21 November 2007

VINK siding, near Robertson (the GOSPEL EXPRESS), SAR Class 15CA no 2828


This 2016 image courtesy of the photographer Laurie Mulrine; it was 1st posted here: SAR SAR Class 15CA: no. 2828, Vink Rivier, Western Cape. 10.12.2016.


This 2016 image courtesy of the photographer Laurie Mulrine; it was 1st posted here: SAR SAR Class 15CA: no. 2828, Vink Rivier, Western Cape. 10.12.2016.


This 2013 image courtesy of the photographer Laurie Mulrine; it was 1st posted here: SAR Class 15CA: No. 2828, Vink Rivier, Western Cape. 11.03.2013.


This 2013 image courtesy of the photographer Laurie Mulrine; it was 1st posted here: SAR Class 15CA: 2828 Vink Rivier, Western Cape. 11.03.2013.

Saturday 13 October 2007

We took the turn-off to VINK siding on the left of the road between Worcester, and just before Robertson, to have a look at the locomotive which recently made its appearance at the station. This locomotive is part of the Transnet Heritage Collection, and was held for years at the Dal Josaphat depot, where it was rusting away under a tree.


Rev Lionel Kuiper (79) - he appears here with 2828, owner of the property, has a long connection with this particular engine and had for a long time tried to have this machine moved to the VINK siding.

Eventually he did get permission to keep it in storage for the Heritage Collection on his property.


The old engine #2828 was brought on tow by a diesel locomotive from Worcester, and from the previous siding Lionel was delighted to ride in #2828's cab again.


Apparently the large connecting rods, at the front of the locomotive, were disconnected to facilitate the transfer by rail, from Dal Josafat via Worcester to Vink, but connecting them up again would certainly be a formidable task for anyone in the circumstances.

When Lionel was only 10 years old, he was allowed, as a birthday present, to take the loco #2828 out of the loco shed all by himself - supervised by the driver from the ground. Lionel could do this because he had watched the diver closely when riding on the foot-plate. This happened way back up north in Pretoria.

As part of it's duties, locomotive #2828 was one of those who hauled the Royal Train during the Royal visit in 1947.


Currently Lionel is planning to repaint the locomotive - a massive task. He has already started with the undercoating - red as can be seen in the pictures. Lionel plans to paint the loco in a dark blue colour - not the original livery, but that is with permission from Transnet Heritage.


After so many years both Lionel and #2828 retired at Vink syding for a well earned rest!


The "Gospel Express" appears to be ready to depart ....

but, laments Lionel sadly: "She will never run again!


SAR Class 15CA locomotive 2828 was built by North British Locomotive Co as works no 23791 in 1929.

NOTE: Locomotive #2828 is a South African Railways class 15CA engine. The 15C's were 10 inches higher than anything in service before, and were nicknamed "Big Bills" by the running staff. The first 15CA's were introduced in 1926 - the "A" indicates the original builders being Alco (American Locomotive Co) - a further batch were ordered from Alco and Baldwin in the USA, Breda of Italy and the North British Locomotive Co. A total of 83 engines were delivered between 1926 and 1930. They started service between Cape Town and Johannesburg, were later relegated to the Free State, and finally worked out of Pretoria to Pietersburg and Witbank. [Source: Locomotives of the South African Railways (Struik 1985) Leith Paxton & David Bourne]








30 October 2008

I had these fascinating comments from Richard Niven - last fireman to work 2828. I have illustrated Richard's comments with his own photo's as published on sa-transport.

Stoker3488 said...

"Great to see 2828 has been rescued and is being worked on. This old class 15CA means a lot to me as I fired on her many times out of Kimberley in the early 90s."


"I was also the last fireman to ever work on her on 12-05-1992. On that date 2828 with myself as fireman coupled up with class 25NC 3481 and worked a 2800ton freight train from Kimberley to De Aar."


"Both locos performed fantastically well that day and De Aar was reached in under 4hrs. Once in the loco shed area both fires were dropped and that was to be the last time that either of these locos steamed."


16-12-1997 Dal Josaphat Shed 2828 all forgotten. Unknown photographer.


2004 Photo: Dylan Knott

"Both were taken by electrics to Dal Josafat for preservation but were instead dumped. 3481 was later stripped and cut up for scrap while 2828 was left to rot under the trees for many years until rescued by Mr Caper."


"I have many photos and videos of this wonderful machine at work inc the last working as described above."


"In Aug 08 while touring SA I made sure I visited Robertson simply to visit my old friend 2828. "


"Thank you Rev Kuiper for saving this wonderful beast. Keep up the good work. "

Regards,
Richard Niven.

WATCH THE 2828's last FIREMAN (only 26 at the time) IN ACTION !!! YOUTUBE VIDEO CLIP (90 sec duration): South African Railways 15CA 2828 on her last working day - 12-05-1992 [Richard Niven: Here is a short clip taken while we were working a 2400ton freight train from Kimberley to De Aar. Unfortunately this was to be the last and final working for both this class 15CA no 2828 and the 2nd loco class 25NC 3481. On arrival into De Aar both fires were dropped and both locos were sent forward to the railway museum near Cape Town where they were simply left to rot. 2828 was finally rescued by a private buyer in about 2007, and has since been plinthed, but the once famous 3481 was cut up, about 2007.]
26 December 2008 With our next visit about 15 months later we could approve of the progress Lionel had made with the big paint job. We were also surprised to note that the Big Bill had acquired a mate in the form of an old stationary steam engine!!!
23 December 2009   Another year has passed for no 2828, and mr. Caper has made some more cosmetic changes to no 2828! This time she proudly displayed her road number And even has windows fitted to the cab. Hats off to Rev. Kuiper !!!! Hip Hip Hooray !!!! In both this HDR photo and the one below the "VINK" siding name board is visible in the distance. On the left is the line between Worcester and Mossel Bay. 6 April 2015 (late afternoon) Images kind courtesy of Shane Swartz Shane commented about theses images: "My buddy Dylan Knot and his friends painted that on Saturday 4 April. I know they have plans to go back and do some more. I'm glad someone is at least doing something regarding these beautiful machines.
This image (dated 7 April 2015 - 17h18 ) kind courtesy of the photographer Wayne Nauschutz. Wayne noted: "I know you only cater for steam but I've recently obtained the above photograph of the daily freight returning to Worcester passing the 15CA that is plinthed at Vink river. I thought it might make a useful addition to your blog." YES indeed it does, Wayne, I just love it - Thank you. The staff member on the left in the locomotive only have eyes for the latest paint job (well still a work in progress) on the 15CA and not yet seeing the photographer up ahead next to the line.

11 comments:

  1. Ek het hierdie bladsy BAIE geniet.Lekker persoonlike verhaal vol warmte, maar met 'n traan daarby. Hoop jy kan dit met ander ook so maak. Hoop jy kan by die museum foto's bylas watter lokomotiewe dit is.Pappa sou ERG trots op jou gewees het.Geniet die lekkerte van bloks, oftewel blogs! Zelma

    ReplyDelete
  2. Die trein (en stasie) is reg langs my ouers se plaas. (Vinkrivier plaas) Ek het met die Capers groot geword, maar nog nie hierdie aanwins vir myself gesien nie. Huidiglik sit ek in Londen en dis vreeslik lekker om iets te sien wat soveel geskiedenis het. En dan kan ek dit gaan sien! Elke dag!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ek het die kommentaar van my suster Zelma en ook die persoon in London baie waardeer. Dankie en groete. Piet

    ReplyDelete
  4. 'n Skitterende reeks - doen so voort!! Het dit baie geniet - Hennie Heymans

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great to see 2828 has been rescued and is being worked on. This old class 15CA means a lot to me as I fired on her many times out of Kimberley in the early 90s. I was also the last fireman to ever work on her on on 12-05-92. On that date 2828 with myself as fireman coupled up with class 25NC 3481 and worked a 2800ton freight train from Kimberley to De Aar. Both locos performed fantastically well that day and De Aar was reached in under 4hrs. Once in the loco shed area both fires were dropped and that was to be the last time that either of these locos steamed. Both were taken by electrics to Dal Josafat for preservation but were instead dumped. 3481 was later stripped and cut up for scrap while 2828 was left to rot under the trees for many years until rescued by Mr Caper.
    I have many photos and videos of this wonderful machine at work inc the last working as described above.
    In Aug 08 while touring SA I made sure I visited Robertson simply to visit my old friend 2828. Thank you Mr Caper for saving this wonderful beast. Keep up the good work.
    Regards
    Richard

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Richard, thanks for a most wonderful post re 2828's history - much appreciated!!!! 1992 seems so recent - when she was still steaming! I hope to re-visit the old lady soon - haven't seen her again since the paint job was done ... regards - Piet

    ReplyDelete
  7. 2828 looks better every time I see her. If anyone wants to see 2828 in action I have downloaded a few clips of her last run onto Youtube. You can click on my username "Lifeofrail" or look under South African Railways 15CA 2828.
    Regards
    Richard

    ReplyDelete
  8. A truly magnificent deed. On behalf of those who love SA railways, but live too prohibitive a distance away to actively help - I would like to say "Thank you/Biya Dankie"

    You, and your colleagues are fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful! I lived in Robertson for 12 years and visited the Gospel Express. I'm happy to see it has an engine now. Perhaps you could include some of the beautiful interior carriage work done as well. Regards, Andre' Hartslief

    ReplyDelete
  11. https://www.fotocommunity.de/photo/15ca-2828-peter-semmelroch/44121361

    21.06.2019

    ReplyDelete