World’s penultimate Garratt back in service at Sandstone
THE penultimate Garratt to be built in the world has returned to full working order at Sandstone Estates in Ficksburg, South Africa, following the completion of a restoration project that has taken just over a year.
Built by Hunslet Taylor in Johannesburg for South African Railways in 1968, modified NGG16A 2-6-2+2-6-2 No. 155 spent its life on the 2ft gauge Port Shepstone to Harding railway in KwaZulu, Natal, which became the Alfred County Railway in 1988 when it was privatised.
At the ACR, NGG16s Nos. 155 and 141 were rebuilt by the late engineer Phil Girdlestone and his assistant Shaun McMahon on principles developed by LD Porta, designer of the gas-producing combustion system (GPCS). Technology similar to that on the 3ft 6in gauge 26 class ‘The Red Devil' was used with the aim of improving steam locomotive efficiency and reducing coal consumption.
Engine unit swap
The rebuilding incorporated GPCS, Lempor exhausts, an improved spark arrester, lightweight multi-ring articulated piston valves, improved valve events, and mechanical lubrication. No. 141 was converted in 1989 and No. 155 the following year, both locomotives being reclassified NGG16A.
The most obvious visible difference between the original and the rebuilt locomotives is the megaphoneshaped Lempor chimney containing a cylindrical mixing chamber and a wide-angled diffuser.
Both locomotives achieved fuel savings against the NGG16s, with the costs paying off within a year. There was talk about a super Garratt NGG17, but that never materialised.
In 2004 the ACR went bankrupt and the locomotives were left to deteriorate in the sea air at Paddock.
No. 155 was privately purchased in 2002 and moved to Sandstone Heritage Trust, and was eventually purchased by it. No. 141 was bought by a consortium and transferred there in 2007. Unbeknown to Sandstone, sister No. 142 was fitted with the modified engine units from No. 155. Attempts were made to buy No. 142 or the modified engine units, but sadly it was scrapped in 2017.
No. 141 had been stored at Hoekfontein, Sandstone, free of charge for almost 14 years and was looked at but found to be in a poorer condition than No. 155, but with the correct modified engine units in place. These units were transferred to 155.
With the successful rebuild of Class NG10 No. 61 and its return to steam for the Stars of Sandstone in April 2019, No. 155 became the next in line for the Sandstone treatment.
The locomotive was inspected and the boiler found to be in restorable condition; a full set of tubes was in stock and the boiler work was done at Wonder Steam in Hermanstad, Pretoria. The frame and mechanics were restored in Sandstone's own workshops.
Unique restoration?
No. 155 was devoid of its fittings, which had been removed when it stood at Port Shepstone out of use. But Sandstone had a good selection of spares, including the GMAM 3ft 6in gauge Garratt lubricator required.
Shaun McMahon assisted the project by providing the technical details and all the relevant drawings of the extensive modifications to Nos. 141 and 155.
This restoration may be unique in that the locomotive has been restored in its rebuilt state after its conversion to the GPCS.
No. 155 has returned in its striking red livery and made its debut at the Cherry Steam Event, marking yet another milestone in Sandstone's achievements in preserving South Africa's 2ft narrow gauge railway heritage.
The NGG16A is the same class as the ones used on the Welsh Highland Railway but in a very different form.