USR - Temporarily suspends operations

[Gabor Kovacs]

In the last few days, USR subsequently announced on Facebook that it is forced to temporarily suspend operations due to "technical problems with “Maureen"", their only operational Class 3BR - No 1485, steam locomotive!

In addition an press statement has been released by USR and has be publish in their local community internet magazine - "THE CREST Online"

THE CREST Online

Steam train on hold
by Editor on FEBRUARY 21, 2012 in NEWS


Umgeni Steam Railway has announced that Maureen, the 100-year-old steam engine, needs urgent repairs and cannot be used as she is. As such, all scheduled journeys have been cancelled.

Dear ALL,

It is with great regret we have to announce that the trains scheduled for the 26th February 2012 have had to be cancelled due to technical problems with “Maureen”, our 100-year-old steam engine.

The repairs are major and will take a couple of months to do at a very great expense, “ALL DONATIONS WELCOME”.

Please advise by return email to bookings@umgenisteamrailway.co.za your intentions. We will carry your reservations over till the first train or when convenient to you. If you need a refund, please supply your full banking details. Credit card payments will be refunded to your credit card.

Those passengers who booked the “Breakfast and Lunch” options, the tea garden and craft market will still be available. If, however, you are not going to “Breakfast or Lunch”, please cancel your reservation with Bev on 083 226 1024.

We at Umgeni Steam Railway hope to see you all when our next train runs from Kloof to Inchanga (return). Please watch for announcement on our website www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za.

Kind Regards,
Robbie
Reservations, Umgeni Steam Railway

Tel: 082 353 6003 or 087 8087715

Email: bookings@umgenisteamrailway.co.za

On behalf of everyone at FotR, we wish our fellow colleagues at Umgeni Steam Railway a speedy recovery, to full operations!

[John Ashworth]

Thanks, Gabor. Do we know exactly what the technical problems are?

[Gabor Kovacs]

Hi John!

In early January '12, when Tony A, his son James, and I went down to USR for a unofficial visit, the USR crew had mentioned that the Class 3BR - No.1485, was also due for her 3 year B.I, at the time. They also made mention to us, at the time, of bad "crown knocks" on almost all driving wheel axle-boxes. Another issue at the time of our visit, was the left front - main cylinder casting (aea) and cover, together with the copper ring joint. The loco was damaged while employed on one of the mines in the Natal area, and after it was donated to USR, USR technical team managed to get it repaired to a point! Unfortunately, the repair job seems not to have lasted the test of time.

Under correction, I assume it is main cylinder casting (aea) and cover, together with the copper ring joint, that may have finally failed, or boiler tubes have started to leak.

Good going for a locomotive that is 100 years!

A sad fact, is that there no working locomotives in S.A., up till recently - besides 1485, that can lay to claim "operational at centenary"!!!

[Brendon Anderson]

Hello All

The press release in the Crest is bit of a touchy topic as it was released by a freelance journalist and the info wasn't vetted by the USR committee and unfortunately is not completely correct. The repairs are unfortunately going to take a lot longer more than a couple months. We are looking at around 3 years minimum and that is also assuming funds are available.

1486's current boiler certificate expires mid May 2012 and she was going to be withdrawn from service at the end of April 2012. It is just unfortunate that the replacement loco is not ready for service. A full retube is required, and while there hasn't been any incident with the boiler, based on the monthly inspections and consulting with our boiler inspector, it was decided not to continue using the boiler. The loco has also developed a small leak in the foundation ring. This means that part of the repair is going to include taking the boiler off the frames.

19D 2685 is the replacement loco and is presently undergoing replacement of all flexible stays and caps and has 9 small boiler tubes to replace. The problem with axel box crown knocks is actually on the 19D, so this loco will also see the driving wheels being dropped for the axel boxes to be remachined.

We are looking at only seeing 2685 ready for action by July 2012.

[Gabor Kovacs]

Hi Brandon!

Thank you for supplying us with the correct info. Much appreciated!

Regards