 at Vailima standing clear of the spotlight while sister engine number 17 worked a photographic special on the new line between Vailima and Vailima Halt.
Below right: Late afternoon we were accompanied with the Reef Steamers class 15F.
Below: Driver Flip on his 15F number 3016 making sure the mechanical stoker feeds adequate coal to leave a smoke trail while storming past the Sandstone Class NG 15 with a run past.
This was an unforgettable day for us, with these magnificent machines thundering through the mountains. A dream comes true for a Steam lover, another day for the crews always to remember. We did not relive history; we made history on this day. This was the only day we steamed our fleet at Sandstone, but the Reef Steamer trains steamed over this spectacular line till Thursday morning when they departed for Bethlehem on their way back home.
It was sad to say goodbye to these giants. They brought back so many memories of the past for everyone and hearing them cracking the silence in the early mornings were something words cannot describe. Lucky for me the Class 15Ca got stranded because of a broken rail at Vailima on her way back home and I then was able to spend more time close to the love of my life.
Below: 15Ca number 2056 stranded at Vailima on Thursday morning.
Below Left: Plate layers repairing the broken rail.
Below right: Driver At de Necker leaning out of the cab just before the track was repaired.
PHOTOS TO SHARE:
Below left: 15CA cab at night.
Below right: 15F cab
Below: Class 15F number 3016 with a run past west of Vailima.
SANDSTONE LOCOMOTIVES:
After an exiting day on Tuesday, it was back to work although it was difficult to concentrate while the Reef steamers locomotives often stormed past Vailima trying to keep up with timings for photo shoots at different allocations on the scenic line to Bethlehem. This week we shunted the Garratt’s boiler and engine unit to Vailima. Both were loaded onto two different low beds on their way to restoration.
Below left: The boiler on its way to Vailima.
Below right: Connecting the rail panel at Vailima to the existing line. The tracks were supported with sleepers before the boiler could be shunted onto the low bed truck.
Below: The boiler was loaded and secured. The low bed departed immediately for Bloemfontein. Next year she might be one of the locomotives steaming out of the Sandstone Steam shed for the David Rodger tour?
Below: The engine unit was loaded together with another locomotive frame and wheels.
While we were loading at Vailima, the Class 15CA stormed past us on her way to Ficksburg after phot shoots east of Vailima.
 
CLASS NGG 16 Number 153
We immediately started with repairs on the locomotives after the David Rodgers tour. The right rear piston packing was set to ensure steam tight packing on the piston.
Below: Derrick setting the piston packings.
Below left: Steam valve spindle packing nuts were repacked with  rope.
Below right: The drifter spindle packing nut was repacked.
LOCOMOTIVE FROM RATANGA
This week we moved the locomotive for Ratanga closer to the workshop where restoration will commence in next week. The engine units were stripped and tank and bunker was moved closer too. The wheels, motion and cab will be moved to the same spot in next week and as soon as all the parts are together, it will be sandblasted and spray-painted before assembly will begin.
Below: The engine units and tank.
Below: Ben stripping of all the parts of the engine units and prepared them for sandblasting.
Below right: Two Semaphore signal will be sandblasted in the same process and will then be restored for display at Vailima.
SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY TRACKS
This week we loosened all the fishplates at Mooihoek siding loop line and started to lift out both points and passing loop at this siding. The two points and extra rail panels will be used with the constructing of a new line into the Vintage Shed for extra storage space for our steam Locomotives. The line will branch of at the water column in front of the shed and the second set of points will be fitted just before the doors of the Vintage shed, splitting the line into two lines running down to the rear of the Vintage Shed. Two AY ballast wagons were shunted to Mooihoek and will be filled with ballast from underneath the passing loop at Mooihoek. The points and the panels were loaded onto a Richard Western trailer and were moved down to the shed. One of the 12-meter panels out of the passing loop was fitted in place of the points. This line will be connected in next week and the Mooihoek siding now only will be a straight line for storage of wagons.
Below: Petrus and Oupa loosened all the fishplates of the points and the passing loop at Mooihoek.
Below: Lifting up Mooihoek passing loop!
Below left: The lifting of the passing loop!
Below right: One 12-meter panel was fitted in place of the removed point.
Below left: A disappearing Mooihoek passing loop.
Below right: The first panels on their way to Hoekfontein Shed.
THE BSA RAILCAR
Derrick started with the restoration of the BSA this week. He first will manufacture new doors to fit onto the BSA Railcar. Derrick will be responsible for the restoration of the BSA body while Henry will do the mechanical side.
GENERAL:
All the used locomotives were cleaned this week and all the wagons were stabled. The wagons loaded with cable drums and wooden crates were shunted into the wagon shed. In next week we shall shunt another two wagons from the Hoekfontein storage line into the new storage line. All the roadworthy wagons will then be shunted into the storage line in Hoekfontein to free up the passing loops at Hoekfontein Station.
Below: The Hunslet shunting in Hoekfontein Station!
FROM THE PAST, HOPE FOR THE FUTURE!
A Class NGG 16 number 142 at Isaha.

Gary Barnes took this photo in August 1986 in good old SAR days. 1988 was a dark year for steam in South Africa when drastic steam withdrawals took place. The special breed of person born to live and work with steam disappeared together with these lovely machines. Later this year most of these Giant machines were gone forever with massive scrappings taking place all over South Africa. They cut away pieces of my heart leaving empty places in Railway yards. The preserved ones will be safe, the rest will be gone.

The pride of many drivers, the love of my life falling into pieces with every cut they make.

Do they know that these machines have a living soul crying out for help, longing for survival?

OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK
* To move NGG 16 complete for restoration
* To sandblast NGG 16 for Ratanga.
* To spray-paint NGG 16
* To assemble NGG 16 for Ratanga
* To lift out the remaing panels at Mooihoek.
* To Offload rails from Bloemfontein (Zack van Staden)
* BSA body restoration.
* BSA mechanical restoration.
* Flat wagon 151 restoration.
* Locomotive repairs
* To link Mooihoek siding to be a straight storage line.
* Semaphore signal restoration.
* Hunslet cosmetic upgrade.
* Locomotive wash out number 153
* Make new steps for Station.
* To graphite smoke boxes
* Track maintenance.
* Cable drums and crates restoration.
<<< Back to page one

RN400 - Why screw your eyes up watching a telly screen, when you can watch "The Chronicles" on this... ?

A letter from Andy Selfe for Ron Nel, regarding The Sandstone Chronicles. The dvd is selling very fast!!!


Subject: Ron, laddie.....

.... once again, you've excelled yourself! We've been watching, spellbound, your efforts on the Sandstone Chronicles..... How, for instance, you manage to be both on a train and off it at the same time, beats me!

It just gets better and better as it progresses! We actually saved the Avontuur Adventurer for last, but it's difficult to single any one part out, comparing it with any other.

All I can say is, we're waiting for No2!

This is what it looks like on the big screen:
Why screw your eyes up watching a telly screen? :-)

Great stuff, Ron, thanks for your efforts!

Regards
Andy

RN401 - The Ficksburg News talks about the local children's visit to Sandstone

 

RN402 - The Last Steam Tour?

On May 29th , what may be the last country wide steam tour, visited Sandstone for a day of narrow gauge action.

After the debacle with the Rovos Rail/Railway Touring company tour in April when Spoornet cancelled all steam haulage within South Africa at the 11th hour, the future of the David Rogers led Steam Loco Safaris tour was in grave doubt. Luckily the tour was able to go ahead after the intervention of Reefsteamers Chairman, Elize Lubbe, who was determined that all the efforts of her crew, who were running the first week from Johannesburg to Ficksburg with no less than three locomotives, would not be in vain. Representations to the highest levels of Spoornet resulted in a green light just hours before the tour was to be cancelled.

After a number of trips between Ficksburg and Fouriesburg using a combination of 15CA 2056,25NC 3472 and 15F 3016 the tour group arrived at Vailima Siding at 05h45 on Tuesday 29th May in the full tour train hauled by 15F 3016.
Sandstone had laid on a comprehensive photographic programme for the day under the direction of Dennis Moore. Three locos were in steam, NG4 #16, NGG16 #153 and NG15 #17 with various consists that were mixed and matched throughout the day. As most of the group had visited Sandstone on a number of occasions it was decided to concentrate most of the photography on the Vailima loop and Pandora area using the NG4 and NGG16. The NG15 being limited to less steeply graded parts of the line.
A bonus shot was to have both the narrow gauge and 3’6” gauge locos together just west of Vailima siding which had never been done before.
In addition the Sandstone loco staff were joined throughout the day by a number of Welsh Highland Railway crews who were assisting Reefsteamers with their locos. They had been certified especially for the tour by Spoornet and included a number of familiar faces such as John Bunch, Andy Shaw, Dave Kent and Peter Randall from the Sandstone “Under African Skies” event of 2006.

The morning session was completed by lunchtime and the guests then enjoyed a good South African braai at the Waenhuis together with some good South African lager.

The morning had gone well but the requested black smoke that photographers love to see proved difficult to achieve as the export quality coal being used by the locos was burning too well and laying little smoke. Nevertheless many photographers quietly confided in the organisers that they preferred it that way!
Steam Loco Safaris always attempt to recreate the past and the various consists were made up to reflect the narrow gauge of the SAR in the 1970’s using fruit vans, ballast wagons, cattle wagons and limited passenger accommodation. The guests were thus treated to some varying accommodation.
Above: The Kalahari and No. 153 make for a wonderful photograph opportunity
In the past Sandstone used open wagons with straw bales for seating but this has now been disallowed by the Railway Safety Regulator.
The afternoon session used the NG15 with some spectacular climbs of Pandora Bank and the less graded parts of the Vailima loop.
15F 3016 brought the tour train to collect the group just after 16h30 and a number of shots were taken of the main line train in the sunset.

It will be sad if tours of this nature do not happen again and we await a decision from Spoornet as to the future of such events.

Nevertheless Sandstone will continue to provide narrow gauge action regardless of the outcome.