Steam Whistle for Lawley BR7 Returned!
On 21st April 2012, the original Steam Whistle of Falcon (Lawley) Locomotive BR7 was presented to Wilf Mole of Sandstone Heritage Trust by Angus Walker of Somerset West!
The thread of the story which led to this wonderful event was long and tenuous. For years, Angus Walker was at the helm of the Rand Society of Model Engineers where the locomotive was plinthed. He removed the whistle for safe-keeping before anybody else did, and has been looking after it ever since.
Keith Wetmore, a friend of his (pictured on the left), recently attended the Kalahari Sunrise event on Sandstone Estates and witnessed both Lawleys in action.
(Photo Aidan McCarthy)
On his next visit to Angus’ workshop (he has two flats in the same block; one he lives in, the other is a fully equipped workshop!), Keith noticed this photo on the wall and instantly recognised it as a Lawley.
This is a picture of a scale working model of the same locomotive which was plinthed at RSME, which Angus built many years ago. Unfortunately it was sold and is now in the United Kingdom. Keith was able to tell Angus that he had seen the original in steam the previous week, along with its brother from James Hall Museum in Johannesburg. ‘Oh!’ says Angus, ‘I have its steam Whistle!’ He was easily persuaded to return it so that it can be reunited with its locomotive, wishing simply to be able to visit Sandstone Heritage Trust’s collection in exchange!
In talking about the Lawley locomotives’ notorious traction problems, he was able to say that the model has the very same tendency; there isn’t enough weight on the rear Drivers. He has suggested to the current owner what to do, and hopefully something can be done in this line to the original when it comes in to Lukas Nel for a scheduled refit in the not-too-distant future!
The locomotive was taken from RSME on 23rd November 2001 and restored by Pat Ackerman for the Sandstone Heritage Trust. There is some doubt as to which of the 44 originals purchased by the Beira Railway this locomotive is. Thirteen of these were taken over by the Union Defence Force in 1915 to be used in place of those commandeered for use on the Narrow Gauge lines in South West Africa, during the First World War. Later they were put into service by SAR in 1921, as Class NG6. The consensus, allowing for cannibalisation, is that this one is No 106 of 1895. It was manufactured by the Falcon Engine & Car Works in Loughborough.
Many thanks must go to Angus Walker for his foresight in saving the whistle in the first place, and for the generous gesture of giving it back!
Andy Selfe
22nd April 2012
