SANDSTONE LOCOMOTIVE NEWS!
NGG 16 GARRATT RESTORATION
Sparks were flying in the Sandstone Steam shed as we pushed hard to finish the cosmetic upgrading of this Class NGG 16. A good Boilermaker is needed to fit new lagging around the boiler. Derrick first had to weld in 5mm x 50mm flat bar supports around the boiler.
He then had to measure out the lagging plates to cut just big enough holes into the 2mm plates. The holes are there to enable us to fit back the handrails and boiler joints once he is finish with the lagging around the boiler.
Below: No easy task to fit 2mm x 2.4m plates around the boiler. A local place rolled the plates for us to make it easier to fit.
Below: Derrick cut a perfect size hole into the lagging.
Below right: Henk finished the steel work that was needed on the roof of this locomotive.
The steel then was painted with an undercoat to protect the plates. Henk also finished the wooden side of the roof and fitted it onto the steel roof.
The top cab plates were then fitted and the roof is now ready to be fitted onto the cab sides.
The cab sides were fitted back onto the cab end frame. Now we will be able to fit new wooden floor inside the cab.
Below: The cab being assembled on the locomotive!
Wood was sourced and sanded to perfection. Henk started with the construction of the new floor. He will concentrate on the restoration of the cab interior while Derrick finishes the outside.
Below : The fitted chimney plate to prevent rain water inside the smoke box.
Below : The construction of a new floor began!
Menasse and his team will spend next week sanding the outside of the locomotive and prepare her for a final touch of paint. The locomotive will be in standard SAR livery.
THE HUNSLET
Henry prepared the inside of the cab of the Hunslet and spray painted it.
He upgraded the number plates and name plate to great looking finish.
The outside of the cab was spray painted this week and the hunslet is now ready to be assembled again. The windows will be fitted back in next week and all the spray painted panels as well.
Below: The brand new looking Hunslet cosmetic upgrading draws to a close.
SANDSTONE WAGON NEWS!
ST WAGON
We shunted the first Sandstone ST wagon to the inspection pit this week. All the braking gears and pins were stripped off. The quarters on the bogeys were removed and the wagon was shunted to the crossing in front of the Shed.
The ST was lifted from its bogeys and placed asside. The bogeys were descaled and spray painted. The centres were oiled and the ST was lifted onto the bogeys again.
Below: Pony and Albert spraying the bogeys. Albert moved the bogey to enable Pony to reach the entire wheel. After the ST was fitted back on the bogeys, we opened the boxes and inspected the bearings. All the bearings were in exceptional good condition and only new soaked axle box wool was packed inside the boxes.
Below: Pony cleaning the handbrake underneath the wagon. Old sticky grease was removed to enable the handbrake to work easy.
Below right: Menasse welded new channel iron onto the ST.
A new handbrake wheel was fitted. Removing the old one took about a hour because of excessive rust of many years.
Below right: The braking gears were descaled and painted.
THE RATANGA WAGON
This week the Ratanga wagon received a second coat of varnish. The new seats were fitted and final paint touchup was done. We will fit the new doors in next week and this wagon will be complete and ready to add to our Passenger train consist.
NATAL WAGONS
This week we moved the last assessable wagons from Natal. They were offloaded and will be stored on the storage line till their turn for restoration.
Petrus finished the painting of three goods wagons near the Waenhuis. He will now treat the wood with exterior varnish.
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK!
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NGG 16 cosmetic upgrading
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To finish the Hunslet cosmetic upgrading
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To finish the ST restoration
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To finish the Ratanga wagon
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To wash out number 17
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To shunt all Natal wagons to the storage line
STEAM GREETINGS!
THE STEAM TEAM!
