3117 steams a second time - 15th November 2008

[John Ashworth]

On Saturday 15 November, 3117 made its second steaming since restoration. Once again all went well, with the safeties being set in the morning and the boiler inspector giving his verbal stamp of approval. The Dadfords workrd on a number of faults, notably a sticky reverser, the lubricator and the cylinder cocks; all problems being due to loco's long period out of service. With shedmaen Nathan Berelowitz and Les Weideman doing the duties, the loco was run up and down during the afternoon to get her warm. Then Les applied the engine's first hard grease service in 17 years! Nathan and John serviced the cylinder cocks and then it was time for 3117 to shunt some of our passenger stock, in beautiful late afternoon sunshine. What a sight to behold, a 15F on a passenger train really looks the part. As activities wound down, our 19D 2650 nreturned to the shed after yet another successful foray to Culinan, and went down to coal and clean fire. With Rovos's big NC 3533 in steam at the top, the shed took on a busy look again. Les, Nathan and Spikkels then had the daunting task of disposing 3117's fire. Being a hand-shaker this was no mean feat, but eventually an exhausted, filthy but happy bunch completed the job as the sun set.
We hope to steam again very soon for the official government inspection, whereafter running-in on the main line will commence. Small problems there still are, but John has them under his meticulous hand. All is on track for the 16th December Tshwane run!

Photos by Chris Janisch 15th November 2008

[ch.janssen-schmidt]

Nice to see a real engine in steam! Great pictures esp. the last one.

Regards
Charles

[Nathan Berelowitz]

The last one is a classic steam shot. Well done!