Funkey news!

[John Ashworth]

Today was a big day for FOTR because we took possession of a Funkey diesel shunter. It is leased to us by Damrail at a peppercorn rent of R1 per annum. I ceremonially paid the one rand as I signed a receipt for the locomotive once it was on the trailer at Pecanwood.

James Smith (conflict of interests there as he's both a FOTR and Damrail member!) and I were at Pecanwood to meet the truck from Transcor at 0700. The truck arrived, with driver Emmanuel and his assistant. There were two possible ends from which to load the Funkey onto the trailer - unfortunately the first choice was the one with a dip in the ground next to the rail. The truck got stuck. We tried to pull it forwards using the Funkey (which started first time using the battery from my bakkie) but the front axle was grounded on the rail so no luck. The driver used his winch to pull the truck backwards and after about two hours we started again.

Round to the other end of the Funkey, put the goose-neck trailer in place, position the rails on the trailer, hitch up the chains and cables, and off we went. Everything was going fine, the Funkey was well up the ramp, when suddenly the chain snapped. Our hearts almost stopped as we watched the Funkey slide back down the ramp - but fortunately it stayed on the rails. A second attempt, and this time no problems. With the Funkey safely chained onto the back of the truck, I said farewell to James at around 2 pm and led the truck to Capital Park.

Into our depot, and there was quite a team to help. Robert, Steve S, Chris J, Dewald, Adrian and myself managed to unload it a lot quicker than we loaded it. Once again we started it with a bakkie battery and I parked it by our yellow gates, in front of the Dolly.

There's a fair bit of work to be done on it - electrical system, hole in exhaust, vacuum pipes, handbrake, full service - but this loco is basically in good condition and is running OK. It should make life easier for us at Capital Park - and hopefully at Hercules in the not too distant future!

Lots of photos were taken by me, James and Chris J. We'll begin posting them under the FOTR Trips and Events section of the forum here

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Thank you, John A, James and all the guys who lent a hand in getting the Diesel done! When Friends set a project it gets sorted , well done.
Now 15F 3117........