Makeover for Springs relic
Volunteers of all ages sanded, primed and then painted the relic, which is bound to make many residents nostalgic and please history lovers.
The SHOAGT Geduld Gold Mine steam tractor received a fresh paint of coat on Saturday afternoon.
Volunteers of all ages sanded, primed and then painted the relic, which is bound to make many residents nostalgic and please history lovers.
The plan has been long in the making, but Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns caused various delays. The plans finally came to fruition and the tractor looks good as new.
Springs Boys’ High School Rotaract members were at the forefront of the project, as well as many local companies, including Prosafe Security, Mr Price Paints, Timbercity, Horse and Hound Restaurant and Ekurhuleni FM radio station.
The 10 horsepower locomotive was made by Aveling and Porter in Worcestershire, England, and was brought to South Africa in 1899 during the Anglo Boer War and was used in the Springs mines.
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It was then used by various companies and municipalities after the war.
“It all went very well and the tractor looks good as new,” said event organiser Tony da Cruz.
“Many people showed up and were eager to give the tractor a makeover. I’m glad the rain held out and we were able to get the job done without any interruptions.
“We have so many historical landmarks in Springs that have been left to waste away, and I think it’s our job as citizens to restore them. This town has such a rich history that many people are not aware of.
“This tractor is one of the last of it’s kind in the country, and we can’t allow it to just waste away.”
Da Cruz added this was just the beginning of a bigger project to restore many of the historical landmarks in Springs and bring them back to their former glory.
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