Restoration of NGG11, No. 52 commences

29 July 2011 Update

The ex SANRASM  NGG11, No. 52, was a sad and seriously neglected locomotive. This has resulted in the need to fabricate many missing parts and to replace those that have become of no use due to the vagaries of time.

Two return cranks

We had to fabricate most of the side rods and valve gear.

We start to construct the complete coal bunker for NGG11.

 

 

15 June 2011 Update

This big task is progressing steadily alongside many other projects.  Restoration has started on one end of the locomotive and the water tank is nearly complete.

1 April 2011 Update

Garratt Bucher in the USA kindly copied us on an South African Railways NGG11 Parts Catalogue that he found in his father’s collection.

We have passed this onto Lukas Nel and his team to assist them in the restoration of this locomotive.

Thank you Garratt.

Click here to view Parts Catalogue - 3MB PDF (opens in new window)

 

8 March 2011 Update

We have started repairs to number one end frames. Number one end valve motion has been stripped and is ready for repairs to steel pins and brass bushes at private contractor.

 

9 December 2010 Update

Here are some photos on the time consuming job of removing the boiler tubes of locomotive boiler. We had to strip the complete boiler by Sunday night.

15 November 2010 Update

Steady progress is being made. Our pictures show the beginning of extensive boiler work. The boiler will be completely stripped by 10^th December 2010.

The picture below shows the components being assembled prior to refurbishment and/ or replacement.

12 November 2010 Update

The two photos below show where we removed the wheels from the number one end frame. Both wheels and frames are in a bad condition mainly due to rust and some derailment damage caused many years ago.

 

5 November 2010 Update

N umber one bogie stripped from the few side rods and valve motion that was still intact before removing the wheels.

As the photos show there is no way the axle boxes can be removed from the frame in a hurry. Badly rusted and close to be ruined. Used lots of diesel to try and break the grip of the rust without success this week. The neglect of the loco as expected will be costly.

28 October 2010 Update

There are very few people who are not aware of the parlous state in which NGG11, No. 52 found itself. It has been at SANRASM South Site for many years. It was left outside the fence next to a road and completely vulnerable to the elements and to scrap thieves.   It wasn’t even on a piece of rail – it was just left on the ground.

It was recovered by a Sandstone Heritage Trust team on Friday, 15^th October and moved to Bloemfontein.   On Monday, 18^th October, Lukas Nel and his team commenced an evaluation of the locomotive. Lukas’ comments and photographs are as follows.

For further information see: http://www.steam-in-action.com/images/stories/sia/20101019/sia oct10 newsletter.pdf.

The locomotive as found

The boiler unit awaiting its turn to be loaded without its engine units at SANRASM

A couple of pictures shiow the loadings of the engine units at SANRASM

The boiler and cab unit as loaded

The engine units arrive at Bloemfontein works

The NGG11 as she looked upon arrival in Bloemfontein recently

The body work is in very poor condition as one can see from these photographs

Engine units have been stripped ready for rebuilding

The boiler being the heart of the unit has been separated from the rest of the locomotive and is now receiving attention from the boiler makers.  Its condition is not particularly good but within the technical competence of our Bloemfontein team to restore.

Removing the rust and exposing the bare metal is now a priority.
The team faces a tough job in getting this locomotive restored to pristine condition.