3117 steams again

[John Ashworth]

As of this morning (Saturday 4th October 2008) 15F 3117 is in steam again for the first time in 17 years.

After lighting her up last night, the crew report that the pressure is over 1100 kpa, the injectors, lubricator and mechanical stoker are all working, there are no significant leaks, and her whistle has once again been heard at Capital Park!

[Chris Janisch]

When I arrived early in the morning, steam was at 200 and the fire low, but smoke was in the air! Very soon after, firelighters Les Weideman and Dewald Heydenrych got to work shaking the grate and stoking her up a bit. Pressure started climbing, and then it was tome for some springcleaning. I stood on top of the loco with the hose while Dewald scrubbed the boiler with a broom. Layers of dust peeled off! Then it was into the cab, to clean out all the old nuts and bolts and rubbish, and the hose was let loose here too; very soon the gauges were shining in the early morning sun and steam whispered slowly from the joints on the gauge glass cocks. The tender then received a washdown. Les then moved the 19D forward with the Funkey on the adjacent track, followed by the F so that the tenders were alongside each other. Spikkels then began transferring coal from the dolly into the F's empty tender.
Steve Smith arrived, and it was time to see if the mechanical stoker worked. Les did the honours, and after about 2 minutes we had action. To see coals flying in through the stoker table was an emotional moment. This was superseded by the blowing of the whistle, which rang out shrill and clear over the Park. No 3117 was alive again, after 17 years!
Further action got the ejectors and injectors working. Robert D then arrived and got to work on the leaks that were showing, and the reverser.
A wonderful morning, all that waiting was worthwhile.
Pics will follow soon.

[Dylan Knott]

To all at FOTR, all I can say is well done in getting 3117 back into working order. 17 years is a long wait, but proof that some things are worth waiting for! What a sight it will be to see 3117 hauling a train again!

[John Ashworth]

A further update. John and Robert Dadford, Steve Smith, Tony Attwell and Tom Macrery continued working on the loco and were later joined by Shedmen John Ashworth and Mike Haslam, and Driver Frik Boshoff. The footplate crew soon got to work servicing the loco, while Uncle John pottered around tightening things and hitting them with a hammer.

Early in the afternoon, the great moment arrived. With a huge blast on the whistle, 3117 moved under her own steam for the first time since she was withdrawn from service. With Shedman Haslam at the regulator and Fireman Ashworth at the stoker controls, 3117 went to take coal. Roles reversed, Shedman Ashworth then brought her back to base with Fireman Haslam stoking. She ran up and down a few times to loosen up, before this crew booked off. We left Shedman Nathan Berelowitz and Trainee Fireman Steve Smith raring to go to loosen her up a bit more.

There appear to be no major problems at all. Lots of small leaks in pipe joints and fittings, a couple of glands that need repacking, some adjustments to the steam reverser, battling a little with the fireman's side injector, safety valve blowing off a little high, cylinder cocks not blowing through freely. The driver's side still needs floorboards and his seat needs to be bolted down. The firehole door needs a bolt. Nothing which can't be fixed in time for a trial run on the Tshwane Xplrorer at the end of October, and a real credit to the craftsmanship of all those who worked on this loco, especially John and Robert Dadford, but not forgetting Robin Vice and Les Weidemann who both also put in many hours, and also the small band of FOTR volunteers who were there every Saturday, rain or shine, to lend a hand.

[John Ashworth]

Photos are beginning to appear in the FOTR photo gallery under FOTR Very Special Occasions at http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... .php?f=237

Keep checking back as there were many cameras around and loads more pictures will gradually be posted.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

It is really a wonderfull moment. To see a long worked on project come to life. A fitting gift to Mike Haslam who is leaving our shores, and John Ashworth, who will soon be going up North. John Dadford and Robert Dadford can be proud of their work. Where we wanted to rush the project and get the damn thing over and done with, they took their time and worked meticulosly on every aspect of the restoration. The loco lit perfectly first tiome, unlike a n adjacent green loco that took a week to get steam up and then had inumerable problems. Well done to all. Especial thanks to the forerunners of the project: Les Labuschagne, Robin Wise, Gabor Kovacs, who got the ball rolling, and then to the final crew of John and Robert Dadford, Lous van Lingen, Les Weideman and his helpers, and the rest of the hard core FOTR weekend workers. Thank you, for your part in the project and the pages of preservation railway history.

[ch.janssen-schmidt]

Congratulations to Friends of the Rail on this milestone!
Well done to all those who worked hard and long on this lovely engine.
Regards to you all
Charles

[John Ashworth]

Date: Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 7:42 AM
Subject: Re: Emailing: 3117first light up 4sept2008 001.jpg
To: trainman <trainman@friendsoftherail.co.za>
Cc: Chris Janisch <janisch24@gmail.com>

Hi Nathan,

I recieved an sms from Chris on Saturday telling me that you guys had completed the 15F and had her in steam.

Well done to you all at FotR who worked so hard and done such a proffesional job on the loco, it is another mildstone in steam preservation and once again it all happened in Gauteng. I will come through sometime when time permits one Saturday and come see the loco.

Again from myself and everyone at RS a BIG WELL DONE!!!

Warmest regards,

Shaun

[John Ashworth]

Re:3117 steams again

Dear FOTR,

From everyone at SIA, congratulations on returning 3117 to working order.
Given the difficulties you are facing this is a remarkable achievement to be
applauded by us all,


Kind Regards

Dave Richardson
Executive Director
Steam in Action