FROM BETWEEN BUSHES INTO THE BLUE-BLUE SKIES!
Like the claws of an Eagle, lifting its prey high into the clear blue skies was what was needed to rescue Narrow Gauge wagons, trapped in nature. They were all on death roll but were rescued just in time. These wagons will soon be restored to their formal glory to serve a new Railway, a new era!
Difficult terrain and excessive environment issues had to be overcome to rescue these trapped wagons. Some of them had no rails under them anymore, stolen for some scrap metal place. Note the massive tree growing through this B wagon in the photo in the right. Some of the wagons can’t be assessed because of adverse terrain condition.
Below: Henk moved this B wagon with tree and all to ease up the loading process when the Freightliners arrive. In some cases it was needed to go in under these wagons to access braking gears that is in the way when loading is done.
A St wagon moved to a safe place to load.
Below : Three B wagons on a massive pit at Harding.
Below : This is what you take with when you pick up a wagon out of a vegetable garden.
After years of neglect, wagons were transformed to become part of nature. Another year or two and no one would be able to find them.
Below are photos of wagons at Izingolweni. Note the beautiful garden inside the B wagon in the right hand photo.
Our Transport section managed to move 21 wagons in two weeks time. Long hours on the route and courage to save these wagons were what it took to load and move these wagons.
Below: Two B wagons on their way to the Estates. Leon Flint made a brief stop just outside Port Shepstone to inspect chains and belts.
Finally we arrived on the Farm and shared the happy moments with these wagons when they arrived at their new home.
Below: Offloading Natal wagons at the Farm!
All offloaded wagons will be shunted into the storage line where they will await their turn for restoration.
Below: A beautiful ST wagon just touched the rails on a new Railway, a lease for a new life!
ST NUMBER 619
The restoration of the first ST is well under way and will be finished by the end of next week. This week we took care of all the steel work that was needed on this wagon. In next week we shall do a complete under frame restoration including; vacuum cylinder overhaul, braking gears and fit new brake blocks. The axle boxes will be cleaned and bearings will be inspected. The axle boxes will be packed with new axle box wool soaked in oil. The wagon will receive a final coat of paint and will be stenciled and ready to use.
Below: ST 619 under restoration.
RATANGA WAGON:
This week we finished sanding the wagon. Derrick made new steel frames for the seats that will be fitted in next week. The new seats will be fitted together with the ready made doors for this wagon. It is our outlook to finish this wagon by the end of next week.
The wooden outside will be varnished and the inside will be painted as well.
Below: Albert sanding the inside of the wagon.
The inside of the roof will be painted white and the outside silver, the same as the previous ones.
Below: Albert sanding the wooden floor of the Ratanga wagon.
3’6” GOODS WAGONS:
The three goods wagons at the Waenhuis were due for new paint and a new coat of varnish. Pettrus started with the painting of the main frame work of these wagons. Once he is done with this, he will varnish the wooden sides of the wagons.
THE HUNSLET LOCOMOTIVE
The cosmetic upgrading of the Hunslet is well on the way but delayed due to the fact that Henry assisted us with the moving of wagons from Natal. This week he sprayed the buffer beams and prepared the inside cab for spray-painting.
With all the windows out and the gauges covered, he can easily spray the interior of the cab. It is important to spray the inside before doing the outside of the cab. Henry will be away in Natal in next week and will continue the cosmetic upgrading once he is back.
THE BSA RAILCAR
The restoration of the BSA Railcar is shouldering on and Derrick completed the steelwork on the left side this week. He started with the left side and might be finish with it by the end of next week. His craftsmanship is amazing and slowly he is drawing the picture of a 1914 BSA car.
Once he is done with the left side, he will attend to detail and finishing touches to the steelwork. Soon the body will be ready for spray painting with a expensive 2K automobile paint. Henry will start with the mechanical work on the BSA soon as he is finish with the cosmetic upgrading of the Hunslet Diesel Locomotive.
Upholstery will be done by a professional that will complete the last part of the restoration.
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT WEEK!
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BSA Railcar restoration
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ST 619 restoration
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Ratanga wagon restoration
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Centurion City Locomotive restoration
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Moving wagons from Natal
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Train tour Friday
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Line Inspection
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Prepare locomotive 153
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Columns to fill
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Shunt all Natal wagons to storage line
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Upgrading of 3’6” goods wagons
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Yard cleanup
STEAM GREETINGS!
THE
STEAM TEAM!
