Railway Heritage

RN 239 - Weekly Steamshed Report - 26th August - 1st September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 239 - Weekly Steamshed Report - 26th August - 1st September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus


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This week the Hunslet Diesel Locomotive was loaded and shipped down to Port Shepstone to assist with shunting operations needed. The wagons will be shunted out of the bushes to a central place where they can easily be loaded on the low-bed trucks. Two massive Freight Liner trucks are being used to transport the wagons from Port Shepstone to the Farm at Ficksburg . Early on Monday morning, we loaded the Hunslet at Vailima Station and we offloaded the first five wagons from Port Shepstone.

Below: Photos of the loading of the Hunslet Diesel Locomotive
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Below: Photos of the arrival of the first five wagons from Port Shepstone as well as the offloading of the wagons. We offloaded the wagons in Hoekfontein Station and as soon as there are enough wagons here, we shall organise a shunt to move all the wagons into the storage line as well as to the siding at Mooihoek Station.
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Late on Friday afternoon another load of five wagons arrived from Port Elizabeth.
A new home and new hope for these wagons that were left to the elements of nature. These wagons will be offloaded on Monday and the Freight Liners will again depart to collect the rest of the wagons at Port Shepstone.

Below: The next five wagons from Port Elizabeth!
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SANDSTONE STEAM RAILWAY WAGONS:
This week we completed the restoration of the Cattle wagon number 3210. The last paint touch-ups were done and new vacuum pipes were fitted.

Below: Photos of number 3210!
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CATTLE WAGON 3292
This week Petrus made good progress with this wagon and he completely finished the wood work that was required for this wagon.
We stripped of the braking gears, de-scaled and painted them. The vacuum cylinder was overhauled and the braking gears were fitted back.
Next week Petrus will start to sand down the wood on this wagon. New bearings were fitted and the boxes were packed with axle wool.

I am very proud of Petrus for this wagon was only a skeleton, and without any help he did all the woodwork by himself.

Below: Photos of the restoration of 3292!
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Below Right: Jacob fitted the bearings and packed the axle boxes with soaked axle wool. Next week a new vacuum chamber tank will be fitted and the brakes will be adjusted. This wagon will have the same looks as 3210.
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THE BELLIS MORCO:
This week Derrick mounted and aligned the generator to the stationary engine. The bearings were greased and were tested. The next step now is to set up the boiler for this stationary engine. The generator has a 220-volt supply.

Below: The Bellis Morcom and the generator.
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THE PEERLESS TRUCK
This week we jumped into the restoration of the Peerless truck and tried to have it finished by the end of the week, but we still have another day to go before the restoration of the Peerless truck will be complete.

Below: Derrick spray-painted the bonnet and fenders of the Peerless
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Below: Photos of the restoration progress over a two day period.
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A before and after photo of the Peerless Truck!
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TRACK MAINTENANCE:
This week Oupa went on with the track maintenance on the section between Hoekfontein and Mooihoek. He is almost at the Mooihoek Mainline points and will proceed to Vailima in next week. Part of the maintenance of the Railway line is the weed spraying and we sprayed the last two km of line this week with the improved weed spraying trolley. Not only is the spraying now moree effective, but also less time consuming.
The two km took us only one and a half hours in comparison to the four hours previously.

This saves time and lots of fuel too!

Below: Oupa busy with Track maintenance on the line near Mooihoek Station.
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Past
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The Red Devil standing in Bloemfontein Locomotive Depot (1989). The crew was on duty early in the morning and worked a double-header train from Kimberley to Bloemfontein. The crews normally booked off for a few hours while the Shed man refuelled the locomotive and cleaned the fire for the overnight train back to Kimberley.

The locomotives usually departed 21H30 out of Bloemfontein South yard with a single locomotive load and the sound of the locomotives could be heard for about 20 minutes before it stormed into the dark to Sleepdam.
Planning for next week:
1.) To finish final touches to the Peerless Truck
2.) To do Track maintenance from Mooihoek to Vailima
3.) To offload wagons from Port Shepstone.
4.) To finish the two Semaphore signal and to erect them near Hoekfontein Station.
5.) To do repair work to the tri angle points in Hoekfontein Station.
6.) To sand of Cattle wagon 3292 and to varnish and paint it.
7.) To fit doors to B wagon 2968 and to complete its restoration.
8.) To go on with the restoration of the Ratanga Locomotive
9.) To go on with the restoration of the BSA Railcar
10.) The ballast for the new 3’6” storage line will be delivered this week and the lift and pack work needed to this line will be done.
Greet

RN 240 - A visit to Zach van Staden's treasure trove

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 240 - A visit to Zach van Staden's treasure trove

Zach has been helping us out with our restorations for a while now. As you can see from the pictures below, his property and workshops are goldmines of artifacts, engines, locomotives and vehicles just waiting to be restored to their former glory!
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RN 241 - Weekly Steamshed report - 2nd - 9th September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 241 - Weekly Steamshed report - 2nd - 9th September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

Shunting, shunting and more shunting! .

This week the Hoekfontein Station was a very busy marshalling yard when we had to shunt out wagons to free up some space in the storage line for the new wagons, saved from Port Shepstone. The Barclay was steamed in place of the Hunslet that is still busy shunting wagons in Port Shepstone. First of all we shunted out flat wagons, Dz’s and B wagons and took them to the Pandora Pond where they were left to be loaded with locomotive and wagon spares out of the salvage yard.
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Below are photos taken of the shunting and the clearing of wagons to Pandora Pond:

Below left: The Barclay working very hard in the Hoekfontein yard
Below right: The Barclay with the first four wagons at Pandora Pawn.

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Below left: Henry immediately started with the loading of wheels and spares out of the salvage yard.
Below right: Derrick loosened the brakes of the five B wagons, just before departure to Pandora.
A total of 13 wagons were left to load at Pandora.
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We then shunted out all the un-restored wagons to hook up the XC wagon, next for restoration.
Below: The Barclay, working her heart out to move these wagons out of the way.
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Finally, the XC was free to be shunted down to the shed. Another special wagon will now be restored.
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At the same time, we shunted out five wagons, specially selected for having very good condition bogeys (left photo) and then we shunted the first ten wagons from Port Shepstone into the storage line in the Hoekfontein Station where they will await their turn for restoration.
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Henry then took the wagons of their bogeys and very, very momentarily stored them on sleepers near the Railway line.
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All the bogeys then were moved to the Locomotive shed where they will be restored.
In total sixteen bogeys are lined up and ready for restoration. Jacob started immediately with removing of all the old axle box wool. All the axle box dust covers will be fitted, all the brake blocks removed before they will be sand blasted and spray painted with Copper Berry paint.
Eight of these bogeys will be overhauled to spotless condition to be exported.
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On Monday morning, we offloaded the six wagons that came from Port Shepstone.
Below are photos taken of the offloading.
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Photo right: Almost looks impossible, but Henry managed to reverse through the trees with the B wagon.
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On Friday afternoon another six wagons arrived from Port Shepstone. Below are photos taken just as the Freight liners arrived at the Main complex at Hoekfontein.

Another mission accomplished!
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We then offloaded two of these wagons.

Below: An St wagon on its way to find her feet on the Sandstone Steam Railroad railway line.
A foundation to stand on.
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The Sandstone Wagon Report

This week Petrus sanded off the Cattle wagon number 3292 and varnished the wooden sides.
He then started with the painting of the framework of this wagon and will complete it in next week.
Petrus has taken on the task of restoring this wagon all by himself!

Below are photos of 3292
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Next week Petrus will finish the painting of the frame and will then paint the interior of this wagon with Battle Ship grey.

Once this wagon is completed, he will start with the restoration of the XC wagon. One of the new ST wagons will also come to the shed for restoration.		 33

B Wagon 2968

This week Derrick made new hinges for the doors of this B wagon and fitted the doors to it. In next week he will finish the doors and then spray paint the wagon to complete the restoration.

Below: Photos of 2968
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The Locomotive Report

This week we fitted back the spark arrestor plates of the Kalahari that were removed for Boiler Inspection purposes.
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The Ratanga Locomotive

Henry loosened the boiler of the Ratanga Locomotive and is busy removing the smokebox of this locomotive. The Boiler will now be taken to the Bloemfontein workshop for a complete boiler restoration.

Below: Photos of the Ratanga Locomotive restoration.
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Henry will now go on with the restoration of the motion of this locomotive.
Once the boiler is restored, he will be finished with the motion and Henk will be finished with the tender of the locomotive.
All will then be fitted together and she then can ride the rails.
The O&K

This week the regulator of the O&K was taken off and the valve was faced.
The resgulator then was fitted back and the steam pipes too.
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Track maintenance

Oupa went on with the track maintenance on the line between Hoekfontein and Mooihoek, and finished the maintenance at Mooihoek Station. He will now continue with the section from Mooihoek to Vailima.
This was not the only work done on the track this week. We had to make the gab bigger between the point blade and the run through rail on the points at the tri-angle. The gab was too narrow for the wheel flanges of some of the locomotives. The gab is now 2 cm wider.

Below: Photos of the gab before and after (right blade).
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Below: Derrick working on the points.
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The Peerless Truck

Derrick finished the restoration of the Peerless this week.

Below: Derrick and Jacob completing the restoration.
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A daunting task indeed is to keep the workshop clean. I have inserted a photo of the woman who (with a lot of guts) keeps the floors shining and clean every day!

Below: Jemina.
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Past
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In memory of 3349

Class 19D number 3349 resting over a weekend at the coal stage in Theunissen, August 1985.

This was long before the end of steam, though she did not know that within years she would be gone, and her only memory would be in a photo like this. In 1985, there was steam everywhere, fitters running up and down and whistles joyously sang out their songs. Trails of smoke hanging over the steam towns, a scene to make believe it never going to end.

It was a way of living, the sounds of locomotives shunting the yards and then the Express passenger train storming through the station leaving a trail of smoke and a rumble in the Station windows. Today it is silent and these machines now only live in our memories and on photos fading as time goes bye.

Just one question, who could cut up a beautiful face like this?
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK

1.) To finish restoration of 3292
2.) To finish restoration of B wagon 2968
3.) To start with restoration of XC and ST wagon
4.) Track maintenance section Mooihoek – Vailima
5.) To offload wagons from Port Shepstone.
6.) To empty Pandora salvage yard.
7.) To overhaul 16 bogeys
8.) To remove rear unit of 153 and to do needed repair work.
Greet

RN 242 - The First gathering of "Beaulieu Light Railway Supporters" reach The Hampshire "Society Pages"

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 242 - The First gathering of "Beaulieu Light Railway Supporters" reach The Hampshire "Society Pages"

12th September 2006

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RN 243 - "Running ahead of schedule”

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 243 - "Running ahead of schedule"

12th September 2006

Currently four locomotives have entered the restoration production line at the Sandstone Heritage Trust. We are keen to dust out our buildings and in the process have come across some interesting little locos which we have picked up along the way. Typically as one gets lower down the restoration pecking order the state of the locos deteriorates quite significantly. The line-up of locomotives that are currently being addressed are as follows:
1. South African Railways Class NG4 4-6-2T
Ex SAR number NG16 Kerr Stuart 1344/1913

Seven locomotives of this type were built between 1911 and 1914 for use on the Alfred County Railway from Port Shepstone to Harding. They were very similar in design to the Class NG3, built in 1907, which also worked in Natal. The locomotives spent their working lives in Natal and the last of the class, number 16, ended its SAR days as yard shunter at Port Shepstone, later being sold to Rustenburg Platinum Mines in 1953 for use on their extensive 2ft system.
After this was converted to 3’6” gauge in the early 70’s, NG16 was returned to the SAR for preservation, having been finally withdrawn from service around 1967. From then on the locomotive did an extensive tour of South Africa, it was first stored at De Aar depot and then moved to Milner Park in Johannesburg and subsequently to the District Engineers Office in Langlaagte. With the opening of the Humewood Road Narrow Gauge Museum in Port Elizabeth number 16 was moved there as an exhibit before finally returning to its original operating line at the privately owned Alfred County Railway in Port Shepstone. Sadly it deteriorated badly in the sea air.

In 2003 it was moved to the Sandstone workshops in Bloemfontein where it is currently undergoing restoration. Lukas Nel and his team discovered that the frames were bent following a bad derailment around 1953 with concurrent damage to the front bogie and the brake gear. No: 16 will also need retubing plus new water tanks, cab and coal bunker and a chimney.
This locomotive is quite far advanced since work has been continuing in background mode. The locomotive is on lend/lease from the Transnet Heritage Foundation and the Sandstone Heritage Trust holds a signed long-term legal agreement to act as its custodian. The various provisions in the agreement are being addressed and the locomotive will be in steam in 2007. We will publish regular progress reports on the web.

This is a medium sized narrow gauge locomotive of great historical significance.
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NG4 No. 16 at Humewood 15th December 1988
2. O&K's.
The next two locomotives are both O&K's. One is being tackled by Bloemfontein and the other one by Keith Stevens in Howick. Details of the two locomotives are as follows:

Ex Companhia do Assucar de Angola Orenstein & Koppel (O&K) 0-4-0T
(500mm gauge)

One of four locomotives discovered in Angola during the Sandstone visit of 2003 that have been shipped to South Africa. Serving the once thriving sugar industry of the Portuguese colony where the gauge was generally 600mm, the Estate in Caixito (formerly Tentativa) was built to 500mm so these locos are not compatible with the Sandstone system. However many of these small tank units were built to a variety of gauges and have their wheels keyed to the driving axles and can be easily converted to 600mm. As with the other locos from Angola they were found in very poor and run down condition.

Research from the O&K records indicates that the following 500mm units were delivered to Companhia do Assucar in Angola:

O&K 11112/1925 30hp 0-6-0T shipped September 1925
O&K 12140/1930 30hp 0-6-0T shipped April 1930
O&K 12493/1934 30hp 0-6-0T shipped April 1934
O&K 12536/1934 10hp 0-4-0T shipped August 1934

Photographs exist of an 0-4-0T number 3 and an 0-6-0T number 5 in service in 1969, number 3 is believed to be 12536 and number 5, 11112, but further research is required to establish their true identities. The three 0-6-0Ts are currently in storage at Hoekfontein while number 12536, the 0-4-0T is under restoration at Stevens Mechanical Engineering in Kwa Zulu Natal.
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The O&K's as they were found
Ex Huletts Sugar 0-4-0WT
Orenstein & Koppel 2510/1907
This small O&K is of the 40hp type being delivered from new to Huletts Sugar in Kwa Zulu Natal to work on their extensive system. It was later sold to Luipaardsvlei Estates and Gold Mining Co. to become their number 4.

It is believed that it then spent some time plinthed at Krugersdorp Safari Park before moving to the Orient Express (later the Train Restaurant) in Halfway House near Johannesburg.
Initially it was in good condition outside the restaurant but when the restaurant was closed for some time it was vandalised. In 2003 it was purchased from the restaurant on its final closure and is now at Bloemfontein.
Keith Stevens is already quite far advanced with the restoration, while Lukas and his team are currently doing the hard grind in taking this
locomotive (or at least what we have of it) down to its basic components.
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Ex Huletts Sugar 0-4-0WT plinthed in Midrand
3. Illovo Sugar Estates Number ISE 3 0-4-2PT
Kerr Stuart 4063/1924

The final locomotive is a famous locomotive that used to work on
the Illovo Sugar Estate and believed to be the last survivor of a steam locomotive from that system. It is one of the “Darwin” type from this manufacturer, ISE 3 was built at Stoke on Trent in England. It was shipped to Illovo Sugar Estates where it ended its days plinthed in a small park next to the sugar mill. In 1988 it was donated to the RSSA branch in Natal and in 1991 moved to the Midmar Historical Village. Sandstone bought it in 1998.

During its days at Illovo it had been rebuilt with side tanks and had also lost its baloon type spark arresting chimney. In poor condition when acquired it was dismantled for assessment but the boiler is in poor condition.

Once again this last locomotive is historically significant and every attempt will be made to restore it to its original configuration, i.e. as close as possible to the image represented herewith Our restoration facilities are therefore fully committed for the time being.
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ISE 3 Plinthed in the park next to the sugar mill

RN 244 - Drawings needed for the following locos:

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 244 - Drawings needed for the following locos:

13th September 2006

Sandstone Heritage Trust is currently in the process of restoration of the following two 2 ft gauge locos, under the supervision of Lukas Nel, at their workshops in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

1. Kerr Stuart 0-4-2 PT 4063 / 1924 Ex Illovo Sugar Estates No:ISE3

2. O&K 0-4-WT 2510/1907 ex Luipaardsvlei Estates & Gold Mining Co. No: 4

We are experiencing difficulties in obtaining suitable drawings to proceed with the restoration and are appealing for assistance to the world narrow gauge fraternity to obtain these.

If you are able to assist please contact Sandstone at:

+27 (0) 11 799 7400

or

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or snailmail us at:

PO Box 67805
Bryanston
2021
Republic of South Africa


Many thanks
Wilfred Mole
Sandstone Heritage Trust.

RN 245 - Another day at the glue factory Flugel.

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 245 - Another day at the glue factory Flugel.

14th September 2006

Hmmmm! I'm running out of ideas for the introductory line. (Shows, doesn't it?) Anyway, again we were lucky with the weather. When you consider the wretched southerlies that have come through this year, we have been spared the worst on many of our Thursdays. So what happened today? Well, the major news by far, was the arrival of the boiler for 'F13'. So early in fact, that the truck that delivered it was leaving as I arrived. Seems Sir Colin and our Jolly Roger were up and about early today and had breakfasted and arrived in the small hours to receive it. So it was stood on stands in the workshop when I arrived. Well done, Colin and Roger!
Now let's see.........................
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O.K. So what's the denture brush look at the back then?
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It's the outer ends of the screwed stays, which have to be trimmed back to a given protrusion from the outer firebox shell and rivetted over. These stays are now carrying that inner firebox you saw in earlier pics. There are also the ends inside the firebox to do of course. So where are all the volunteers then? Gert and Lukas, this will be all too familiar to you!
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Remember the Vulcan railcar that was stored in the carriage shed to have a tidy up and a new coat of paint?

Seems the person (not a 'regular' Thursday guy) has given up after trying his hand with an angle grinder and a coarse disc. This we will have to fix. Additionally, in the front, a panel had rusted through very badly. This needed to be renewed and with no resident panelbeater in the crew, I asked my son Blair (who also does all that work with Branchlines) for help and he turned up to cut out the old and weld in the new.
Seen here, cleaning out the worst of the rust behind the removed panel, prior to applying rustproof paint. Then welding in the new panel. This work has become urgent with the advent of the new operating season. You haven't seen much of Sir Colin lately? He's been in here wearing away at the endless job of sanding the bodywork.
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Coal delivery day today. Seen here, the truck with an elevator unloading into an 'La' wagon. 'La'? you say? So is that a later version of the 'L' we are restoring? Simple answer...............
It's the all steel, new generation, successor. This is quite a late model (comparatively speaking) because it is on roller axle bearings.
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The 'W' had to be pulled out to get the 'La' wagon out from behind. An interesting picture I thought. Shows a weather beaten gangers hut and the good looking 'W'. Sharp eyed readers will notice the wagon is an all steel flat, on plain bearing bogies, classified 'Ub'.
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Something different? Try this shot in the library. Webmaster Ian McDonald (seeing quite a bit of him lately aren't we?) is in the drivers seat, with John Robb our resident librarian, historian and what have you on the far side and Keith Brown, founding member, carriage restorer and fountain of information on the early days, nearer the camera. I have had the great pleasure to work alongside Keith on occasion and have been wholly delighted with what he has been able to tell me about the early days.
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Our Bob has removed the flooring from the 'L' wagon and I have taken a number of pictures to assist with the reassembly. Why not share some of these with our readers? Why not indeed? Here's a longitudinal shot, to illustrate the unusual angle of some of the longitudinal beams.
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This shows the way the drawgear meets in the middle, transferring the drawgear loads directly from one end to the other without loading the framework. Beneath this is the brake cylinder. Note the poor condition of the two longitudinals on either side. Let's face it, this is why you strip them right down.
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This shows the drawgear at the far end in detail. Very handy to have during reassembly.
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Lastly, here's a look at the new panel in place on the railcar. Thanks Blair!
That'll do till next week. Cheers, 'K'.

RN 246 - Thanks to Sir Colin Flugel - by Kerry Young

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 246 - Thanks to Sir Colin Flugel - by Kerry Young

14th September 2006

Ah yes indeed. My camera threw a sickie and is presently in the camera hospital where they are determining whether the sickness is terminal. Such being the case, Sir Colin stepped into the breech in the pixel picture department and I have just returned from collecting his pictures for this issue. (The pictures were transferred to a jump drive, thereby retaining them at full size.) So, what have we got? Let's see................

Well this week was concrete foundation week. The morning was devoted to final trimming and securing of the boxing. On this site, we will have four containers for secure storage. Seen here, the crew are almost finished the preparations. You know them all, but for the record from L. to R. we have, Yours truly, Graham Inwood, Jolly Roger, Ray Shearman, (not driving anything at the time) and Pete Soundy. The shovels are being leaned on in the time honoured tradition.
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You will note that we are never short of a topic for discussion.
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The beginning of the pour.
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Sir Colin and Jolly Roger beginning the screeding.
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Now for something from the efforts of the Saturday team. They have been at Firestone Tyres, recovering trackwork from a disused railway siding. The forklift makes uplifting the tracks a simple matter.
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When lifted thus, a large portion of the dirt and shingle comes away. What these pictures don't show, is the work that has been done to prepare for this to happen. Undoing tracks like this is quite a labour intensive job to get to this stage.
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Today, the first of the track sets arrived on site.
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So easy these days. Just over two tons each these sets. Andys Castle Rock makes its appearance too. These sets are destined for the continuation of the Valley Line. Does this make you happy Peter? (Jenkinson.)

In a totally different vein;
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Our Colin was with other members who went to look for artefacts out at Oxford and as it happened, attention was drawn to this early Clerestoried 'A' carriage. Quite unusual in that it was both first and second class and very short. 47 ft. did you say Colin?

Very sadly, beyond redemption.
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You only have to look inside and it becomes obvious that decay is the master. What a real pity! It was written off in 1954, so the elements have had time to do their damage. Colin thought it dated from 1887 or thereabouts. Almost qualifies to go on the heritage train.
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Wherever you look, the Dragon Decay has taken its toll. Leaves you feeling depressed doesn't it? The shaping of the timber there is crying out for preservation and how good it would look when finished! (They don't build them like that any more :-( ! )

So there you have it for another week. Again my thanks to Colin for making his pictures available and very interesting they were too. It's good to get out and about, to see aspects other than the workshop and restoration. Till next week it's so long from me.

Cheers, 'K'.

RN 249 - Charles Viljoen has pulled another proverbial rabbit out of the hat

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 249 - Charles Viljoen has pulled another proverbial rabbit out of the hat

15th September 2006

Charles Viljoen, one of South Africa's most experienced steam engineers and modellers, has pulled another proverbial rabbit out of the hat. This time a beautiful scale model Lawley operating on 7 1/4" gauge.

Charles has taken four years part-time to build this locomotive from scratch. Our pictures show Charles and his father Sarel who has been assisting him with the machining of parts, and the loco shot from different directions. It is about to be put into steam for the first time.

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RN 250 - A Change of Flugel - by Kerry Young

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 250 - A Change of FLugel - by Kerry Young

15th September 2006

And so it was to be sure! Ah, what a difference it makes, to be able to work without the cold biting into your back! So what of today?....................

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First up, we've got water in the pit. Second, the pump won't pump. Third, get Ray (a plumber by trade) to take a look at the thing. Intake valves seized, very solid. Still water in the pit at 'go home' time, so assume pump repairs not successful.
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R14 in its new guise. The timber within (remember?) gets fresh air to dry with, but little rain.
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The 'L' wagon from last week has been started on. Bob's right into it.
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How do you undo the rusted nuts on coach bolts? With a slitting disc of course!
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Going,
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going,
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Gone!
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Still on the 'L' wagon, Roger addresses all the uncrowned heads. L to R, Ian McDonald, new member Jane, mighty, mirthful Max, Sir Colin and our omnipresent Roger, supporting the broom. Kind hearted abuse being happily shared. Why? It's free of course!
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So who is Jane? A young lady, recently joined and more or less attached to the sparkies. Seen here, cleaning conductor cable clips for the overhead.
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A1177 proceeding well. Soffits and associated timberwork in place. So good to see.
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Our example of a steel panelled guards van. Showing a tasteful assortment of colours. One of the latest items of rolling stock we would have I think. (Correction Colin?) Took this picture while it was unobscured by other rolling stock. Used to be around in their hundreds. That's it for this time folks. Cheers, 'K'.

RN 251 - A bit of this & a bit of that Flugel - by Kerry Young

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 251 - A bit of this & a bit of that Flugel - by Kerry Young

15th September 2006

Interesting. Very interesting. The various books and magazines that people collect. Over more recent times, the Thursday Gang has developed into something of a book exchange. Seems there are people everywhere exchanging publications of interest. Makes for a very interesting extra to the day.

So what of the day anyway?...........................

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Almost too late to get this shot. Not as good as I would have liked but what we have here is, Tr22 with the 'F' and what's left of the 'L' wagon. They have been rearranged to have the 'L' to the rear so we can work over the pit with the 'F' and also be free to roll it backwards and forwards as we complete the work on the motion. I had the pleasure of walking beside the 'F' as it was pushed back inside and followed the action of the Stevensons valve gear as it rolled. How many people have been able to do that? The gear being inside the frames makes it difficult to follow in normal practice.
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This is as near as the boiler will get to the frames for some time to come, but still, it's good to have them even this close together.
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Mention of the boiler, I managed to get this shot of the two great minds in collaboration regarding the smokebox of the 'F'.
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This is our Ray Shearman. Driving as usual, but this time a weed sprayer. Ray does a great job with this in the season. Starts around six in the morning with the advent of the better weather.
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Back to the 'F' and Roger is looking in detail at all the motion work before we bolt it up for good.
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No chance for idle talk while the thicknesser is roaring in action. Our Keith was machining up some timber for the carriage.
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Mention of the carriage brings to mind something I learned during the week. I heard mentioned the term 'Scarret Carriage'. Seeing I didn't want to appear to not know what sort of carriage that might be, I kept my peace and appealed to a higher authority. I received this reply............

"Further to the Scarrett designation of carriages, the name relates to the type of seat. The Scarrett seat has a roll over back, to reverse the seating position, which also alters the angle of the seat cushion, so retaining maximum comfort. They were fitted to NZR 2nd class cars from the late 1920's.

Regards,
Colin (Sir)"

There you are chapter and verse. Thanks again Colin! (Sir) The picture shows three seats in the carriage giving an idea of how the system works.
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I couldn't find the 'N' wagon. Turns out it had been put on road three. There were a couple of shady characters skulking in the background when I turned up to get my picture. Who could they possibly be?
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Sir Colin has been carrying out a lonely vigil on the railcar. Man, there's such a lot of work to be done there, but he assures me he has it under control.
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'Bump Clearance'. It has been determined there is insufficient of the stuff on the forward R.H. end. Mike Webb is seen here reaffixing the cylinder end prior to doing another check. He and I spent some time later, re checking the truth of the crosshead slidebars on that same side. With the result that we elected to re-do the setting up of the bars. Finally got what we wanted, just as it was time to go home.
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There has been track being lifted in the Firestone yard by the Saturday team. This is a bucket containing some of the rail bolts from the job. These we have been cleaning and fixing the threads, for re use on the valley line. Peter Jenkinson is really chafing at the bit to get going on that project.

That's all for this week. See you in seven days time. Cheers, 'K'.

RN 252 - Weekly report - 10th - 17th September 2006 - by Gert Jubileus

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 252 - Weekly report - 10th - 17th September 2006 - by Gert Jubileus


1
WAGON REPORT
CATTLE WAGON 3297

In the photo above, we can see a very proud man next to the wagon that was nothing more than just a skeleton. Petrus rebuild this wagon all by himself and proofs that he did a great job with this cattle wagon. This week Petrus painted the in and outside of this wagon and he spray-painted the bogeys and under frame. This wagon is very near completion and only needs a vacuum chamber tank and a few touches up paint jobs to be complete.

Below are photos taken of the restoration of this wagon during the week.
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Above: Before the complete renovation
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The next wagon challenge for Petrus will be to restore the XC wagon. We therefore emptied this wagon this week and the XC will be shunted down to the shed in next week.

Below are photos taken of the XC wagon.
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B WAGON 2968
This week Derrick fitted doors to the B wagon and spray painted it. In next week this B wagon will receive final paint touches and the restoration will be complete.

Below are photos of the B wagon restoration.
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There are now 54 restored wagon on the Sandstone Steam Railway, but it does not end here. This week we offloaded six wagons from Port Shepstone and another six arrived on the farm late Friday night. This wagons will be offloaded first thing on Monday morning for there are no time to waste, the Freightliners will continue there journey back to Port Shepstone to rescue the rest of the wagons.

Below left: Wagons from Port Shepstone at there new home.
Below right: Another six wagons from Port Shepstone!
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BOGEY RESTORATION:
This week sixteen bogeys were sandblasted after 64 axle box dust covers were fitted to them. All the brake blocks were removed to enable the sandblaster to reach every square inch of the bogeys. After sandblasting them, the bogeys were moved down to the Wagon Shed where they are currently being spray-painted.

Below: Jacob fitting the 64 axle box covers to the bogeys.
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Then it was time for “The Man On The Moon” To sandblast the bogeys.
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No time was wasted after the bogeys were sandblasted, and we immediately spray-painted the bogeys with Red Oxide.
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Below: The end result.
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During the next week, all the bogeys will be spray-painted and the bearings and brake blocks will be fitted back.

LOCOMOTIVES:
THE RATANGA LOCOMOTIVE:

This week Henry went on with the restoration of the Ratanga Locomotive. He still battles to get the smoke box separated from the boiler. The frame was lifted and the rear bogey was removed. Next he will remove the driver and pony wheels of the locomotive and will then sandblast the complete frame.

Below are photos of the Ratanga restoration.
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Once the frame is sandblasted, it will be sprayed before the axle boxes and wheels are placed back. The motion will then be fitted back.

THE BARCLAY:
This week the Barclay received a little attention to her mechanical lubricator. The Mechanical lubricator was stripped and the ratchets received attention.

Below: Photos of the Mechanical Lubricator and ratchets.
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THE FELDBAHN AND PECKETT
This week we stencilled the Boiler Test plates for the two new locomotives. Derrick fitted the test plates to the locomotives.

Below: Photos of the Test plates.
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PANDORA SALVAGE YARD
This week Henry loaded all thirteen wagons with spares and wheels from Pandora, but we will have to shunt down another six wagon to load it all before we can steam a Giant to blast a giant trainload.
Below are photos taken of the thirteen wagons full of spares!
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GENERAL
This week two Link truck loaded with seventy tons of coal arrived on the farm. This was a good time to start a Health and Fitness club at the Steam Shed, so we offloaded both truck by hand, thirty minutes on each truck. Below are photos of the offloading!
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All the coal then was moved into the Coal Shed with the loader and we also cleaned up the outside of the coal shed. The Coal Extractor also was moved to a more suitable place.
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Past
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Abandoned in Bloemfontein Locomotive Shed! 1988
Look very close to her face. She looks happy, even though she was abandoned after years of serving the Railways. Maybe she had hope; hope that someone will come to her rescue before it is to late. She also thought that it will never end, that she will live for ever and ever, but her time is running out and in-human cutters can’t wait to bring her down. She has a living soul that will come to life with a heart of fire.

Is this her end?

Will she be a picture from the past, a glimpse of what could have been?
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK

1.) To finish the restoration of 3292
2.) To finish restoration of B 2968
3.) To finish the restoration of eight bogeys
4.) To shunt 5 wagons to Pandora
5.) To shunt all the loaded wagons to Hoekfontein Station.
6.) To load Pandora completely.
7.) To start with the restoration of the XC wagon
8.) To start with the restoration of a ST wagon. (Timber wagon.)
9.) To ballast 3’6” storage line.
10.) To offload wagons from Port Shepstone.
11.) To finish the restoration of the two Semaphore signals and to put them up near Hoekfontein Station.
12.) To move Home signal for Hoekfontein station for restoration.
13.) To build a 3’6” storage line for the wheels from Pandora.
14.) Track Maintenance section Mooihoek to Vailima.
15.) To fit water softeners at columns.
16.) To fit ejector onto Peckett.
17.) To remove 153-rear unit and to do repairs.
Greet

RN 253 - Weekly steam shed report - 18th - 24th September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 253 - Weekly steam shed report - 18th - 24th September 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

26th September 2006

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Locomotive Report:

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CLASS NGG 16 NUMBER 153
This week we shunted 153 to the inspection put to loosen all the steam pipes and braking gears under the locomotive to enable us to remove the rear unit to do all the necessary repair work. The locomotive then was shunted back where we could jack the main frame to roll out the rear unit.
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We had to jack the main frame high enough for the pivot to clear all the parts while we rolled out the rear unit. First of all the place where repairs are needed, will be cleaned before we start.
Below: A photo of the pivot from a different angle.
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THE BARCLAY:
This week we steamed the Barclay to shunt in the Steam Shed as well as in Hoekfontein Station. Another six wagons were shunted out in Hoekfontein and were taken down to Pandora.
A Total of 19 wagons were taken to Pandora during the last two weeks to load all the wheels and spares.
Below: The Barclay just arrived at Pandora with another six wagons to load.
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Henry loaded all the wagons and they are ready to be collected in next week.
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Class NGG 13 number 49 will be steamed in next week to load this bulk load of spares.
After we shunted down the six wagons, we collected the XC wagon at Mooihoek Station and shunted it down to the shed together with a ST wagon.
Wagon Report:
ST number 622
We shunted the ST wagon down to the shed and removed the bogeys. The frame was placed on sleepers and the wagon was sand blasted and spray painted with Red Oxide paint. Both the bogeys also were sand blasted and were also painted. This Red Oxide is different from the sort that we use to spray the B wagons with, and is only a undercoat to prevent it from rusting again. The upright side will now be made and will be fitted before the final coat of Admiral gray paint will be painted.
Below: Photos of the ST restoration.
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XC number 2227
Jacob sandblasted this wagon this week. The wagon will be spray painted with QD industrial Red Oxide in next week. After the cosmetics are done, it will be taken to the put for a full mechanical restoration. This wagon will be completed by Friday next week.
Below: Photos of the XC restoration.
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The buffer and buffer colour will be painted black and the side lathers will be painted yellow.
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After this restoration is complete, we shall start with the restoration of a modified B wagon that arrived from Port Shepstone late Friday night.
Below left: Wagons from Port Shepstone
Below right: The modified special B wagon.
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This is a gorgeous B wagon!
This was the second load of wagons from Port Shepstone this week. The first load is already offloaded.
Below are photos of the line of wagons from Port Shepstone.
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MORE WAGON NEWS:
The B wagon 2968 received some colouring in this week and new vacuum pipes and couplers were fitted to 2968 as well as to 3297.
Below are photos of the B wagon and the Cattle wagon.
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WAGON BOGEYS
This week we spray-painted all the bogeys and fitted bearings to all of them. Petrus painted the brake blocks. The eight bogeys that were fully restored, wheels were painted black while the un-restored bogeys wheels were not painted.
Below are photos of the bogey restorations.
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MORE RAILWAY NEWS:
This week the restoration of two Semaphore signals were completed. Petrus did the last paintwork that was needed while Derrick fitted red and green lenses to the two Semaphore arms. These two Signals are now ready to be erected one at each side of Hoekfontein Station.
Below are photos of the Signals.
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WATER SOFTENERS
This week we assembled the water softeners and they are now ready to be fitted into the little green houses at each column.
Below: Derrick assembling the softeners.
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WORKSHOP SIGNS:
This week we have put up the safety signboards that were made some time ago. It is very difficult to take a proper photo of the signs due to the light coming through the see-through plates in the roof. We also planted another sign outside the shed.
Below are photos of it.
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Past
37_Past

The Gold Mines, a place where the faithful servants of man were tested to the limits. Not only did they convey ore to the plants, but also sometimes even the dirty locomotives were made to shine when groups of school children visited the Steam shed. In the year 2002, this was the only place where 3’6”steam could be seen in the Free State. For these children it was a day to remember forever.

What we did not know was that in just months it would be the end of Steam... forever silent.
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK
1.) To finish restoration of the XC wagon
2.) To fit softeners.
3.) To offload wagons from Port Shepstone.
4.) To erect two Semaphore signals.
5.) To shunt 19 wagons from Pandora.
6.) To offload 19 wagons
7.) To do repairs on 153
8.) To start restoration of modified B wagon
9.) ST 622 restoration.
10.) ST 248 restoration.
11.) To stencil wagons.
12.) To ballast storage line
13.) To move Class 10Cr to make level crossing more visible for trains and cars.
14.) To fit Mooihoek station name board.
15.) To make nubers for points
16.) To start restoration pf Home signal for Hoekfontein.
Greet

RN 254 - Weekly steamshed report. 25 September - 02nd October 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 254 - Weekly steamshed report. 25 September - 02nd October 2006 - By Gert Jubileus

2nd October 2006


1
This week we steamed the class NGG 13 number 49 to shunt the loaded wagons from Pandora pond to Hoekfontein Station where we will offload the wagons next week.
Derrick filled the boiler with water and prepared the locomotive for a hard days work in the shunting yard at Hoekfontein Station.

Below: Derrick filling the boiler of 49.

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She was in Steam at 11H00 Thursday morning, and we first had a three-hour shunt in Hoekfontein to shunt all the Port Shepstone wagons into the storage line and to shunt out two wagons that will undergo restoration very soon.
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At 13H30 we were finished with the shunting work that was needed to clear the main lines in Hoekfontein Station and we replenished 49's thirst before we departed for Pandora.
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The nineteen wagons were split into two separate trains and with the first train; we hauled seven loaded wagons to Hoekfontein Station.
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We again topped up the water before we returned to haul the last 12 wagons to Hoekfontein.
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All the brakes were loosened and a vacuum brake test was done on the wagons before departure to Hoekfontein Station. Derrick had to shovel lots of coal into the firebox of 49 before we could depart and he made sure that she was hot.
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We had the Orange Express headboard on the front of the Locomotive, but there was no way that we could keep up with the Orange Express timetable for the load was heavy, but 49 proved herself again and even though we were running at a walking pace of three km/h at some of the gradients, full open regulator without slipping, she managed to reach Hoekfontein Station just before sunset.
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SANDSTONE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES:
THE RATANGA LOCOMOTIVE
This week Henry removed the driver wheels of this little locomotive and he descaled the wheels.
The frame will now be sandblasted.

Below: Henry busy with the restoration of this little locomotive.
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CLASS 10CR
Because of the hidden level crossing behind the consist of the Class 10Cr, we had to move the massive locomotive ten meters forward to make the crossing more visible for vehicles traveling over it.
We used a huge tractor to move the 10Cr.

Below are some photos taken of the moving of the 10Cr.
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THE FUNKEY DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE:
This week we offloaded the Funkey Diesel locomotive.
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This little Diesel locomotive will come very handy to assist us with the shunting of the wagons while the Hunslet is in Port Shepstone. We used her to shunt down the gorgeous modified B wagon as well as an ST wagon that will undergo restoration very soon.

Below are photos of the offloading of another load of wagons from Port Shepstone, as well as the shunting operations with the Funkey.
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Below right: A photo of the inside of the modified B wagon.
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SANDSTONE WAGON REPORT:
THE XC
This week the XC wagon was painted with Red Oxide for an undercoat and the paint work will be finished during the next week when the XC will be shunted to the pit for a under frame restoration.

The wind was blowing like hell this week and it was a waste to even try to spray paint this wagon.
We instead used a roller to give the wagon an undercoat to prevent it from rusting until we can spraypaint it.
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ST NUMBER 622
This week we lifted the wagon and rolled the bogeys back underneath the wagon to make it mobile again. This wagon will now undergo an under frame restoration and the new steel sides will be made.
Below are photos of this wagon.
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STORAGE LINE
Henry and Oupa laid sleepers next to the Black water tank wagon and brought ten rails for this storage line that will be used to store the 3”6” bogeys and wheels on.

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Past
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Class 16Cr, St Helena number 1, now at Sandstone Estates. In front of her a pair of 14CRb locomotives can be seen, accidentally cut up in 1998. Three Class 16Cr locomotives were sold for scrap, but the two 14CRb locomotives were sold to a private collector. One of the Class 14CRb locomotives was still complete at that time.

The new Locomotive foreman of St Helena decided one morning that the three 16CR locomotives together with the two 14CRB locomotives should be shunted out of the Locomotive yard. For me, it was the worst job someone can ever give me, to shunt locomotives out to be cut up. It was if these locomotives knew what’s going to happen to them and I could hardly manage to shunt them out. Their big driver wheels just refused to turn along. One of the three 16CR locomotives was my first regular locomotive when I started to work at St Helena Gold Mine in 1993. In August 1998 the three 16CR locomotives were cut up, and one night the scrap dealers worked throughout the night and accidentally cut the boilers of both the 14CRb locomotives that were sold to the Private collector.
PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK

1.) Load the bogeys for the trip to Durban.
2.) Go on with the restoration of the XC and ST 622
3.) Offload the wagons from Pandora.
4.) Erect the Semaphore signals at Hoekfontein Station.
5.) Weed spraying on the Railway line.
6.) Start with restoration of B wagon 2422.
7.) The repair work on No.153.
8.) Make the numbers for the points
9.) Start the restoration pf Home signal for Hoekfontein
10.) Stencil the wagons.
11.) Ballast the storage line
12.) Fit the softeners
13.) Fit the Softeners.
14.) Fit the Ejector onto the Peckett.
15.) Finish the War Van.
16.) Clean the passenger coaches.
Greet

RN 255 - Funkey 4WDH Underground locomotive

Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News

RN 255 - Funkey 4WDH Underground locomotive

3rd October 2006

Little is known about this diminutive loco which was bought at an Impala Platinum Mines auction along with a number of other ex mine locos. It is fitted with a Gardiner 3LW 3-cylinder diesel engine and has air brakes on the loco. In true vintage style it is started by means of a crank handle. Also finished in beige and red it is used for light shunting. It has just returned from Zach van Staden's workshop for a major service.
Now back at Sandstone to resume her light shunting services.
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