All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
By Friday, all but one of the locomotives previously stored at the Reefsteamers depot in Germiston had arrived at Sandstone Heritage Trust outside Ficksburg in the Free State. Dave Richardson confirmed to the Express that several of the trucks were delayed in Villiers, while transporters awaited further permits. By Tuesday last week, the English Electric Diesel Shunter, the Water Tanker, 15F 3052 and its tender, as well as the tender for 25NC No 3488, had arrived at the farm. “DE2 ex Rhodesia Railways No1207, 15NC No 3488 and GMAM 4079 were delayed in Villiers. “They are also the heaviest, so great care had to be taken. The permits were issued in Bloemfontein and had to be couriered to Villiers because the transport company had to have the originals in their hand while moving the loads,” Richardson said. He added that Steam Crane No 578 remained delayed in Germiston. “The trailer used was not suitable and must be changed.” Richardson said one of the trailers used to transport the locomotives would need to return from Sandstone to load the crane and return to the farm again. The arrival of the engines at Sandstone came as the farm prepared to host its two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Festival-goers will have a chance to see all the relocated locomotives as well as take a trip on Sandstone’s private two-feet Narrow Gauge Vintage Steam Railway. The Express previously reported that the engines were relocated to Sandstone following concerns over the security of the assets. To make the journey possible, Sandstone hired nine lowbed abnormal load vehicles, including a 152-wheel multi-axle trailer. This was the first time such a move had been undertaken in Gauteng and only the second time in South Africa.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
A truck backs into position with 15F 3052. Photograph by Gert Jubileus.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
Minimal clearance of the trains as they pass under the bridge in Germiston. Photograph by Shaun Ackerman of Fairlie Projects (Pty) Ltd.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
15F 3052 stands next to GMAM 4114, which arrived from Bloemfontein in September. Photograph by Gert Jubileus.
This photograph by Ron Nell shows the limited clearance through the tunnel to exit the Germiston Depot. Dave Richardson explained that all locos have a maximum height and the tunnel exit was carefully planned. “The floor was scraped to allow a 100mm clearance and as you can see, we made it.”
The minimal clearance of the trains as they pass under the bridge in Germiston. Photograph by Shaun Ackerman of Fairlie Projects (Pty) Ltd.
See here is the minimal clearance of the trains as they pass under the bridge in Germiston. Photograph by Shaun Ackerman of Fairlie Projects (Pty) Ltd.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
See here is the minimal clearance of the trains as they pass under the bridge in Germiston. Photograph by Shaun Ackerman of Fairlie Projects (Pty) Ltd.
25NC 3488 delayed in Villiers. Photograph by Jean Dulez.
15F 3052 and tender are placed in position. Photograph by Gert Jubileus.
GMAM 4079 is transported. One truck pulling while another pushes to move the heavy load on the road. Photograph by Jean Dulez.
All the Sandstone Heritage Trust locomotives have arrived at the farm except the crane, which will change trailers at Germiston and be delivered next week in time for the farm’s two-day Cherry Steam Train Festival on November 19 and 20. Photograph by Sandstone Heritage Trust.
This photograph by Ron Nell shows the limited clearance through the tunnel to exit the Germiston Depot. Dave Richardson explained that all locos have a maximum height and the tunnel exit was carefully planned. “The floor was scraped to allow a 100mm clearance and as you can see, we made it.”
Minimal clearance of the trains as they pass under the bridge in Germiston. Photograph by Shaun Ackerman of Fairlie Projects (Pty) Ltd.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
