Umgeni Dubs 'A' appeal

[Steve Appleton]

Umgeni Steam Railway has launched an appeal for funds to overhaul their Dubs A locomotive.

DŬBS A APPEAL

USR’s Dŭbs A loco will be 118 years old next year. In 1985 this loco hauled a trainload of dignitaries from Durban to the Point to celebrate 125 years of railways, so what better loco to celebrate 150 years of railways in South Africa next year?

Unfortunately the years have taken their toll on “UMBILO” (NGR no. 88 [SAR no. 134]), and the old girl is in need of some serious attention. For example, all of her 187 boiler tubes need to be replaced, as well as much of the platework, which has become badly corroded. Umgeni Steam Railway is, like most other preservation groups, taking severe financial strain at the moment and whilst there is an enthusiastic team eager to get this loco up and running again, funding of the necessary replacement components presents a major problem.
All members are therefore asked to get involved in this project by sponsoring the cost of a replacement tube at R400 or, if this is too much, then even a part sponsorship would be appreciated. A donations board is to be set up at Inchanga station, where the names of all donors will be recorded as well as an indication as to how the fund is progressing.
Donations may be deposited directly into the USR’s Nedbank bank account no. 1301259314 (Musgrave Branch code 130126). Please ensure that donations can be clearly identified by putting DUBS FUND and your name in the reference section.
Your assistance in this matter, and/or with any other aspect of the DÅ­bs restoration project would be greatly appreciated.

Ashley Peter
CHAIRMAN

[Dylan Knott]

Excellent! I shall broadcast this to all and sundry! Excellent little loco and deserves to be back in use again!

[Derek Walker]

How abouit a few pics of her so we can see what state she is in.

[Brendon Anderson]

The latest USR snippets dedicated to the Dubs project. They show Umbilo in her early days at USR to where she now founds herself at Inchanga.