Sandstone Heritage Trust – Rail News

17th January 2006

RN 140- The Funkey mine locomotive fully re-built by Zach Van Staden and Associates

Our Funkey mine locomotive fully re-built by Zach Van Staden and Associates near Bloemfontein is seen here doing sterling work spraying the line. A low density weed killer is sprayed directly onto the ballast to inhibit weed growth. It is inevitable that weeds will occur in the first two years of the construction of any railway line, but once the situation is controlled minimum weed treatment is needed. The Funkey diesel was built for a typical underground locomotive, similar to the ones featured in the photo attached. The 3LW Gardiner engine in this little locomotive makes for a reliable and cost-effective traction solution for a narrow gauge railway.