Voorbaai Depot Report

[Dylan Knott]

Hi all

Voorbaai report as of 23 Dec 2008.

19B 1412 - Stored. Most fittings removed. Restorable and parts in storage.
19D 2640 - Workshops.
19D 2683 - Stored. Most fittings removed.
19D 2698 - Stored. Seems complete. Bearings missing from tender.
19D 3321 - Stored. Oil burner. Partially stripped. Missing number plate. Short tender.
19D 3322 - Stored. Oil burner. Partially stripped. Short tender.
19D 3334 - Awaiting entrance to workshops. ex-oil burner.

24 3606 - Completely stripped. No chimney. Stays require welding. Wheels and motion in good condition.
24 3632 - Copper piping and clack box removed. Safety valves & turret intact. Cab stripped. Considered to be one of the better 24's due to tubes and wheels.
24 3635 - Smokebox front end missing. No copper piping nor cab fittings. Still has turret, safety valves and clack box.
24 3675 - Workshops.
24 3689 - No cab fittings, safety valves or clack box. Has turret. Ex-Douglas loco. Was overhauled not long before plinthing there. Slight superficial damage to frame but easily repairable.
24 3693 - No chimney. Has clackbox, safety valves and turret. All other fittings and piping removed. Had new firebox plates welded in 1996. Good set of wheels.

GMAM 4122 - Stored. Looks ok.
GMAM 4128 - Stored. Poor condition. No smokebox front end. Requires full retube.

32-047 - New brake shoes / wheels required.

Cut up 2007:
24's 3660, 3683, GMAM frame 4072, 15CA 2054.

General:
Any of the locos listed above can be restored to service. All the parts are in storage, but due to no demand there aren't any plans to restore anymore locos to active service. Five locomotives are currently operational for the choo-tjoe (19D 2649/2749/3323/3324 & 24 3668) and when their boiler certs expire they will probably be replaced by 2640, 3675 or 3334. At the moment the class 32 diesels are doing most of the work thanks to the fire danger index rating. Only 5 coaches are used on the choo-tjoe, but there are another 6 spare at George. All UL coaches are tatty and require substantial repair if they are ever required again.
2649, 2749, 3323 are all supershine whilst 3324 is very clean. Tourists rave about this so something to consider!

OTM report to follow.

On 24 Dec steam returned when 19D 2749 "Margie" in supershine condition hauled a 5 coach train to and from Mossel Bay. Close to 90% of the train was full! The TFHP crews are making a very good effort and we should support them as much as possible.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Interesting - thank you.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Nice to hear. Thank you

[Barend Botha]

32-047 also has no traction motors fitted.(16-12-08)

[Dylan Knott]

Yes - this loco has been out of use for several years now. For some reason they were running both 32's on the choo-tjoe, but lately only one. I did notice 33-007 outside the museum, but not sure if its staged there or is the station pilot.

[Gabor Kovacs]

Dylan!

Thanks kindly for the report. A small beacon of hope still in existance along the Cape Coast line.