The Lake Goldsmith Preservation Association in Victoria, Australia has sent us their latest Goldsmith Gazette with a very well reserached and illustrated article on the history of the fire engine, from the earliest steam powered version to a Boeing 747 Supertanker. Sandstone has a small collection of these type of vehicles and we think we should be looking for a few more after reading this excellent article. Even if you have little interest in fire engines you will find this enthralling.
Click the below image to read PDF
Good progress has been made on the cosmetic restoration of the ZASM “B” 0-6-04T number 230, “Jan Wintervogel”. The stripping of the locomotive has been completed together with the cleaning of the main components. Our pictures show the boiler and frames now completed and painted in red oxide together with the side tanks and the cab roof and cab coal bunker.
Work will now continue on a number of smaller parts from the locomotive that will be cleaned and stored for safekeeping.
Our last picture for interest shows number 230 at Waterval Boven station in 1998 while operating a tourist train down the line to Waterval Onder. Luckily 15F number 3094 was on hand to tackle the heavy gradients to bring the train back to Waterval Boven!
With the boiler now mounted and positioned correctly in the frames work has begun on fitting the lagging and cladding to the boiler together with the boiler rings. Our pictures show the final bolt hole being drilled for the boiler in the smoke box saddle, the boiler with the boiler rings and the first lagging in place plus one of the boiler rings.
The work schedule to complete the loco is as follows:
Locomotive.
Fit main steam pipes and blast pipe.
Set valve timing
Fit all boiler mounts and cab fittings.
Fabricate new cab
Tender:
Complete fabrication of new tender frame and fit new tank already completed.
As you know Sandstone Heritage Trust is a member of the South African Museums Association and we have some exciting news for our younger readers from the National English Literary Museum..
Here's an exciting opportunity for young photographers, at the National English Literary Museum.
Get your kids involved, they can use their cell phone cameras.
"Youth of South Africa! Participate in the National English Literary Museum's new exhibition, 'Humanature'.
Submit photographs that look at environmental issues and/or their solutions, and your photos will appear in the exhibition.
Photos taken on any device or camera are welcome. Click here to see the flyer for details, and please share."
We could not resist this picture from Rico Viljoen of Sekonyela Mountain at dusk after a stormy afternoon.
Sandstone recently successfully bid for a Transnet tender to complete Phase 1 of the restoration of two locomotives at Bloemfontein which are destined for the Museum project there. These are ZASM “B” number 230, “Jan Wintervogel” built in 1898, originally from Waterval Boven and Class 4AR number 1555 of 1913 vintage from the Millsite compound. Phase 1 involves stripping the locomotives and thoroughly cleaning all parts before a protective coat of red oxide paint is applied. Work is progressing on the ZASM “B” with the cab and side tanks removed. The tanks have been cleaned and painted as the picture shows. The frames and boiler section will be attended to next. Number 1555 has been reunited with its tender which has had new bearings fitted together with new axle box covers. Once the work is completed on number 230 the team will start on number 1555 which is a much more extensive and bigger (literally) project.
The boiler section of number 113 has now been returned to Sandstone where new superheater elements will be fitted by Gert Jubileus and his team. The Bloemfontein team under Lukas Nel will now concentrate on completing the restoration of NG10 number 61. The retube of NGG!# number 49 will be held over till later in the year.
