Gold Reef City Theme Park is a recreation of turn of the century Johannesburg on the site of the former Crown Mines 14 shaft. The shaft is still operational for underground visits to 5 level (220 metres).
The lovely images above courtesy of Roger Griffiths dating from July 1981 show the locomotive JACK when it was still taking people around on live steam rides at the museum and it is a pity that peacocks later found the little engine suitable for them to rest in the shade.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
Rustenburg Platinum Mines (RPM) used 4 similar WG Bagnall engines, built between 1948 and 1953. Only the first 1 of the group of 4 is still in South Africa, and is plinthed at Gold Reef City Theme Park, Johannesburg. The other 3 engines have found their way back to their country of origin.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
This Bagnall engine works number 2870 was built in 1948 by for use on 2 feet narrow gauge at the Rustenburg Platinum Mines. It has a 0-4-2T wheel arrangement, and a 9" cylinder diameter x 14" stroke design.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
This engine named "JACK" displays the GOLD REEF CITY logo with the words "Steam Locomotive and Gold Carriage Exhibit"
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
The number "N0 1" stems from her service life at Rustenburg Platinum Mines. Works # 2870 was leader of the pack - one of 4 similar locos build for the Rustenburg Platinum Mines of South Africa by WG Bagnall of Stafford.
Andrew Johnson took this photo in December 2006. (1st posted on sa-transport)
Andrew Johnson took this photo some time after his previous visit in Dec 2006. (Photo 1st posted on sa-transport). It is obvious that the little engine has been vandalized, even though it is located in a supposedly "safe" environment.
The locos were used to haul 4 x 12 ton reef hoppers full of Platinum ore for the mine shafts to the reduction plant, distances of 6-10km. However as the mine expanded, the 2' gauge lines were replaced by 3'6" (South African standard gauge) lines until the last 2' line closed in March 1981.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
Whilst at Rustenburg, the locos had several modifications, including:
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
Rustenburg Platinum Mines (RPM) used 4 similar WG Bagnall engines, built between 1948 and 1953. Only the first 1 of the group of 4 is still in South Africa, and is plinthed at Gold Reef City Theme Park, Johannesburg. The other 3 engines have found their way back to their country of origin.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
This Bagnall engine works number 2870 was built in 1948 by for use on 2 feet narrow gauge at the Rustenburg Platinum Mines. It has a 0-4-2T wheel arrangement, and a 9" cylinder diameter x 14" stroke design.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
This engine named "JACK" displays the GOLD REEF CITY logo with the words "Steam Locomotive and Gold Carriage Exhibit"
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
The number "N0 1" stems from her service life at Rustenburg Platinum Mines. Works # 2870 was leader of the pack - one of 4 similar locos build for the Rustenburg Platinum Mines of South Africa by WG Bagnall of Stafford.
Andrew Johnson took this photo in December 2006. (1st posted on sa-transport)
Andrew Johnson took this photo some time after his previous visit in Dec 2006. (Photo 1st posted on sa-transport). It is obvious that the little engine has been vandalized, even though it is located in a supposedly "safe" environment.
The locos were used to haul 4 x 12 ton reef hoppers full of Platinum ore for the mine shafts to the reduction plant, distances of 6-10km. However as the mine expanded, the 2' gauge lines were replaced by 3'6" (South African standard gauge) lines until the last 2' line closed in March 1981.
photo: Kevin Wilson-Smith 16 July 2008
Whilst at Rustenburg, the locos had several modifications, including:
- Suspension changed from leaf spring to coil springs.
- Steam generator's were fitted for lights. The locos originally had paraffin lamps.
- The original drop feed lubricator fitted on top of the sliding valves were replaced with steam pressure lubricators.
- The 2 steam inlet and exhaust pipes under the smoke box were changed from copper to steel pipes with gland boxes.
The specifications [Source here] for these engines are:
Andrew Johnson took this photo some time after his previous visit in Dec 2006.
Note the RPM modification - the steam generator (visible behind the steam dome) fitted for lights.
From 1948 - 1981, the locos run on the RPM railway were as follows:
| Cylinders | 9x14" | Heating surface, tubes | 262 sq ft | |
| D.W. dia | 2'3½" | Heating surface, firebox | 36.3 sq ft | |
| T.W dia | 1/7" | Total: | 298.3 sq ft | |
| F.W. Base | 5'0" | Grate Area | 7.6 sq ft | |
| T.W. Base 11'0" | W.P. | 160 P.S.I | ||
| Water Capy | 480 Galls | T.E @85% | 5,608lbs | |
| Fuel Capy | 30 cub. Ft. | Boilerfeed | 2xNo.5 m/m injectors | |
| Weight in W.Order | 16 tons | |||
| Steel firebox & steel tubes | #2895, 2896-7 | |||
| Copper firebox & brass tubes | #2870 | |||
| #3023, 3050 (steel tubes) | ||||
| Bagnal Price Valve Gear | ||||
Andrew Johnson took this photo some time after his previous visit in Dec 2006.
Note the RPM modification - the steam generator (visible behind the steam dome) fitted for lights.
From 1948 - 1981, the locos run on the RPM railway were as follows:
No Type Current Location
- RPM 1 - Bagnall 0-4-2T 2870/1948 Gold Reef City, Johannesburg
- RPM 2 - Bagnall 0-4-2T 2895/1948 Loxhill, Surry, England
- RPM 3 - Bagnall 0-4-2T 3023/1953 Since end of 2013 resident at Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, North Devon. Now named ISAAC. More information here. (Thanks to Colin Rainsbury for the update)
- RPM 4 - Bagnall 0-4-2 3050/1953 Welsh Highland Railway (cost when new - £4,596); Bagnall 3050 was officially named 'Gelert' in 1992
- RPM 5 - NGG12 2-6-0+0-6-2 ex SAR No 56 -sold Rustenburg Platinum Mines ?1955 scrapped 1959
- RPM 6 - NGG12 2-6-0+0-6-2 ex SAR No 57 -sold Rustenburg Platinum Mines ?1955 scrapped 1959
- RPM 7 - NGG11 2-6-0+0-6-2 ex SAR No 52 -sold Rustenburg Platinum Mines 1958 with drawn 1970; Preserved in Johannesburg - Klein Jukskei motor museum (for SANRASM - status 1994 - restored as Rustenburg Platinum Mines No 7)
- RPM 8 - NG4 4-6-2T ex SAR No 16 Preserved in Port Elizabeth - status 1994 - Hume Road Shed
- RPM 9 - Bagnall 0-6-0DM 3124-25/1957 Alfred County Railway
- RPM 10 - Bagnall 0-6-0DM Alfred County Railway
- RPM 11 - Bagnall 0-6-0DM 3204-25/1961 Alfred County Railway
Many thanks to C.S.Scott (General Manager 1990), and J.N.Middleton (Railway Preservation Group) for help with the above. [Source here]
This drawing by Andrew Johnson was 1st posted on sa-transport
This drawing by Andrew Johnson was 1st posted on sa-transport
Scale model of a RPM engine Bagnall 0-4-2T
Wikipedia photo: EDM Models' Bagnall 0-4-2T kit developed by Bruce Green of Inscale Models - This is the "Pilanesburg" - a 7mm scale model based on one of the first 4 Bagnalls used by RPM. (O16.5 in the United Kingdom is a model railway scale/gauge combination of 7mm to the foot. )
Again note the RPM modification - the steam generator (visible behind the steam dome) fitted for lights.
A Sister locomotive (Bagnall #3023 RPM #3 built 1953)
%2BJudy%2BWillams.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*)
2013 image taken by Judy Williams
ex-RPM 3 - Bagnall 0-4-2T 3023/1953 Since end of 2013 resident at Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, North Devon. Now named ISAAC. More information here. (Thanks to Colin Rainsbury for the update)
A Sister locomotive (Bagnall #3050 RPM #4 built 1953)
WG Bagnall No 3050 was built in 1953 for the Rustenberg Platinum Mines. Here it is seen at Birkenhead Docks prior to being shipped to South Africa. Photo Source.
Bagnall 3050 was officially named 'Gelert' in 1992. Here, 'Gelert' leaves the shed at Gelerts Farm, and prepares to take a loaded train out of Porthmadog Station. Photo Source.
This drawing by Andrew Johnson was 1st posted on sa-transport
This drawing by Andrew Johnson was 1st posted on sa-transport
Scale model of a RPM engine Bagnall 0-4-2T
Wikipedia photo: EDM Models' Bagnall 0-4-2T kit developed by Bruce Green of Inscale Models - This is the "Pilanesburg" - a 7mm scale model based on one of the first 4 Bagnalls used by RPM. (O16.5 in the United Kingdom is a model railway scale/gauge combination of 7mm to the foot. )
Again note the RPM modification - the steam generator (visible behind the steam dome) fitted for lights.
A Sister locomotive (Bagnall #3023 RPM #3 built 1953)
+Judy+Willams.jpg)
2013 image taken by Judy Williams
ex-RPM 3 - Bagnall 0-4-2T 3023/1953 Since end of 2013 resident at Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, North Devon. Now named ISAAC. More information here. (Thanks to Colin Rainsbury for the update)
A Sister locomotive (Bagnall #3050 RPM #4 built 1953)
WG Bagnall No 3050 was built in 1953 for the Rustenberg Platinum Mines. Here it is seen at Birkenhead Docks prior to being shipped to South Africa. Photo Source.
Bagnall 3050 was officially named 'Gelert' in 1992. Here, 'Gelert' leaves the shed at Gelerts Farm, and prepares to take a loaded train out of Porthmadog Station. Photo Source.
Sources:
- Bagnall 3050, Rustenberg Platinum Mines No. 4, Welsh Highland Railway 'Gelert'
- Industrial Locomotives of SA 1991 - John Middleton & Huw Williams
- Photos posted to Picasa and other web albums
No comments:
Post a Comment