Why do the South African authorities, particularly those involved in tourism, do so little to make the foreign international rail traveller comfortable in our country?

There has been a considerable amount of dialogue, including meetings and quite a lot of pressure from the heritage rail players in South Africa to try to get Spoornet in particular, government in general, and the Heritage Rail Association to actually send out a signal that they want to see tourists visit our country in order to travel around, and in particular in the case of rail and steam enthusiasts actually get involved in enjoying some of the best experiences that can be found anywhere in the world. Sadly there has been hardly a glimmer of interest in these issues by people who should normally embrace them with career enhancing enthusiasm. The bar has been lifted considerably with the publication of the attached article in one of Britain's most prestigious railway magazines. With a global audience at its fingertips this article will have a significant impact, and unless emergency steps are taken will or perhaps already signals the end of rail and steam tourism in South Africa. 

For people with specialised interests that is rather like the end of tourism in the Antarctic because their house has melted. Sad but potentially true.

SANDSTONE GOES WAGONS!!!

RATANGA WAGON

This week the doors of the Ratanga wagon were varnished and painted. The wagon is complete and hooked onto our passenger consist. The fourth Ratanga wagon was shunted from the storage line closer to the shed.

Below: Menasse completing the last touches on the third Ratanga wagon.

ST NUMBER 248
(back to top)

Arno is currently restoring this ST to original condition. Extensive work is done to the frame and uprights.

All the cross channels are corroded very badly and are removed to be replaced. This wagon under frame was restored last week and a overhauled vacuum cylinder was fitted this week. All corroded handles on the sides of the wagon were removed.

We plan to have this wagon fully restored and stenciled by the end of next week.

Below : Poney cutting cross channels for replacement.

Below : Menasse and his team fitting the overhauled vacuum cylinder.

ST NUMBER 3317

This week we shunted number 3317 to the inspection pit. All the braking gears were removed before we lifted the frame from the bogeys.

Below:  Number 3317’s under frame, not a place to spend a day under. So as quickly as possible the braking gears are stripped before wakening sleeping spiders!

The wagon was then lifted from the wheels and stored aside.

The fourth and the fifth Ratanga wagons were also lifted from the bogeys. The bogeys then were moved to the sandblaster.

Below : Ratanga number four lifted from its bogeys.

Below : All the bogeys were sandblasted.

All the bogeys were spray-painted and the wheels were painted black before we lifted the wagons back onto the bogeys. We tackled a few wagons at a time because the sandblaster is a huge machine to set up for only two bogeys.

Below: One of the bogeys almost ready to be fitted in under the wagons

Below : The effectiveness of the Sandblaster.

Below : Number 3317 at the sandblaster. This wagon is in exceptional good condition and barely needs any attention to the steelwork.

After 3317 was sandblasted, we lifted it back onto its bogeys. We immediately sprayed it a first coat of paint to prevent it from getting a rust layer overnight.

Number 3317 was shunted to the inspection pit early the next morning and received a complete under frame restoration. New brake blocks were fitted and a overhauled vacuum cylinder. The boxes were packed with oil soaked axle box wool. The wagon was vacuum tested

and the restoration is almost finished. In next week we shall spray it another two coats of paint before we stencil it.

 

RATANGA NUMBER 4
 

We fitted a set of bogeys under this wagon and shunted it to the inspection pit. New brake blocks were fitted. Both couplers had to be fitted into the drag boxes of this wagon. In next week this wagon will receive a complete under frame restoration and Menasse and his team will start with the woodwork needed to complete this wagon.

Below: Derrick fitted couplers to this wagon.

Below: The skeleton on the inspection pit.

Petrus had to overhaul vacuum cylinders and started with the one we taken off number 248.

Below: Menasse spray painted one of our existing flat wagons. This wagon will be stenciled in next week and will come to the inspection pit for a under frame inspection and brake adjustment.

All the wagons from Natal were shunted into our storage line on the west side of Hoekfontein. Henry lifted wagons on top of each other to free up more space. A total of 68 wagons are stored on this line.

Below : The Hunslet on shunting duties.

SANDSTONE LOCOMOTIVES

NG 15 Number 17

Number 17 was due for Boiler washout this week. She was shunted out to the washout area.

All plugs were removed and were washed out with a nozzle and two inch pipe feeding more than 27000 L an hour. With the chemicals we using now, washouts are very easy. The chemical breaks up the hard scale into a sludge that easily washes out. This makes it possible to have a scale free boiler and also means that there are none of the boiler plates that get warmer than the other parts. This minimizes the stress on the plates and is perfect for a boiler.

Below: The fire box was washed down after it was wire brushed.

The lead plugs were removed and will be re lead in next week.

The smoke box was cleaned as well as all the tubes. The boiler is now left open to dry till we need to steam her again.

CLASS NGG 16 NUMBER 112

New windows were fitted this week, handmade by Derrick. Henk is working on all the detail inside the cab and made gauge column corks and test corks this week. The regulator handle is also complete.

Below : A steam cork, made by Henk.

Below : The completed left and right gauge columns with protector glasses.

THE BSA RAILCAR

Derrick started with the construction of the right side mudguards and running board while Henry works on the mechanical side of the BSA.

Henry assembled the gearbox with clutch and pressure plate this week. He fitted the gearbox and now has to manage to align the prop shaft to the chain driven sprocket.

He fitted a temporary diesel tank to start the engine standing for years. He had to bleed the fuel system for almost an hour to get all the air out, but eventually got the engine running perfect. The BSA will be running on her own by the end of next week. The brake system that are going to be fitted, will work with a cylinder on the rear wheel of the BSA, giving it a proper braking effectiveness.

Below: Henry made a new exhaust system with silencer and fitted it to the manifold of the BSA engine. Once the mechanical side is done, we can plan the floor and sides inside the BSA.

OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK
 

 

• BSA mechanical work

• BSA right side body work

• ST 248 restoration

• ST 3317 restoration

• Ratanga wagon number 4 restoration

• Class NGG 16 number 112 restoration

• Boiler washout

• Wagon maintenance

• At the end a hard week on the Sandstone Farm, the sun sets over the Vailima Mountain. Let’s call this Heaven!

STEAM GREETINGS!
THE STEAM TEAM!

20 September 2007

Bagnall Locomotive, Works No. 3204, 1961 (ex Rustenburg Platinum Mines), is now really taking shape.

After a tough 3-year rebuild by Zach van Staden, who is our diesel locomotive specialist, our robust Bagnall diesel (204 hp, 0-6-0DM) with its wonderful 8LW Gardner engine is at the point where it is looking forward to flexing its muscles on the Sandstone Steam Railroad in the Eastern Free State. This is an ex Alfred County Railway locomotive that had actually gone past the point where it was feasible to restore it but the higher the mountain the greater the sense of achievement in climbing it.

Diesel enthusiasts can read more about these and other diesel locomotives in "The Sandstone Steam Railroad - The First Ten Years". 

The entire history of the restoration is detailed in this set of photographs supplied by Zach van Staden.

14th April 2007

With Sandstone’s ex Rustenburg Platinum Mines Bagnall diesel now in traffic, we were pleased to see that it now has a miniature cousin. Edward Hodson from the Stafford and District Model Engineering Society sent us this pic of their 71/4” gauge replica. At present it is a running chassis as the picture shows. Stafford, of course is the home of Bagnall.

LOCOMOTIVE NEWS!

NGG 16 Number 112

The making of all the boiler joints are taking time, to manufacture out of steel. The end result is pleasant and Henk really put in huge effort to simulate the parts. The cab interior is finish and is being painted for a good finish.

A steady hand is needed and Oupa is doing a sterling job of it. With masking tape and a small brush he painted the inside with pride.

The ejector was the most difficult part to make out of steel, but Henk was very imaginative about it and it looks super. Henry made the left and the right side delivery pipes. The bending without a pipe bender is quite not too easy, but he did it with determination and the result, perfect.

The delivery pipes were fitted and the ejector exhaust pipe and blower pipe on the left side of the boiler. Just when we thought we were finished, we realized that we forgot about the whistle. Henk immediately put his mind to work and constructed a whistle to fit to the tarot.

Below: Early stage of the whistle construction.

We should be finish by the end of next week and will then clean 112 for a completed photo out in the sun. I sometimes stand in the cab and could imagine her almost to be ready to steam out on the rails.

WAGON NEWS

This week we sandblasted ST 657 and lifted her back on her wheels. Extensive steelwork was started and will take a while to finish. The biggest problem with this wagon is that there is not much left of the floor and will need to repair it.

Below: Pony, grinding off the badly corroded cross channels. The 500mm upright channels will be welded back because we had to cut them to be in height limits when we loaded them on the low bed.

ST 300

Last week this wagon was sandblasted and sprayed. The wagon came to the inspection pit to fit back all the braking gears and to fit brake blocks. The stuck handbrakes were loosened and lubricated.

The sharp ends on the frame were grinded and once the under frame restoration is complete, the wagon will receive a final coat of paint with stenciling. This wagon is so long that it almost just fitted on the inspection pit.

ST 248

The restoration of this ST was completed this week. The under frame restoration was finished and this wagon only needs stenciling to be complete.

Below: Henry securing the chamber pipe under 248.

WAGON MAINTENANCE

This week we shunted one of our old AY wagons to the inspection pit. Brakes were adjusted and handbrakes were loosened and lubricated.

The one side handbrake was working very stiff and we had to strip of the complete handbrake. It is very frustrated if one wants to fasten a handbrake when it is that stiff.

We are not finished yet and will finish the AY in next week.

BOGEY OVERHAULS

It was needed to overhaul a bogey for ST 301 this week. Some bogeys have good wheels and bad springs, while others have good springs and bad wheels. The first bogey was disassembled and new wheels are being prepared to be fitted again. Wheels and springs will be changed to buildup good condition bogeys.

Blow: Photos of the disassembling of a bogey.

Below: The second bogey for ST301 had a broken spring and we replaced the spring. This bogey is now ready to fit in under 301.

OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK!

• NGG 16 112

• ST 657

• ST 300

• ST 301

• Stencil 248

• Wagon maintenance

• AY 2806 maintenance

GREETINGS
FROM
THE STEAM TEAM

We have noticed a growing trend whereby ever more people contact us to provide additional technical information etc. for many of the items that are featured on our web site. We have a large archive which we are just beginning to scratch the surface of. For people who really know what they are looking at we thought we would provide an opportunity for you to test your knowledge and for you to contribute. We know what the attached locomotive is - do you? Let us know by submitting the form at the bottom of the page...

We will publish a new photograph every few months or so, providing good clear images of specific locomotives. We invite visitors to our site to comment. After a while, we will release the results of this photographic quiz.  Previous photos are listed underneath the latest photo shown below.

If you think you know what the picture is let us know....

Useful and valuable information.

The Sandstone Heritage Trust has accumulated a very small collection of 2-ft Narrow Gauge locomotives which originated from the Natal cane fields. One of our current projects is to name them as per their original ex works name or the name given to them by the estate. Gary Barnes, a great supporter of ours and someone who can be relied upon to supply top class archive information, has provided details of what some of these locomotives were called. In fact there is a wealth of other information included in these lists which we thought might be of interest to visitors to our web site.

The Sandstone Heritage Trust is involved in a discussion with various specialists to see whether our Barclay can be brought back to its original specifications. Over the years it had many different modifications including a new boiler but that caused it to drift away from its original specification. Hannes Paling, who was instrumental in making the locomotive available to the Sandstone Heritage Trust (she was our first Narrow Gauge acquisition and therefore holds a special place in our hearts), continues to assist us with background information. Hannes' latest contribution to this dialogue is below.

"I have somewhere a b&w picture of the Barclay as originally delivered in Durban, on this particular photo it did not have a name plate but the name "UMHLOTI" was painted on the side tanks in letters which I estimate about 6" high. The original locomotive was also quite extensively lined, lining was applied to the side tanks, cab sides, smoke box saddle, cylinder cleading, cab steps, sand box, boiler bands, crosshead and motion plate, outside counter weights and probably to the cab front and rear panels and possibly to the front of the water tanks as well.

Hannes Paling

One of the highlights of the day was the appearance of the Sandstone Heritage Trust's Decauville "Bathala" and the Kerr Stuart Wren Class locomotive "Little Bess". These are awaiting UK boiler certification but in the meantime they were piggy backed onto one of the narrow gauge flat cars (also from South Africa) and added immense value to the spectacle. 

Full details of their Narrow Gauge tour of the UK in 2008 will be published shortly.

Picture provided by http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/statfold07/index.htm

 

15 Snowdon Street

Barnton

Northwich

Cheshire

CW8 4HY

Tel/Fax No: 01606 783508

 

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

Date: 28th September 2007

 

Dear Wilf

 

Here’s that report on the open day at Statfold Barn Railway. Saturday the 22nd saw Helen and myself ready ourselves for a steamy day in South  Staffordshire. The weather looked promising, early morning mist, still dry air.

 

A few miles east of Tamworth is the Statfold Barn Railway. It is a private railway, with visits by invitation only.

The railway consists of a newly developed dual narrow gauge line of both 2ft and 2ft 6in and 1.5 miles in length around land owned by Graham Lee, chairman of specialist engineering firm LH Plant.

All of the facilities at the railway have been built on land owned by Mr Lee, to create one of the most impressive private railways in the country. With a station, three-road loco shed with pit and crane, a fully equipped workshop, traverse and turntable.

At one end of the operating line is a loop to turn the trains. In addition there is another 2ft gauge around a lake in the grounds of the sprawling farmhouse. Next step is the construction of a standard gauge line.

 It is the ultimate garden railway.

 

The above is a quote, from the Internet, precisely describing ‘The Statfold Barn

Railway’ Our route was straightforward and the journey took us about an hour and a half, arriving at Statfold at 0945hrs. We drove straight in, showed our tickets to the gateman, and parked as directed. All very well organised. As we walked towards the action all manor of steam whistles were heard, and steam arose from all quarters.

So much action, all day, both ‘road steam’ and ‘rail steam’ Graham opened one of his fields for the road steam, and all manner of engines were evident, and in steam, Fowler rollers, Clayton and Shuttleworth, Marshall, Aveling and Porter rollers to mention a few, also Traction engines and steam lorries as well as Diesel lorries. They had a huge arena in which they could show off their prowess and power, hauling heavy loads and making much noise and smoke and steam, an awesome site!

Graham and his team busied themselves running all manner of trains for the enthusiasts and public and press. At any one time there was one train in the station and three trains on the one and a half mile track from the station and round to the balloon, and all steam. Not to mention his garden railway, which had a visiting steam engine and crew from Bournemouth. I would say that all Grahams ‘steamable ‘ engines were in steam, the ‘walki-talkies’ Must have been red hot with all the action of the day! All the workshops were open and all very interesting yielding new interests at every turn. The traverser had a loco displayed and the museum was full of stands and memorabilia. At 1100hrs a tour of the ‘Oil seed plant’ was made available. There were also food stands, where all manner of food and drinks were available

The day was also a chance to meet people from all walks of life and to chat about steam and all things old, new acquaintances were made and old ones remade. I met Malcolm Ranieri and Mike Squires from the ‘Old Glory’ stable, and an old acquaintance from 1960’s, a well-known photographer, Dick Blenkinsop. I last met him photographing ‘Clun Castle’ near Stratford on Avon in the late 1960’s, amazing.

By 1630hrs it was time to say our thanks and set off for home. A really good day was had by one and all, and our thanks go to Graham Lee and all his helpers for making the day go so smoothly and enjoyably.

We will look forward to the next Open Day at Statfold Barn Railway.

 

Sincerely, Helen and Phil Braithwaite.

 

 

STEAM NEWS FROM THE SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY!!!

THE RETURN OF THE GIANTS! PART 1

For many years the Giants remained silent in the dark shed, waiting to be unleashed. The last two weeks we start with the preparations for two of Sandstone Estate’s Giants to return to the mainlines of South Africa. Soon they will steam out of the Shed with might and power. The two Giants are 15F number 3052 and Class 25Nc number 3488 with tender number 3476.

The well known 15F number 3052 is being prepared for a complete Boiler Inspection and once she passed, she will haul the Class 25N dead to Johannesburg.

We started with the de-scaling of the boiler and tubes and used a special water treatment to dissolve all hardened scale inside the boiler. The dome was removed and the condition of the scale around the tubes was inspected. The boiler was filled with water and the treatment was added.

 

A Wood fire was made to get the water boiling to allow the chemicals to get to work.

It took time to heat up the water in this Giant’s Boiler and slowly we feed her to raise heat without stressing the boilerplates. As soon as the boiler cools down, we shall start with the washout and preparations for Boiler Inspection.

While waiting for the boiler to heat up, we started our Bessinger and performed shunting needed in front of the shed at Ficksburg Station. Two loose bogeys were blocking the entrance of the shed and were shunted aside.

Below: The Bessinger performing shunting work in front of the Shed in Ficksburg.

 

We cleaned this gentle Beast before she was shunted outside for the Boiler washout and for repair work that was needed on her. She operated the last time in April last year when the well known artist, David Shephard visited his beloved 15F.

The Class 15F and 25NC was shunted to the line at the side of the shed where we can be able to work one both.

The ejector and lubricator was removed and taken to the Hoekfontein workshop for repair work that was needed. The ejector suffers from a stuck air clack valve while the Lubricator has a choked steam port. The hidden secret faults will be revealed in next weeks report.

Below: Henry, stripping of the ejector with respect. Almost everything done too a Steam locomotive must be with care and lots of respect.

One of the four vacuum cylinders on the Class 23 tender, fitted to the 15F, had a defective roll ring. A 21” vacuum cylinder is extremely heavy and before we could take it off, we had to remove the brake axle safety bracket to enable the brake axle to swivel vertical down, out of the way. The piston rod was screwed out and the hanger bolts were loosened.

Below: The brake axle lever vertical down to free up space for the massive 21” cylinder to come out. The cylinder was loaded and taken to the workshop for overhaul. The cylinder will be tested and will then be fitted back. Even with the one brake cylinder out of action, the 15F still had very good brakes and once this one is fixed, it will have 100% brakes.

 

We started with the washout of the boiler, the dome was removed again and Derrick started taking out all the washout plugs for a proper washout.

 

Below: The washout commenced!

The pilot valve in the header stuck occasionally and the super heater cover on top of the smoke box was removed to access the pilot and main regulator valves. The regulator valves were removed and the cam was turned to enable us to take out all the valves. The pilot valve had a mark on it and needs replacement with a spare one. All the regulator valves will be seated again using grinding paste. It is irritated when the regulator refuses to close and therefore we found it rewarding to find the problem.

Below : water streaming down from the boiler.

 

Below : Derrick removing the header cover on the smoke box.

I found a proper place to keep a close look on Derrick taking off the valve covers. J

 

Below: Derrick holding pilot valve on the right and main regulator valve on the left side.

 

Below : The regulator valves.

 

Below : Albert cleaning the fire box of 3052.

The right side piston packing was blowing badly on her last run, and the stuffing box was taken removed to set the piston packings. Once the stuffing box was out, inspection proved a problem with the segment rings, situated in a ring holder of its own. The ring holder was opened and we will attend to the problem and will set the piston packings.

Below: The right side piston and ring holder with sir clip seen just above the piston in the rear.

 

Below : The ring holder.

 

Below : The segment rings taken out of the ring holder.

We immediately started with the cleaning and cosmetic upgrading of the mighty Class 25 Nc. First we washed her down and then cleaned her. The smoke was then painted with a graphite livery paint, while the tender bogeys will be painted with a very light graphite color paint.

The brakes of the 25NC were a headache and not only were all the braking gears rusted together, but also the vacuum and chamber side was a problem. The release valves were removed from all the cylinders and the pipes had to be re laid to enable us to get the brakes working again.

One of the release valve we removed, had glue in the chamber hole and never could that cylinder ever worked in it life. Most of the brake pipes were stripped off and we needed to fit new ones. All the vacuum chamber pipes and release valves were removed and replaced with new ones.

 

Below : Note the glue in the chamber hole.

The release valves on the two cylinders on the locomotive were totally blocked. It is not sure how all this came inside. Sometimes little bees, but this one had leaves and wool in.

The right side release valve had the same problem, completely blocked.

All the valves were changed and the pipes were fixed. The next was to loosen the rusted braking gears. The easy part was to take the braking gears off, the difficult part was to fit them back.

With the braking gear pins removed, it was easy to oil and loosen the braking gears. The brakes were adjusted and were ready to test. A friendly diesel driver assisted with the use of his vacuum to test the brakes. Sadly the vacuum tests revealed more problems with tiny holes in the vacuum and chamber pipes running under the tender and under the cab to the front chamber tank of the locomotive. All these leaks were fixed and await the kind help of the driver to assist with the vacuum from his locomotive.

Below : Adjusting the brakes under the tender of the class 25 Nc.

Below : Henry greasing the brake axle of the 25Nc.

Below : The small pipe is one of the vacuum pipes with holes in. This pipe is situated under the cab between the loco and tender.

Below: Crawling under a 25Nc tender.

Below: Menasse cleaned and painted the smoke box.

The buffer beams are painted red again and the red driver wheels will be painted black again. The tender bogeys will be painted dark silver, almost graphite color.

Below: Henry under the 25Nc, repairing the vacuum pipes.

 

Below : The rusted braking gears.

With the braking gear pull rod removed, the braking gears could be swiveled easily to enable the oil to work in into the pins and links.

Below : Henry oiled every pin and link to insure the free moving of the braking gears.

 

Below : The inside of the 25Nc, eager to respond!

The vacuum rubber pipes also had holes in and were in a bad condition. They were replaced with new ones.

More news on the 15F and 25Nc to follow next week.

A report on the completed restoration of Class Ngg 16 number 112 to follow! Henk made the number plate for 112 out of wood and it really looks stunning.

STEAM GREETINGS

THE

STEAM TEAM

Bearing in mind that I was overseas for the last week of August and the first two weeks in September we have done very well with progress of the McLaren Traction Engine No. 767. The wheel bearing housings had to be built up on the spigot with weld and re-machined to ensure a close fit on the corresponding hole in the horn plate. Drilling, reaming and tapping holes in the horn plates has been quite a lengthy operation and then thereafter boring out the necessary spigot holes. I have been marking out, drilling and boring the tube plate and the backhead. There will be more details regarding this in the next report.

We have also had success in removing all the necessary keys in the loco wheels and have been able to move all the wheels (apart from one) in the press out by 55mm to bring the gauge out to 610 mm (2ft). The remaining one ( O & K Locomotive No. 11112) I shall have to seek bigger press facilities
as my press will only push 150 ton and this wheel obviously requires more. 

We are now re-profiling the wheels on O & K Locomotive No. 12140 and machining away the centre boss as required to fit the bearings.

0651 Machining wheel bearing housing

0652 Boring spigots in horn plate

0653 Boring spigots in horn plate

0655 Reaming holes of bearing housings into horn plate

0656 Removing keys from Locomotive wheels

0657 Boring spigot on Milling Machine

0658 Trueing up secondary shaft in the Lathe ready for machining

Lukas Nel has obviously got the bit between his teeth as always. He has asked for comment from the experts on the originality of the fabricated parts on this locomotive which can clearly be seen below. This is yet another example where we obtained a Narrow Gauge locomotive which was so derelict that most people considered it to be beyond repair.

It is beginning to dawn on us that this is just the motivation that Lukas thrives on.

Progress on Kerr Stuart No. 4063 Tamara.

Lukas Nel has sent us an updated photograph showing coal bunker, cab and water tank fitted (see last picture below). The fabrication of the chimney is now a problem. Lukas is planning to fit a brass lip on top of the stack but the correct look has he has suffered from some frustration. In his own words, "The correct look eluded us for the complete week and despite several tries we are back at square one.

Lukas will undoubtedly get it right in order to meet his own exacting standards.

The Giants are destined to return into the great future ahead. Steam is very alive in South Africa and with such dedicated people and with all the support over the world we could make it happen. Lets look back to the mistakes of the past and learn from the history of Steam survival all over the world to make steam revive from history. It does not depend on the handful of volunteers; it depends on everyone with a passion for steam, from the photographers to the steam freaks to the general train lovers from all over the world. We need each and everyone’s support, let us keep them steaming, keep them alive forever!

Down at Ficksburg Station we are preparing two of the Giants to head the rails not only to Johannesburg, but also into the future. They will bring back memories, relive the forgotten Railway days, the days we all wish could to come back, but with a new breath of steam we are going to steam into the future! Hold you’re breaths for the Giants are returning!

It all starts with a small team of dedicated people with a passion for steam, a vision of what could become reality if we all stands together and fight for the life of steam!

Avril, 15F number 3052 is one of the Giants. She will lead the way and is prepared to be able to haul our class 25NC dead all the way to Johannesburg where both will be used on special steam excursions in and around the Reef as well as steam specials on lines long forgotten. They will join their sister engines at Reef Steamers and help to generate an income to save their sister engines that soon will be on the list of the cutters. They are eager to perform their duties to help us saving what is left of a great South African Railway fleet. Let us join hand with them and play a part in a great Steam revival.

The last two weeks we spend enormous times with Giant number 3052, preparing her boiler for Boiler Inspection. She is mechanically in a very good condition and only needs the boiler certificate to haul her sister number 3488 to Johannesburg. The Boiler inspection will be done on Monday and Tuesday this week and all looks favorable for her to attain the certificate.

Some time ago we steamed her and tested her. All the repairs were logged and attended to while we prepared her for Boiler Inspection. Her axle boxes will be packed this coming week to ascertain a safe journey.

The Class 15F number 3052 was fitted with a class 23 Tender. One of the four 24” vacuum cylinders suffered from a defective roll ring and we needed to remove this cylinder for vacuum overhaul. The quite heavy cylinder was taken to the workshop at Hoekfontein to replace the defective roll ring. The weak point in the braking system of the class 23 was that if one cylinder roll ring was leaking through, it infected the other three and leaked the brakes of. The class 25 NC was better and only two cylinders at a time were connected to the same vacuum chamber tank.

Stripping the cylinder could not be done without the help of a block and tackle. We took it apart and found the defected roll ring.

The defective roll ring is visible in the photo far right. The defect was determined by running a test-using vacuum.

Below: The cylinder in pieces. The cylinder was cleaned using a wire brush and the new roll ring will be fitted.

While we were repairing the cylinder, we attended to the stuck air clack valve in the ejector.

The air clack valve spindle was bended and was replaced with a new one. While the ejector was on the table, we stripped it and cleaned the cones and valves. The stuck large ejector valve was repaired and the ejector was fitted back onto the locomotive.( Photos above)

The ejector was stripped completely and all the valves and parts were cleaned. The lubricator was washed out with a steam wap to remove all accumulated sparks inside the lubricator.

A huge amount of carbon was evident inside the steam chambers of the lubricator. This was removed and will ensure a proper working lubricator. The carbon will be noted on the two photos below. From left to right.

The lubricator was assembled again and fitted back.

THE REGULATOR VALVES

 

The regulator stuck open when it was operated due to a defective pilot valve. We were lucky to have a new one in store and the defective one was replaced with it. All the regulator valves were removed and cleaned. The valves were then faced with grinding paste, spending three hours of facing till they were perfect.

Below L; the pilot valve. Below center; the seat. Below right; the pilot valve and main regulator valves.

The piston packing was set and the segment rings were repaired. She will be tested in next week to see if the piston packing is still blowing. Below; the segment rings and stuffing box.

 

We finished the washout of the boiler this week and prepared the boiler for internal, external and hydraulic inspection. Thousands of liters water was used to wash out the boiler and sometimes it was needed to really hop into the boiler and crawl all the way to the smoke box tube plate to access the difficult reached places. A kind of scary experience when you know that Derrick is sitting at the dome and threatens to close you inside the boiler J

After three days we finished the washout of the boiler and start wire brushing the inner fire box and cleaned the tubes.

Below are photos of Ponie and Derrick working their harts out on the 15F Boiler.

 

Below left: A view out of the smoke box of 3052.

Below right: The narrow gap to get through when accessing the firebox of the 15F

 

Below are photos taken of the washout of 3052 (Avril)

Some of the washout work was done from underneath the boiler and it was needed to crawl on the braking gears and only one way out, over the wheels and springs. She now was super clean and all arch tubes were cleaned with tube cleaners to remove accumulated scale inside these pipes.

 

While the Inspection takes place, we will remove the axle box dust covers and will repack the axle wool, soaked with new oil.

The old fusible plugs were cleaned and re-leaded.

While we were busy preparing the boiler of 3052, the painters painted our Class 25Nc’s wheels black again. I think Richard Niven will feel proud to see her smiling again. Soon she will ride the rails and her Giant beats will echo the beginning of a new steam career in her life.

After we painted the wheels black, we pained the tender bogey frames in a light graphite livery. She will be cleaned again just before she departs.

 

For many years she waited in a neat shed, to steam again. Soon her dream will come true with the help of dedicated people, living to see her alive. She needs everyone reading this and in return, she will make our dreams come true!

In her face we can see her happiness shinning bright.

Below: Number 3052 and 3488 coupled together at the Steam shed in Ficksburg.

Soon they will join hands with Sister engines based at Reef steamers in Germiston.

 

RETURN OF THE GIANTS PART3 TO FOLLOW

STEAM GREETINGS

THE

Heritage - News

Steam preservation in action

23rd October 2007