GOOD NEWS!!! By August 2011 it was reported that this locomotive had been cosmetically restored. This photo was posted to facebook by Dylan Knott.
18 March 2012 image uploaded to fb by Francois Lubbe.
18 March 2012 image uploaded to fb by Francois Lubbe.
18 March 2012 image uploaded to fb by Francois Lubbe. NOTE: The road number plate on this locomotive reads "537", this is incorrect, the locomotive actually is SAR engine no 498. Under the SAR the Class 6B numbering ran from 490-540. This engine is number 498. [source John Middleton's Locomotive Guide]
Fort Klapperkop Dec 2013 - image provided by James Boale of Heritage Management, Tshwane City.
photo: Rudi Venter 2004 permission kindly granted
This SAR Class 6B locomotive [4-6-0] no 498 is plinthed at the Klapperkop Fort Military Museum in Pretoria.
This locomotive was built in 1897 by Neilson and Co. as works no 5131.
During the Anglo-Boer War it was used by the Imperial Military Railways from 1899 to 1902 for carrying British troops and supplies to Pretoria.
photo: Rudi Venter 2004 permission kindly granted
The SAR Class 6 locomotives were originally designed by locomotive superintendent Michael Stephens for fast passenger service on the Cape Government Railways (CGR). Successive orders for the 6th class were placed with both British and American builders between 1893 and 1904 for use on the CGR and OVGS.
At first 40 locomotives were ordered (class 6), followed by another batch (class 6A) of 50 engines. This was followed by a 3rd order of 54 locomotives placed with Neilson, Reid and Co - these engines were delivered between 1897 and 1898 and were shared throughout the Cape Colony. On the SAR these 54 loco's were classed 6B - they were almost identical to the class 6A, except they were provided with an eight-wheeled bogie tender.
photo: Rudi Venter 2004 permission kindly granted
Already in 1997 a museum report noted: "Sadly though, this locomotive has been vandalised with the theft of all its copper components."
photo: Rudi Venter 2004 permission kindly granted
All the engines of the 6th class were regarded as having a splendid record of reliability, and low cost of repairs. In 1894 the General Manager, Mr. Elliot reported: "These engines will render practicable an increase in speed that will admit of a train being run from Cape Town to Johannesburg in 48 hours." By 1944 several of these engines were still working in the Middle East.
photo: Rudi Venter 2004 permission kindly granted
NOTE: The road number plate on this locomotive reads "537", this is incorrect, the locomotive actually is SAR engine no 498.
Under the SAR the Class 6B numbering ran from 490-540. This engine is number 498.
Photo taken on 13 October 2006 by Phil Rickerby and posted to flickr
The locomotive's chimney is very badly cracked.
The locomotive has cylinders of 17 in. diameter and 24 in. stroke. The driving wheels are 4 ft. 6 in. in diameter, the boiler pressure was 160 lb/sq.in. and the tractive effort 16700 lb. at 75% boiler pressure. The engine in working order weighed 46t 5c and the tender 34t 2c. The total length of engine and tender over couplers is 53 ft 10 in.
Oil on canvas painting: Awie Visagie permission kindly granted
What a lovely painting of this locomotive with Fort Klapperkop in the background!
2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker
2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker
2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker
2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker
Class 6Z no 717 shunting the Union Express from Monument station across Adderley street to East Pier 4 miles away to meet the Mail Ship. Photo Frank Garrison 1932 from P de Wet collection
Sources:
- Railways of SOUTHERN AFRICA Locomotive Guide 2002 - John Middleton
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