The recently retubed number 113 has undergone and passed its hydraulic test with the aid of a pump dating back to 1890. Originally steam driven, the pump saw service in Bloemfontein until the 1970’s when the depot literally ran out of steam and it was converted to air operation and, as our pictures show, is still giving sterling service.

It proves the old adage, “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”!

The boiler of 113 will soon be returned to Hoekfontein to be swapped with the similar boiler of NGG13 number 49 for its retubing.

The boiler of NGG16 number 113 is now also complete and the boiler will now be blanked off to receive its hydraulic test. Our picture shows the completed firebox tube plate.

News from Bloemfontein. The NG10 receives its new boiler.

The rebuilt boiler for NG10 number 61 has been re united with the loco frames after its extensive repairs by Keith Stevens. Our pictures show unloading the boiler from the Sandstone lowbed and placing the boiler into the waiting frames of number 61. A very exciting day for the restoration of the NG10!

The small and large tubes for number 113 have been fitted and expanded into the firebox tube plate. Our pictures show the small tubes expanded and fitted and the setting up of the expanding machine for the large tubes. Not long to go now.

The hard work is paying off and the small tubes have now been placed in the boiler. The larger tubes have been swaged and will be fitted early next week. Not too long to go now!

The boiler tubes have now been swaged and annealed ready for fitment into the boiler of number 113. Our pictures show the tubes being swaged and then annealed and cooled by being covered with clean sand.

The latest Steam Report from the Sandstone Steam Team

Click here to Read

Lukas Nel and the Bloemfontein team have completed the fitting of all the copper ferrules in the firebox tube plate of number 113. Out pictures show the copper raw material, sealing the ferrules into the tube plate and the completed job.

The hard work continues at Bloemfontein with the copper ferrules being placed in the tube plate prior to the final fitting of the tubes. Our pictures show the delicate process of fitting the ferrules and a completed section of the tube plate. The ferrules are then expanded and act as a seal between the tube plate and the boiler tube when fitted.

The repairs to and preparation of the front tube plate are now complete and the retubing will begin very shortly.

The completely rebuilt boiler for NG10 number 61 has now been completed by Keith Stevens and his team at the workshop in Howick. The boiler will be collected shortly for transport to Bloemfontein where Lukas Nel’s team will continue with the final restoration.

Work on cleaning up the tube plates is nearly complete although the grinding and welding is a slow but necessary process of the retubing.

Click here to see the latest Sandstone Railway news.

We could not resist these photographs of our Lawley BR7 (SAR NG 106) and sister NG105 that we received from Hannes Palling. They show the sisters at Fort Beaufort where they worked sometime between 1930 and 1934 and are credited to SH Carter. These two locos are the only Lawleys fitted with the “Fowler” type bogie tender. The other photo is of Hannes’ magnificent live steam model of NG105.

Sandstone receives its Railway Safety Regulator operating permit for 2018.

The Railway Safety Regulator has issued Sandstone with its operating permit for 2018.

It has been issued without any exceptions. Click here to view