3117 - cab roof hatch

[John Ashworth]

The two roof hatches on 3117's cab roof had to be removed, cleaned up and painted. In addition it was discovered that the front hatch was too short, possibly explaining how so much water got in and rotted the wooden cladding inside. A new strip has been welded onto the front of the hatch to extend it.

Photos by John Ashworth February 2008

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Good work. Will also keep those fine sparks out the tea!

[John Ashworth]

This is a good example of work that can be done by anyone in Gauteng who is interested in preserving South Africa's steam locomotives but maybe doesn't have engineering skills, or can't afford to spend a lot of time at Capital Park at weekends. Take home a piece of metal, clean it up and paint it!

[Nathan Berelowitz]

You know John, that is very true what you say. Members can take parts home, under strict control of course, and clean them up and return when finished. We have your example and Gabor, who has kindly taken the brass 15F smokebox nuts off 3094 and is busy cleabning them up, so they can be fitted to 3117.Steve S with his woodworking skills at getting the roof panels completed. I have been tackling the porthole windows and will be looking at the wooden windows soon. But if we each did a bit of homework, we could be well away.

[John Ashworth]

Sliding hatch covers back in place