Steam in Action – An Association Incorporated under Section 21  –  Registration Number 2007/035119/08
www.steam-in-action.com  -  Email : joannewest@btinternet.com

Introduction :

Dave Shepherd’s Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ is fast becoming a star performer back on the main irons where she belongs.  We Reefsteamers footplate crew and depot staff are excited to be a part of the team effort that are putting this otherwise idle engine back into productive main line type service.  Upon transfer to the Reefsteamers Germiston Depot, this locomotive was serviced, glands replaced, a thorough lubrication service done and the locomotive was repainted.  Even the driver’s seat was replaced.  The tender received attention with a badly holed scuttle plate repaired and a full set of new internal coal space braces and stoker trough covers fabricated and fitted.  The stoker gauges have all been replaced with brand new gauges, a redundant gauge removed and the stoker gauge piping has been refitted. 

On her first revenue earning trip on 10^th February, the power reverser’s lock cylinder leaked oil badly, the powered grate shaker failed (with bad coal, too.) and the brake ejector wasn’t creating adequate vacuum.  But the gallant old lady managed to complete her trips.  The repairs were made over a period of three weeks, and a Reefsteamers rebuilt brake ejector has since been fitted.  Meanwhile, the locomotive was been repainted to her original colour scheme that she wore when she was presented to Dave Shepherd by Spoornet.  She ran again on Easter Monday, which was a much more successful trip.

This engine is just keeps improving, and even the fire lighting crews are noticing what an eager-steamer she is and everyone remarks on how competently the engine rolls the miles away under her wheels.  Here, below, is a fireman’s report that was spontaneously written by Andre van Dyk, a recently qualified fireman who served on Avril’s sprightly second revenue earning run under the SIA banner.

This letter was translated from Afrikaans.  I have expanded on some of the comments for clarity.

- Lee Gates (Reefsteamers) -

3052 Fireman’s Report :

Hi Shaun,

I feel that I should just give you a bit of feedback concerning yesterday’s trip from Germiston through to Magaliesburg, using Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril.’

She is now definitely a very nice locomotive to fire after the improvements to the stoker gauges and their piping.  At the Germiston Steam locomotive Depot, Piet Steenkamp (Retired Senior Steam Driver.) helped me to set the stoker jets.  Thereafter, he traveled in the train behind the locomotive.  I operated the jets, blowing them at 250kPA for about 95% of the time, with the remaining 5% of the trip blowing them at 300kPA.  I gave the locomotive enough time to burn away the newly fed coal.

On all the upgrades, I had the injector on, and at the time we arrived at the top when the regulator was shut, the boiler was ¾ full and the steam pressure never dropped below 150 Pounds.  At Maraisburg, the fire was still so low that it looked like we hadn’t even started a run yet.  At Krugersdorp, I saw that I had occasionally blown the stoker jets a bit too hard; but it wasn’t a problem with the fire still quite low on the fire bars.  From Krugersdorp onwards, I just kept the back corners full and kept the firebox warm for the last stretch to Magaliesburg.

Upon arrival at Magaliesburg, the firebox level hadn’t even risen halfway.  It was still practically a flat fire and there were just small ashy clinkers to get rid of.  We cleaned the fire quickly in less than ten minutes.  Promptly after fire cleaning, we coupled up to the train again and still had 150 pounds of steam with a full boiler.

This is definitely one of the best trips that I’ve had for a long time.  My father (Frans van Dyk) also commented that the locomotive is very strong.  He said that the locomotive just ran away with the load.  (12 coaches and an auxiliary water tanker.)  I reckon that this locomotive is in peak condition, which is good as we will use her for the Free State Explorer Trip.

Regards,

Andre van Dyk

- Andre van Dyk (Reefsteamers) -

An ACTIVE Team Effort :

The preservation and continued running of the special locomotive has been a combined effort by Reefsteamers and Sandstone Heritage Trust, driven by the visions of Steam in Action.  But it must be remembered that Dave Shepherd must be given credit too.  He was given the locomotive in return for a painting of the same.  He could have easily just left the locomotive to idle and rust away as soon as the novelty of owning his own locomotive had worn off, or the preservation there-of had become too difficult or just plain inconvenient.  Without all this teamwork, this engine would have been forgotten and rusting away in Natal.  Fortunately for the locomotive, and for all those that will enjoy seeing her, operating her and riding behind her in the future, Dave Shepherd still has the passion and foresight that has kept this locomotive intact and preserved.

Quote >>> “Dave Shepherd’s decision is being increasingly vindicated with every trip that she does.  Reefsteamers have been tasked with making this locomotive one of the most effective large engines running in live preserved Steam (in-Action) throughout South Africa. <<<

- Wilfred E. Mole (Sandstone Heritage Trust) -

Primarily driven by three entities, Steam in Action aims to
stabilize and further develop steam and rail tourism in South Africa.

Steam in Action Links :

Visit the Steam in Action Internet Home Page :

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Contact Steam in Action by E-mailing :

http://www.steam-in-action.com/

http://www.steam-in-action.com/manifesto.html

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joannewest@btinternet.com

Reefsteamers :

Friends of the Rail :

Sandstone Heritage Trust :

Home Page :
http://www.reefsteamers.co.za.

Email :
Elize@reefsteamers.co.za

Web Home Page :

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/

Email :

trainman@friendsoftherail.co.za

Or  chrisj@spiderconnect.co.za

Home Page : 
http://www.sandstone-estates.com

Email :

joannewest@btinternet.com