Gary Barnes has supplied the following pictures of what the loco was like shortly before it went to SANRASM. Like most things they touched it was all downhill from there.
This locomotive is now being resurrected in our Bloemfontein Workshop.
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David Payling has sent us this excellent picture of Avonside 1624.
Thank you to David, Leith Paxton, and to Graham Lee of Statfold Barn Railway for their assistance.
In Lukas Nel’s words, “This is exactly what I am looking for.”
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From: Lukas Nel [mailto:lucasn@telkomsa.net]
Sent: 22 August 2011 18:26
Subject: RE: FW: FW :SANRASM Avonside
Thank you to all who sent info on the SANRASM Avonside.
I received more information on this locomotive than any other locomotive I rebuild. Thank you for that.
Some bad news however both the plate frames are broken just behind the cylinders and maybe the reason why they decide to sell her off. Photos on the damage to the frames can be sending later this week as we start to strip the cylinder and valve castings from the frames today.
The locomotives from SANRASM are a real challenge to our personal determination and skills as all three locomotives in a sad state.
For example the O&K locomotive boiler was filled with a mixture of cement and gravel when she was stabled. It is an enormous job and operation to clear the concrete from inside the boiler especially the space between the inner and outer firebox. It is extremely frustrating and costly regarding labour.
Lukas.A.Nel.
