SHEPHERD’S ‘15F’ STEAMS AGAIN AFTER DERAILMENT
David Shepherd’s South African Railways ‘15F’ 4-8-2 No. 3052 ‘Avril’ has returned to steam, following repairs to damage sustained in a derailment due to stolen sleepers. Now the last steam locomotive owned by the famous wildlife artist, North British-built No. 3052 steamed on August 5 for an open day at Reefsteamers’ Germiston depot, where the repairs have been carried out. It was on loan to another main line steam operator, Friends of the Rail, when the derailment occurred on the Cullinan branch on March 21. It was towed back to Germiston by Reefsteamers’ classmate No. 3046 on May 19.