Selected editions of the Reefsteamers newsletters

	REEFSTEAMERS DEPOT DAY – 3rd AND 10th January 2009 A virtual toast to No.3052 ‘Avril’ who performed so well on the recent Cherry Festival 2009 trip with her owner Dave Shepherd on board – with 18 boiler tubes that were later discovered to need replacement. Instead of failing on the high profile tour, she failed on the last day trip of the year – and gave the good gent much pleasure during his time with us. These two weeks have been focussed on getting the Staff and Baggage van into habitable condition, the stripped out flooring being re-laid and the new panels forming a skin over the bare bones of the trusses. So apart from running repairs to the Sandstone GMAM Garratt, most the locomotive work has been diverted to the Class 12AR No.1535 ‘’Susan’’ to complete the valve and motion gear rebuild as we don’t have time to do the re-tubing of ‘Avril’ before the running season starts. The Sandstone GMAM No.4079 ‘Lyndie Lou’ will be the front runner for revenue earning work this quarter. Click here to download the Depot Report in Adobe PDF Format (2.8Mb PDF)
Horse Era technology – shaping a reversing lever at an anvil.	REEFSTEAMERS DEPOT DAY – 18th October 2008 In the midst of the stress of having several locomotives out of action before the oncoming Cherry Festival, we had some exciting moments bench-testing of the Hunslet Taylor diesel engine. It ran great, apart from a very loose valve rocker, and them the water pump was found to have seized long ago and sheared its shaft. The failed flue on the Class 15CA No.2056 has been withdrawn and the news isn’t good – all the flues should be replace – a R200 000 repair job. Quite a few repairs were done to Dave Shepherd’s No.3052 ‘Avril’, including glanding, grate shaker condensate valve repairs, a new ash hopper and d a total rebuild for the reverser’s lever. Meanwhile work continued on the Stoker Gearbox rebuild. Click here to download the Depot Report in Adobe PDF Format (3Mb PDF)
1951 150HP Hunslet Taylor Shunter Engine Reassembly	REEFSTEAMERS DEPOT DAY – 30th Aug – 6th Sep 2008 I share some thoughts to ponder about real steam preservationists enjoying vintage steam train movies and shortly to go out and work on the real thing. Some of the real jobs included a preliminary boiler hydraulic test for the Class 12AR No.1535 ‘Susan’, which involved repairs and re-facing to the steam dome’s gasket. The test was successful and the boiler was prepped for wash-out before the official inspection. The Hunslet Taylor’s engine is being re-assembled and I have included many detail photos of the high quality refit work being done on the Sandstone Type H-2 Day sitter Coach No.25163. It looks like new inside! Around the Depot, the massive project of replacing or repairing over 600 windows has begun. Click here to download the Depot Report in Adobe PDF Format (2Mb PDF)
Looking through the fire-hole of the Class 12AR as the new boiler tubes undergo beading	REEFSTEAMERS DEPOT DAY – 17th August 2008 This Depot Day was one of mixed emotions. The remaining Transnet Class 15F’s were being cut up by Reklam right outside our 15m Workshop. The work of destruction was going on outside while preservation and regeneration continuing within. The main jobs were the complete reassembly of the Hunslet Taylor Shunter gearbox and the finishing off of the fire-box end beading of the 9 new tubes of the Class 12AR No.1535. ‘Susan.’ Outside the 15M Workshop, the Sandstone Bar Coach was undergoing the start of a 220v wiring conversion, and the work continued on fabricating new gates for the western tracks for the new SIA storage compound fencing. Click here to download the Depot report in Adobe PDF Format (2.6Mb PDF)
	22nd August 2008 Steam Passion Book Review by Lee Gates
	2nd August 2008 Introduction PROJECT – Hunslet Taylor Gear Box Assembly : (2 August) PROJECT : Hunslet Taylor Hood removal PROJECT : Diesel Shunter crown wheel gear stripping PROJECT – 12AR Boiler tubes PROJECT : Perimeter fencing project – new gates PROJECT : Catering PROJECT – Sandstone Coach Re-Wiring (220V) PROJECT : Some Depot improvements Pictures from around our Steam Depot
	12th July 2008 Introduction PROJECT – Booth Crane No.96 – Cleaning a Steam Crane’s Boiler PROJECT : Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Stoker Motor Overhaul : (19 July) PROJECT – Class 12AR No.1535 ‘Susan’ Boiler Tubes PROJECT – 12AR Boiler Tube Ferrules PROJECT : Hunslet Taylor Shunter engine removal PROJECT : Sandstone Coach Repairs PROJECT : SIA Storage Facility Project MISCHIEF – Liewe Heksie and the Cake Fight! (19 July) Pictures from around the shed : Some Depot improvements
	6th July 2008 Introduction PROJECT – Booth Crane No.96 – Removing a Steam Crane’s boiler : (6 July) PROJECT : Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Stoker Motor Overhaul : (6 July) PROJECT – Class 15F No.3052 ’Avril’ Tender Rebuild : (Up to 6 July) PROJECT – Electric Fence Extension : (6 July) PROJECT : Last Day-Trip of the season – 15CA No.2056 Fire Lighting and Prep. : PROJECT : The Chris Saayman ‘Cleanest Locomotive Cab’ Challenge: (25 June) PROJECT : Depot Improvements : (6 July) PROJECT : Rolling Stock Maintenance : (25 June) PROJECT – Class 15CA No.2056 ‘Dorothy’ Window Repair : (25 June) Pictures from around the shed : ESKOM’s Bane : (6 July) Pictures from around the shed End Piece
	A GARRATT CALLED LYNDIE LOU A Garratt called Lyndie Lou South African Railways – 1956-1985 REGM – The Gold Mining Days – 1985-1996 : Randfontein Estates Gold Mine The Rovos Rail Days – 2005 – 2007 : (Rovos Rail Capital Park Depot) Steam in Action – 2007 – Present : (Reefsteamers Germiston Depot) Lyndie Lou – Back marker
	WEEKEND 10th – 11th May 2008 Introduction PROJECT : Disengaging the Hunslet Taylor gearbox SIA TASK : GMAM Garratt No.4079 ‘Lyndie Lou’ – Bissel Axle bearings SIA Project – Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Tender Inspection SIA PROJECT : GMAM No.4079 ‘Lyndie Lou’ Stoker Motor Replacement PROJECT : The Chairman climbs in PROJECT : Club House PROJECT : Yard and Workshop improvements Pictures from around the shed End Piece
	FIREMANS REPORT 3052 Fireman’s Report An ACTIVE Team Effort
	COSMOS 2008 9th April – Wed – Last prep and short haul to Boksburg East Station 10th April – Thurs – Electric Haul to Bethlehem 11th April – Friday – Commuter run to Vailima 12th April – Saturday – Festival Day 13th April – Sunday – Homeward Bound
	28 APRIL 2008 Introduction Task – Setting up a Steam Crane TASK : Putting the DZ bits away Project – Yard Clearance OPERATION : Burning horse shoes in the Class 15CA PROJECT : The Chris Saayman Clean Loco Challenge PROJECT : Class 15CA No.2056 ‘Dorothy’ preparation Pictures from around the shed
	23 MARCH 2008 Introduction SIA PROJECT : A 125 ton Beauty Salon session IA TASK : Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Fire Lighting and Preparation SIA Project – Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Brake Ejector Overhaul SIA REPAIR : Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Vacuum Brake Line PROJECT : Hydraulic Coal Grab painting PROJECT : Hunslet Taylor Glass SIA PROJECT : Simmer and Jack Locomotive Move Pictures from around the shed End Piece
	8 MARCH 2008 Introduction SIA PROJECT : Ejector Strip Down for Overhaul – Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ SIA PROJECT : Grate Shaker repairs on Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ PROJECT : Class 15F No.3016 ‘Gerda’ firebox Prep PROJECT : Class 12AR No.1535 ‘Susan’ Front Tube Plate Prep PROJECT : Housekeeping at the depot Pictures from around the shed
	23 FEBRUARY 2008 Introduction PROJECT : Reassembling and Refitting the front bogie of Class 15CA No.2056 PROJECT : Conducting a boiler test on Class 15F No.3016 ‘Gerda’ SIA PROJECT : Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ Reverser Repair SIA PROJECT : GMAM Garratt No.4079 ‘Lyndie Lou’ Stoker rebuild : Tested!! PROJECT : Coach Repairs Pictures from around the shed
	2 FEBRUARY 2008 SIA PROJECT : Class 15F No.3052 Tender Brace Welding PROJECT : Class 15CA Bogie Bearing Casting SIA PROJECT : Painting of Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ PROJECT : Coach Maintenance PROJECT : Coach Axle Greasing SIA PROJECT : Class 15F No.3052 Tender Filler Hose PROJECT : Groundwork for new Turning Shop Pictures from around the shed
	19 JANUARY 2008 Project : Salvaging 15CA Bogie Leaf Springs SIA PROJECT : Moving a clunker (and some other locos) Project : GMAM Garratt Stoker Motor Rebuild PROJECT : Coach Steps Pictures from around the shed
	12 JANUARY 2008 SIA PROJECT : Class 15F No.3052 ‘Avril’ – Removing the Tender Side Braces Project : Coach maintenance PROJECT : Class 15CA No.2056 Front Bogie Project : GMAM Garratt Stoker Motor Rebuild PROJECT : Brass n’ Copper, Spit n’ Polish Pictures from around the shed
	5 JANUARY 2008 PROJECT – Dismantling the Class 15CA Bogie PROJECT – Coach Maintenance PROJECT : Coach Draft Gear Pin Check Pictures from around the shed
	8 DECEMBER 2007 PROJECT – Assembling the Trailing Bissel Truck PROJECT – Stripping Axle Bearings Project – Axle Pad Grease Press Project – GMAM Garratt Stoker Motor overhaul PROJECT – Class 15CA Locomotive Maintenance PROJECTS – Other work around the Depot Pictures from around the shed
	2 DECEMBER 2007 PROJECT – Finishing up the GMAM Garratt Bissel Truck PROJECT – Dropping an axle on a GMAM Bissel Truck PROJECT – New Axle Pad Grease Press PROJECT – Class 12AR Valve Gear Overhaul Pictures from our Sunday Run to Swallows Inn Pictures from around the shed
	18 NOVEMBER 2007 PROJECT – Reassembly of the GMAM GARRATT Bissel Truck Project – Reinstalling the GMAM Bissell Truck Firing up the Class 15F No.2914 ‘Spikkels’ Pictures from around the shed
	9-10 NOVEMBER 2007 Ficksburg Locomotive transfer run
	3 NOVEMBER 2007 The Great Coal Caper Lighting up an engine Project – GMAM Garratt Parts Other Work Pictures from around the shed End Piece Steam in Action
	27 OCTOBER 2007 Project – Garratt Bissel Truck Bolster Slides Project – GMAM Garratt Stoker Motor Overhaul Project – Class 25NC Seller’s Valve Grinding Project – Class 15F Reverser Valve Chamber Service Project – Other Locomotive Work Project – Club House Marketing Pictures from around the Shed
	13 OCTOBER 2007 The Garratt gives Birth! Project – Bar Car Doors Projects – 12AR Valve Gear Rebuild Projects – Other Locomotives Other Pics from the Depot
	6 OCTOBER 2007 ‘Steam in Action’ Kickoff Meeting Celebratory Braai Project – Shifting the GMAM Bissel truck Project – Preparing the Class 25NC Mixed Nuts…
	15 SEPTEMBER 2007 Projects – Class 12AR 1535 Valve Gear Bushings Projects – Work on some other locomotives Projects – Coach Work Photos from around the shed