Weekly Report - By Stephen du Preez

Stephan du Preez has submitted a report which will be of particular interest to visitors of our April event.

We are making good progress on all fronts and providing there is no extraordinary weather conditions we should be on track.

We have enjoyed considerable support from our technical personnel who are normally based at the Bloemfontein Repair Depot, and we would like to thank both them and the Sandstone staff for their diligence over recent weeks.

Stephan’s report is below for your interest:

 

Rail Repairs

The repairs at Pandora and the length of rail from Pandora to Vailima have been repaired. Work has started at Vailima.

Below you can see some photos of the before and after the repairs have been done at Pandora.

Flood damage at Vailima

Below are some photos from the damage at Vailima. The holes have been filled with building rubble which will be bonded with soil crete to give it the required strength.

Postal wagon

Wouter is finished with all the damaged plates on the wagon and has started painting the frame and the roof of the wagon. I have given Peter the amount and colours of the paint needed for the body of the wagon he is busy getting quotes from some places.
 

Testing and repair of steam locomotives

Leon and Isack have been hard at work to get the locos ready for the event. They discover allot of work that will need attention due to lack of maintenance. I do my best to accommodate them in any way I can. They have steamed up NG17, Lawley 97(James Hall Lawley), NG4, and NGG16 (no.153 & no.49). Most of the locos have some valves and glands that are leaking. All the locos tubes are being washed out and problems fixed as they go on. They are concentrating on the biggest problems first. We are also making notes on all the problems on every loco. I am keeping book on the repairs and work that need to be done on every loco so we can know exactly what is wrong and no time has to be wasted to look for every problem.

The problems that have been fixed

NG4

• Regulator did not close

NGG16 (No. 49)

• Hole in supper heater fixed
• Regulator valve have been re-seated
• Lead plug replaced
• Safety valve seat replaced
• New copper dome gasket fitted

Lawley (BR)

• New pins fitted on brake gear

NG17

• Replaced broken water gauge glass

BSA Rail car

I have fitted all the bolts on the suspension with new bolts and lock nuts and washers. Some modifications have also been made to the sprocket on the rear axle. I test drove it and it did not give any problems.

 

 

Weekly report

We have received the following weekly report from Stephan du Preez on what his department got up to this week.

Click here to view the report - 3.9MB Word document (opens in new window)

A STEAMING YEAR!!!

This year was a very good year for the Sandstone Steam Railway and many train tours were hosted however this is only a small part of what we really are doing down in the Eastern Free State. Also was it a black year for Steam and we lost so many locomotives to the cutters. Chamdor was a disaster and SANRASM as well, but we still are steaming on.

Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.

Click here to view the report - 1.13MB PDF (opens in new window)

 

Sandstone talk to East Anglian Group of the WHRS

Kim Winter has visited Sandstone many times before in the past and we hope to welcome him again soon. He has sent us a report on a talk he recently made to the East Anglian Group of the Welsh Highland Railway Society which some of our readers may find of interest.

Click here to view the report - 1.3MB PDF (opens in new window)

The Sandstone Heritage Trust continues to recover the sad relics from the SANRASM "museum".

All items will be stored in a high security zone in the Eastern Free State.

 

Consolidation continues

The well known steel shed at Kommandonek Farm next to the tar road has been dismantled and is being moved to the main complex at Sandstone Estates. The structure will be used for classic and vintage machinery storage.

St. Helena Days

The SANRASM tragedy has rocked the Preservation community in South Africa more than any other event that has probably ever taken place. Although it was admirable that locomotives were collected and for some inexplicable trucked into the middle of nowhere to be abandoned in Blue Gum plantations or alongside informal settlements, the fact is that the perception exists that the items were safe, i.e. that at least SANRASM had at least one or two or more of each type of Mine locomotive etc. and that they were therefore safe. Overnight that was no longer the case.

The Sandstone Heritage Trust has gone head to head with SANRASM on many occasions and because of Sandstone's relative lack of credibility were not able to negotiate the acquisition of locomotives. However, there were exceptions, as in the case of St. Helena Gold Mine.

This report, which was prepared by Gert Jubileus at Sandstone, is an interesting one because it highlights the fact that just because a locomotive or locomotives go into Preservation it doesn't mean to say they are any safer than they were at their point of origin. Undoubtedly this report will be followed by many more which will deal individually with each class of locomotive that exists in South Africa.

We invite comment and contributions from visitors to our web site.

Click here to view the full report - 720KB PDF (opens in a new window)

RESCUE TO SAFETY - MASSIVE SHED IN TOWN

After years of continued high security costs to guard the trains in the Ficksburg Shed, it was decided to withdraw security from the shed. This however turned out to be a bad decision and one break-in resulted in a R600,000 loss in spares.

The management of the Sandstone Steam Railroad recently decided to move this shed to the yard in Hoekfontein Farm where it will be used for the storage of all unrestored Narrow Gauge wagons and locomotives.

Click here to view Gert Jubileus' report on the move - 1MB PDF (opens in a new window)

Country Music on a Steam Train

Reefsteamers will be running a special train on 4th September 2010 where several Country Music artists will be appearing. 

Unfortunately this article is no longer available.

 

 

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 129 - Railways Africa Article by John Batwell - Issue 2/2005

Click here for a larger view of the article

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News
20th January 2006

RN 149 - The little 2' gauge ex-Ratanga loco

Regarding the little 2' gauge ex Ratanga loco mentioned, which Gert Jubileus is tackling at Sandstone (although he's had to drop it till the festivities are over!) here are some pics I took on the first recce. It's always nice to have some 'before' pics!"

Andy Selfe.
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Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

17th January 2006

RN 158 - David Shepherd reunited with his South African 15F locomotive

3rd May 2006

23rd May 2006 - New photos added to David Shepherd Tour article >>
View Tessa Joughin's photo gallery - "Avril" >> (unfortunately this article is no longer available)
RN 165 - A day to remember - by C.A. Janisch >>
Read the reply -  RN 170 - "RE: A day to remember - by John Ashworth" >>

On the 27th April, world famous wildlife artist and rail enthusiast, David Shepherd, travelled between Ficksburg and Kommandonek (part of the famous Bloemfontein to Bethlehem line) in the Eastern Free State of South Africa behind his 15F steam locomotive number 3052. The locomotive, which is in the custody of the Sandstone Heritage Trust, of narrow gauge fame, was specially recommissioned for this event by Sandstone after being out of service for some 2 years. David was granted special permission by Spoornet to travel on the footplate of 3052.

 

3052 was steamed on the 26th and David had an emotional twilight reunion with the locomotive presented to him by Spoornet in 1991 in exchange for a specially commissioned painting of it. After some quiet time on the footplate in the evening, David expressed his strong attachment to the loco, which is named "Avril" after his wife.

 

The locomotive has been in the custody of Sandstone since February 2004 but David last travelled behind her on a fleeting visit to South Africa in 2002. The 15F was the most numerous class of the then South African Railways, 3052 being built by North British in 1946. The spectacle of this massive loco on 3'6" gauge prompted David to remark that it made his British 9F, 92203, "Black Prince", look small!

Three trips were made in glorious weather during the day over the scenic 13 kilometre route.
After the excitement of the day David was treated to a special sunset run on the Sandstone Narrow gauge behind Sandstone's 1895 built, ex-Beira Railway Lawley 4-4-0, BR7.

3052 performed faultlessly and it is hoped that David will be able to enjoy his locomotive again on a future trip to South Africa.

T. Green No. 2135 -latest report 

On Sunday 9th May 2010 2135 was prepared for a full steam test and road run.

After much work over the winter the engine sounded much better but final timing was still necessary.

We took the roller for a test run of about half a mile, the engine sounded OK, but the gear train was more than noisy and the vibration was horrendous!

And so it was back to the yard and back to the drawing board.

Here we had a conference on what should be done. We decided that the gear train needed to be stripped down and assessed, and repaired as necessary.

And so on Thursday 13 May we started to strip the gear assembly.

Firstly let me explain how we thought that something was amiss.

After the primary gears and selector had been repaired, changing gear was very difficult, this we assumed was that it needed 'running in', but we now know better.

The primary to secondary meshing was too deep! More about that later.

After removal of the ash pan, for 'jacking purposes' the engine was jacked and supported with timbers, for safety, the wheel hub cap removed and the pin and sleeve removed in readiness for rear wheel removal.

This done and the wheel rolled forward and tied off for safety.

We then proceeded to remove the gear guards and put in the barn out of the way.

What greeted us was horrendous.

The differential spur gear was 85 thou loose on the bevel gear shaft, this sleeve bearing was later found to be the original and was already worn out. After removal of the differential spur gear, (laid flat on a pallet) it was found that the 'new bevel gear', which is the drive to the roller was loose on the drive shaft, was later found to be 15 thou too loose! (Should be a 'drive on fit',) and could be pulled off easily and the flat bed keys just fell out! Should also be a tight fit. These keys had had some weld added and filed to 'fit' but were 100 thou too loose!

So together with the diff spur movement and the bevel gear and keys moving, the gear teeth have suffered, and will also need redressing.

So now to the secondary shaft, this was also too loose, both play in the sleeve bearings and laterally (side to side), of some 80 thou and 185thou. Respectively.

This shaft was then removed, for bearing replacement.

So correct gear train meshing could never have been attained, with a combination of incorrect sized bearing, or worn bearings or incorrectly fitted bearings and keys!!

Also to add to the problems, the main drive bearing support casting, which has taken the brunt of this vibration, is cracked, (this has been braised before!), I may however get away with this as it is, we think, supported adequately. See enclosed photos.

So in short the mechanics of this beautiful rare engine have been a total 'Stuff up'

And have caused me a lot of work and some considerable expense, and it hasn't stopped yet!

My biggest headache is to reduce the bore of the bevel gear, this I intend to do by having it's internal diameter chrome plated and reground to fit, plus new keys.

I don't want to have to have a 'new' gear cut, as that would really cost.

As you can imagine this work, could take me the rest of this years rally season, mainly because I am at the mercy of specialist engineering services, but when completed and the engine timing finally done should give me a good mechanically sound engine and roller.

I will then need to have it boiler tested for another year.

In conclusion, so far, I think that the 'Restoration, mechanically' has been very suspect, but at the same time a steep learning curve for me.

Photo gallery

 

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News - Private Rail in South Africa

RN 97 - The Weekly Steam Shed Report - 16th - 23rd September 2005

INTRODUCTION:
This week saw a very busy week at the Steam Shed. We are trying to catch up with the backlog of work still to be done. Each and everyone made a huge effort to make a remarkable progress. The previous report was taken to last Monday, and all in this report was done in four days only.

THE KALAHARI:
Derrick started with the modifying of fire bars for the Kalahari on Monday and was finished on Friday. The Kalahari will now have brand new shaker bars that will work more easily when cleaning fires. In these days of modern technology there is no time and by speeding up the time to clean fires, minimizes delays during operating days. This however does not end here, and a number of smaller locomotives with no shaker or drop rates will be modified to make it easier to clean fires. With modern Diesel locomotives, there are no delays to service stops, and by minimizing service stops with steam locomotives, we could actually place Steam in a better light under the more sceptic Railway enthusiasts. We also await quotes for a “better than A grade coal” for all the smaller locomotives. By using this very rare coal that is actually just for export purposes, we would be possible to operate little locomotives without any fire cleaning necessary. This coal actually just burns away and forms no clinker at all. It is very rich on oils and makes real black smoke without using a lot of coal at one time.
Here is Derrick busy with the modifications to the Kalahari’s fire bars!

THE BARCLAY:
Des fitted two new non-return valves to the Barclay. The old non-return valves were taken of and were faced again. The new ones were fitted halfway on the delivery pipes and will help to prevent blow back from the boiler if the original clack valves would stuck open again.
Above and left, Des is busy with the fitting of the new non-return valves to the Barclay's delivery pipes!

THE VALVE SETTING:
Des stripped of the slide valve covers and started with the measuring of all the motion components. We did found the problem and will be rectified.
Below, Des is busy with measuring and comparing left to the right sides!

WAGON RESTORATION:

THE FLAT WAGON:
A complete under frame restoration was done to the flat wagon. All the brake gears and pull rods were sandblasted and painted with red oxide paint. Arno fitted the overhauled vacuum cylinder to the flat wagon and the brake gears were fitted over the put. A complete vacuum steel pipe was fitted and the brakes were adjusted. This wagon needs a few paint touch-ups to be completely restored. We have stencilled the remaining wooden crates that will be tied onto the new restored flat wagon.
Here are some photos of the new Flat wagon:

B-WAGONS NUMBERS 1629, 2436, 1812:
This three B-wagons was completely sandblasted. New bearings were fitted and the vacuum cylinders were removed and overhauled by Arno.

The overhaul of the vacuum cylinders includes, a new roll ring, new neck ring, Neck ring housing gasket and cylinder cover ring. New vacuum release valves were also fitted.

Ben spray-painted the B-wagons completely and they are now ready to go over the put. We only needs to fit back the three overhauled vacuum cylinders, and fit brake blocks. The brakes will then be adjusted and a vacuum brake test will be done. We then need to paint the handbrakes with yellow paint and will complete the restoration on three B-wagons. We shall have 13 B wagons restored after this three is completed.
It would look spectacular working a train up the Pandora embankment with 13B wagons with a brake van at the end.

3'6" WAGONS:

WAGONS FROM FICKSBURG:
Six 3'6" wagons and three passenger coaches were roadworthy last Friday. Spoornet shunted them on Wednesday and they were moved to Vailima and Kommandonek respectively.

The three passenger coaches were left at Vailima and will be moved by road to be a part of the consists behind the Class 10Cr at the Hoekfontein Station.

THE MOBILE WORKSHOP:
The Mobile workshop was prepared to assist us with the movement of the three passenger coaches to Hoekfontein. This is a challenging and excited exercise that will take place in the next week.
Four 50 ton air jacks were loaded into the workshop and all the rest of the essential equipments and tools.

The Mobile workshop will be parked in the siding at Vailima Station and the full extend of the workshops ability's will be places into act to enable the movement of the almost 20 metre long, 37 tons coaches.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES: INSTALLATION OF SOFTENER HOUSES: Henry just needs to finish the third softener house, almost completed. The other two are already spray painted in a green livery. Len will give the quotes to do the cement works at each water column. As soon as this is done, we can mount the softener houses to the cement foundations and then we will be able to mount the softeners into the houses. The softeners will ease up the wash outs of boilers, for all the undesired elements will be trapped inside the softeners and will not enter the boilers anymore.

COSMETICAL UPGRADING OF DISPLAYED STATIONARY BOILERS:
Jacob started with the cosmetically upgrading of the three stationary boilers on display. He have started with the one at the admission blocks and will proceed to the two standing near the end of the polo field.

TRAINING:
Training is certainly one of the aspects that will never reach the end of the line. We are holding a safety meeting each Friday morning and then have a lecture on operating safety for the last half hour of the Friday shift.

CERTIFICATES:
Des Clark has attended the first aid coarse and have past the required examination to get his certificate in First aid.

Derrick van Zyl has past his fireman training and was issued with a fireman certificate by Spoornet.
Here is Derrick, smiling ear to ear, in front of the locomotive on which he has been passed as a fireman by the Locomotive inspector. This was done during the Avontuur Adventurer in the beginning of September.

The next step for him is to pass his exams on driving these magnificent machines.

PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK:
1.) To move three coaches from Vailima to Hoekfontein.
2.) To spray weeds on railway line
3.) To finish three B wagons
4.) To fit fire bars to Kalahari.
5.) To finish third softener house
6.) To finish Barclay valve setting