Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 (Sandstone), ex-SANRASM (Krugersdorp), ex-DUNNs(Witbank), ex-New Machavie Gold Mine Ltd

At the Office - Dunn's Engineering Witbank: 16 October 1973 image kind courtesy of Roger Griffiths.

At SANRASM Krugersdorp: September 2010 photo courtesy Derek Walker

2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker

Derek Walker spotted this strange little engine plinthed somewhere in the yards of the SANRASM at Krugersdorp. Indeed a contraption! Looks like someone had fun welding together bits and pieces from all over !!! What a disfigurement! An immense challenge for any restorer.

Fortunately, with the clues Derek gave - namely that the boilerplate is from Orenstein & Koppel, and that he assumed the watertank was located below the boiler, this was enough to identify the loco with the help of John Middleton & Huw Williams publication "Industrial Locomotives of South Africa 1991" plus amendments up to Sept 1995.


2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker

The "boiler on wheels" looks so queer because:

1. the cabin has been heavily modified, and
2. the locomotive's boiler has lost it's cladding metal sheets with insulation - exposing the boiler itself.

This locomotive is built for 2 feet 0 in gauge by Orenstein & Koppel A.G., Berlin, Germany; it was built in 1936 as works no 12691. It has a 60HP design and is a 0-4-0WT type; "WT" indicates "Well Tank" as the water tank is located below the boiler, and between the wheels, in order to lower the center of gravity on the narrow gauge.

The locomotive O&K 12691/1936 started life as No 2 at New Machavie Gold Mine Ltd, at the Buffelsdoorn Mine near Klerksdorp, where she joined No 1, her sister O&K 12689/1935 at the same location. New Machavie also acquired a 3rd 60HP O&K no 12993/1937. The mine closed in 1945, after which  O&K no 12691 was sold to Dominion Reefs Ltd, also near Klerksdorp. The fates of the sister locomotives are unknown. By at least 1973 no 12691 was plinthed in front of the offices of Dunns Engineering in Witbank. After Dunns went bankrupt in  Aug 1994, the remains of the little engine was stored at SANRASM Krugersdorp until that  site's demise and clean-up around 2010. Sandstone Estates rescued the "scrap" and the undertook the mammoth task of practically completely rebuilding her into a beautiful working steam engine which was proudly presented at the 2015 Stars of Sandstone event.


2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker

At least since 1973, the locomotive was "preserved" outside the main offices of Dunn's Locomotive and Boiler Engineering Works (Pty) in Witbank.


Photo courtesy Hannes Paling showing the O&K plinthed in Witbank at Dunn's. The oversized headlamp was obviously later swopped with another non authentic one ... not a problem with locos coming and going all the time at Dunn's!


Dunn's was the last firm in SA offering a comprehensive steam locomotive repair service.
This photo was taken by Dennis Mitchell in Nov 1974. Zezela no 3 is plinthed in the middel of the picture, the O&K loco is barely visible to the left.
The Dunn's firm went in liquidation and finally closed down in August 1994. Subsequently the O&K locomotive was moved to SANRASM at Krugerdorp - where she still was in 2009. With the demise of the SANRASM site the remains of the little engine was rescued by Sandstone and lovingly restored in Bloemfontein at the Sandstone facility. Many images of the restoration process may be found on the Sandstone Heritage site by entering the number 12691 into the search box.

The next series of 2015 images have been sourced from Sandstone Heritage pages,

Resurrected in Bloemfontein at the Sandstone facility by Lucas Nel and his team, O&K 12691 shortly after it arrived at Sandstone. Image: Sandstone Heritage


Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936: Here Sandstone director Wilfred Mole takes part in the christening of MONTANA - named after one of Wilfred's granddaughters. Image: Gary Barnes via Sandstone Heritage


MONTANA with a mine hopper in tow - the hopper also carries the name NEW MACHAVIE GOLD MINE LTD CO where Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 was first put into service. Image: Sandstone Heritage



Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 "MONTANA" on the left with master locomotive restorer Lucas Nel in the middle. On the right is Avonside 1624/1913 "IXANTHE". Both engines were rescued in extremely poor state from the SANRASM site at Krugersdorp, and truly tested the determination and skills of Lucas and his team in Bloemfontein to revive these current beauties back to life!!! Image: Sandstone Heritage

Above and below: Just to remind us what Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 and Avonside 1624/1913 looked like when sent to Lucas Nel's team in Bloemfontein in early 2011.  Images: Sandstone Heritage




Here Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 ("Montana") now carries her original 1936 owner's name on the cab:

NEW MACHAVIE GOLD MINE

 LTD CO

 NO 2

Image: Gary Barnes via Sandstone Heritage

The 60 horse power steam locomotive has cylinders with 230mm diameter x 325mm stroke length. The wheels have a diameter of 650mm, and the distance between the 2 axles is 1,6 meter. Below the boiler between the wheels the water tank capacity is 750 l, while the engine could carry 600 l of coal. The empty weight of the loco is 8,4 tons, and the working weight 10,6 tons. The maximum speed of the engine is 25km/h.


Here Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 ("Montana") is heading a quadruple of O&K loco's going out to Grootdraai. Image: Gary Barnes via Sandstone Heritage

Stars Of Sandstone 2015 - Vintage Steam Trains on SABC's Expresso TV program.

In the less than 5 minute Youtube video above you will get several brief glimpses of O&K 12691/1936 "Montana" steaming at the Stars of Sandstone 2015 event.

From the O&K Catalogue

Peter Ziegenfuß, from Cologne in Germany, has kindly provided a copy of a relevant O&K catalog page, with specification details about the 60HP 0-4-0WT locomotive:


The 600mm gauge locomotive was available in various power versions: 50, 60, 90, 160 and 180HP. The catalog stated that in the lower powered versions a "good working" spark arrestor was installed in the conical chimney. (For the higher powered locos the arrestor was placed in the smokebox.)

The engine has cylinders with 230mm diameter x 325mm stroke length. The wheels have a diameter of 650mm, and the distance between the 2 axles is 1,6 meter. The water tank capacity is 750 l, while the engine could carry 600 l of coal. The empty weight of the loco is 8,4 tons, and the working weight 10,6 tons. The maximum speed of the engine is 25km/h.


This image, with text in German, contains some details about the specifications of these locomotives.

QUESTION - Are there any photos of the original engine?

We currently do not have a picture of this engine in the days when she was still in operation at the mines. Perhaps someone can dig up a picture! The following pictures have been sourced from Martin Murray's web page "Preserved Orenstein & Koppel Steam Locomotives" and these give some indication what the 60HP 2ft gauge O&K locomotive at SANRASM may have looked like in her earlier life. These little workhorses consisted of fairly standard designs, which did not change for much many years, and some of the engines were built in advance to be available "off the shelf" when the customer wanted one or more.

Bear in mind that the two 600mm gauge engines below were 30 and 50 HP designs, where as the loco at SANRASM is a 60HP design, so some small differences are to be expected.


1998 photo by Martin Murray - showing O&K 11206/1925 - 30HP 2ft gauge design. This engine was plinthed at Hotel Bremen, Villa General Belgrano, Cordoba province, Argentina. It did service at José Minetti, Malagueño cement works. Picture sourced here.


1998 photo by Martin Murray - showing O&K 12721/1936 - 50HP 2ft gauge design; this engine worked on the Carl Brandt railway at Bremen in Germany and was later sold to a private buyer in the USA where this picture was taken - picture sourced here.

Some O&K locomotives which have worked in South Africa:

1. From 1907 to 1949 the South Western Railway Co. Ltd. (SWR) operated a 2-foot gauge line between Knysna and Deepwalls. The company operated 3 O&K locomotives": (a) Orenstein & Koppel 1775/1906 50HP Wood burner 0-4-2T - SWR Loco No.1, (b) Orenstein & Koppel 2240/1907 100HP Wood burner 0-6-2T - SWR Loco No.2 (c) Orenstein & Koppel 4880/1907 150HP Wood burner 0-8-0T - SWR Loco No.3. These locomotives were all scrapped after 1949. More details here.
2. Orenstein & Koppel 2510/1907 40HP design type 0-4-0WT (well tank) is a 2-foot/600mm gauge engine which used to be plinthed at the The Train Restaurant at Halfway House on the old Pretoria Road. By 2006 the locomotive was at Sandstone (Hoekfontein) awaiting restoration. This small O&K is of the 40hp type; being delivered from new in Aug 1907 by O&K to J. L. Hulett & Sons Ltd in Natal to work on their extensive system. It was later sold to Luipaardsvlei Estates and Gold Mining Co. to become their number 4. It is believed that it then spent some time plinthed at Krugersdorp Safari Park before moved to the Orient Express (later the Train Restaurant) at Halfway House near Johannesburg. Initially it was in good condition outside the restaurant, but when the restaurant was closed for some time, it became vandalised. In 2003 it was purchased from the restaurant on its final closure, and is now at Hoekfontein, awaiting its turn in the restoration queue. Picture and details here.
3. Orenstein & Koppel 4102/1910 currently at Sandstone 0-4-0WT 50HP design. Built in Berlin, number 4102 is only one of three 600mm gauge examples owned by local companies which exist from this prolific German manufacturer. Delivered in 1910 it is of the 50hp type. Originally used at West Rand Consolidated Mines it was sold to Vogelspruit Gold Mining Areas Ltd in 1936 and retired when the mine regauged to 3’6”. In 1952 it appears to have been rebuilt for use on the children’s railway at the mine. On the mine closure in 1968, it was transferred to West Driefontein, before being donated to the Midmar 2ft project in 1990. Some restoration work was done here, but was unfinished, when the Midmar railway was closed in 1998. Together with a number of other items, the O&K was put up for auction, and sold to the 2ft Preservation Trust, and moved to Port Elizabeth. The new owners were keen for the loco to be restored, and it was transferred on loan to Sandstone in 2002. Pictures and more details here.
4. Orenstein & Koppel 11092/1925 named "WENDY"; (for 1ft 6in/457mm gauge) - 30 HP 0-4-0WT formerly at Musina (formerly Messina) Library Forecourt, Ex Messina Ltd, Messina Copper Mine. Apparently, at about 1990, the loco was moved to the Musina SAR station forecourt. Anyone able to verify that this loco is still at this location. Any photos? The Messina Copper Mine also had another 457mm gauge O&K 12172/1930 0-6-0T engine.
5. Orenstein & Koppel 12691/1936 - 60HP design, 600mm, a 0-4-0WT type - in 2009 at SANRASM, Krugersdorp as described in the present blog entry.

Orenstein & Koppel brief Notes:

Around 1890 Koppel was already a world institution with works in Bochum and Camen, Germany, and branches at Brussels, Bucharest, Cairo, Hamburg, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Moscow, New York, Paris and St. Petersburg.

First founded in 1892 in Schlachtensee, in the Zehlendorf district of Berlin, and known as the Märkische Lokomotivfabrik, the O&K factories expanded to supply the Imperial German Army under Kaiser Wilhelm II with field service locomotives or Feldbahn. All manner of railway equipment were supplied to the Army. Feldbahn locomotives were built by other manufacturers too. Because of strained capacity at the Schlachtensee shops, work transferred in 1899 to a site in Nowawes, later Babelsberg, near Potsdam. Around 1908 the firm of Gerlach und König in Nordhausen was taken over, and petrol and diesel locomotives were built here under the trade mark Montania.

About 14000 O&K locomotives were built between 1892 and 1945. Many of these were of the light Feldbahn type for 600mm gauge, and quite a few of these found their way to Southern Africa. Unfortunately most of the units have been scrapped long ago.

Resources:

• John Middleton & Huw Williams publication "Industrial Locomotives of South Africa 1991" plus amendments up to Sept 1995
• Martin Murray's webpage "Preserved Orenstein & Koppel Steam Locomotives"
• Relevant pages on the Sandstone website.
• Orenstein & Koppel information on Wikipedia
• Articles in the THE INDUSTRIAL RAILWAY RECORD (1) THE ORIGINS OF ORENSTEIN & KOPPEL
  

Krugersdorp - SANRASM, "Kitty" (National Monument)

23 October 2008 photo courtesy Franzois Oosthuizen

A mobile South African national monument, yes on wheels, is resting in the Museum railway yard at SANRASM, Krugersdorp. This Kitson locomotive was, in 1983, the oldest running steam engine in South Africa. She was doing so for more than 105 years! Kitson is on permanent loan from ESKOM to the South African National Railway And Steam Museum (SANRASM) in Krugersdorp. Unfortunately SANRASM seems to be unable to care for the monument in a way that the little workhorse deserves ...


2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker : To see what Kitty currently looks like, please visit Derek's "Kitty" page, where he photographically surveyed the once proud little engine.

In 2008, the RSSA made a R5000 cash donation, to SANRASM, towards the cosmetic restoration of the Kitson and Hunslet ex-ESKOM National Heritage Locomotives.


2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker - see Derek's "Kitty" page

She was built in 1879 by Kitson & Co, Leeds, England, as work's no 2269.


2009 photo courtesy Derek Walker - see Derek's "Kitty" page

Kitson 2269/1879
4-6-0T

A Brief History of "Kitty"
This information on KITSON mostly comes from research material compiled by Mr. Rick Searle, a retired ESKOM employee, but Paxton & Bourne also fill in some of the gaps ...

This Kitson locomotive was, in 1983, the oldest running steam engine in South Africa. Built in Leeds, England, in 1879. Only 7 of these Kitson engines were made, and they were numbered 8-14. This engine was Kitson No 13. They were built for the Natal Government Railways, this engine operated there as No 13 from 1879 to 1910 grouped in the Class "K&S" - their class being named after their makers Kitson & Co and Robert Stephenson & Co - the latter company supplying 30 engines of this design. [exNGR No's 8 - 14, 16 - 26 and 29 - 47.]

These locomotives were used on the main-line trains out of Durban, displacing the earlier Beyer, Peacock 2-6-0T. They were occasionally fitted with small four-wheeled tenders, which increased their fuel-carrying capacity when required to work long distances.

Under SAR Administration, in 1910, this engine was classed under SAR Class C with road number 62. Specifications for the SAR Class C may be found here. In the SAR the Class C had road numbers 62-76, which mean only 15 engines survived from the NGR Class "K&S into the SAR.


Kitson c. 1940 as "VFP No 1" before the rear bunker was fitted - Photo Dave Parsons Collection - see Sandstone Rail Heritage page

In 1913, the locomotive started her industrial service as "V.F.P. no 1" with the Victoria Falls Company. The Victoria Falls Power Company Limited( VFP) was established in 1906, and was later renamed the "Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company Limited". Eskom itself was established by an act of parliament in 1922, but used the excellent facilities, and infrastructure of the VFP, until it absorbed the VPF, in 1948, to become the national supplier.

The Victoria Falls Power Company (VFP) bought "Kitty" from South African Railways in 1913. VFP paid £600, and hauled "Kitty" from SAR Durban workshops to Modrea railway station. Until 1920, "Kitty" served the VFP by hauling coal trains from Modrea railway station to Brakpan power station, a distance of 4 km.

Kitson was re-located to serve at Rosherville power station in 1920. From 1920 until 1966, "Kitty" hauled coal trains between Jupiter railway station and Rosherville power station, a distance of 2,4km. After the closure of Rosherville power station in 1966, Kitty was used to haul light loads at Rosherville central workshop and stores. A dedicated locomotive maintenance team, located at Rosherville central workshops, kept "Kitty" in first-class condition.

Kitson poses in 1946, now fitted with a rear coal bunker - Photo Dave Parsons Collection - see Sandstone Rail Heritage page

In accordance with conditions first stipulated in the Power Act of 1910 and included in the Electricity Act of 1922, all assets of the VFP were expropriated and taken over by ESCOM in 1948. ESKOM was formerly known as the Electricity Supply Commission (ESCOM).

Dave Parsons and Kitson in 1952 - Photo Dave Parsons Collection - see Sandstone Rail Heritage page

The Natal Government Railways, the Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company Limited, and ESCOM made numerous modifications to Kitson.

• The rear portion of the frame was extended, the coal bunker moved to the rear of the cab, the custom built toolboxes removed and the discarded coal bunker converted into a toolbox.
• The rear portions of the side water tanks were lifted away from the frames and were extended towards the front of the engine. This necessitated some modification to the steam chests.
• The vacuum brake ejector was replaced by a Dreadnought ejector
• The bottle type lubricator was replaced by a Eureka lubricator.
• The oil headlamp, which had been replaced by an electric headlamp, was restored except for the replacement of the wick by an electric globe.
• The original bell-type buffers were replaced by standard SAR knuckle couplers. Kitty was re-boilered in 1927, and again in 1952.

Kitson in steam in 1975 celebrating 150 years of railways - Photo Dave Parsons Collection - see Sandstone Rail Heritage page

In 1979, "Kitty" became the first steam locomotive in South Africa (possibly the world) to have completed a century of continuous service. "Kitty’s" feats are legendary in South African steam locomotive circles. Dave Parson, the foreman of the locomotive maintenance team at Rosherville central workshops, states: "I have been on the footplate when Kitty pulled 20 loaded coal hoppers, more that 50 times her own weight, from Jupiter station to Rosherville power station. Many ten shilling bets were won by ESCOM men when South African Railways drivers bet that Kitty could not pull such loads."

Acting on an ESCOM proposal, the South African National Monuments Commission declared Kitty a national monument on the 29 April 1983. It is the first movable, working machine to receive this distinction. This locomotive, at that time, was one of the oldest operating steam locomotives in the world. At the inauguration ceremony, Mr Jan H Smith, then Chairman of ESCOM, said of "Kitty." "To me, "Kitty" has always been a link between the past and the future - an example of how dedicated maintenance and the will to preserve can make a chunk of steel a symbol of inspiration which motivates both the young and not so young."

In 1984, after being in continuous service for 105 years, "Kitty" was still going strong. The last of the SAR's own Class C locomotives were finally scrapped in 1940.,

Kitson at Rosherville in 1985 - Photo Dave Parsons Collection - see Sandstone Rail Heritage page

Kitson is on permanent loan from ESKOM to the South African National Railway And Steam Museum (SANRASM) in Krugersdorp.

In 1998 a ride on this steam locomotive was still possible. Enthusiastic volunteers operated the museum. Their efforts ensured that Kitson "steamed" for the public approximately twice each year. Despite the numerous modifications made, "Kitty" was still resplendent in ESCOM’s familiar brown and gold colours closely resembling the original design.

Unfortunately "Kitty" is not steamable in 2009.

"Kitty" had been used in various film productions over the years. One example is on sa.transport.co.za - 3 photos taken at BADPLAAS in 1995 by Richard Niven - look here for the pictures under "Kitson No 13".

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Type: Natal Government Railways Class 13
Work’s No: 2269
Wheel Formation: 4-6-0
Tractive Force (lbs): 11080
Year of manufacture: 1879

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Much of this information on KITSON comes from research material compiled by Mr. Rick Searle, a retired ESKOM employee.

More information on Kitson can be found in R.V. Conyngham's book on "The K & S Class Locomotives of the Natal Government Railways".

1983 First Day Cover

In 1983 this first day cover was made - only 2000 were issued and most were bought by Eskom employees.

This engine was christened "KITTY". On the 29th April 1983 "KITTY" became South Africa's only moving national monument. In 2009 this this steam engine is on show at the railway museum yard in the Krugersdorp SANRASM museum site .

A Drawing of "KITTY"

This drawing has been sourced from sa-transport-co.za. It appears in a brochure commemorating “Kitty”, the oldest operating steam locomotive in South Africa, declared a National Monument on 29 April, 1983. [KITTY AND HER SISTERS - THE ESCOM LOCOMOTIVE STORY, Author: Jorgensen, A A, Publisher: Ixopo and District Historical Society]


photo: Eskom's heritage page.

Photos from the past

Some very interesting historical photos and detail about Kitty may be found on these Sandstone pages. "Kitty" is on the most well known of the Eskom locomotives, “Kitson”, a 4-6-0T locomotive built originally for Natal Government Railways which became South African Railways “C” Class No: 62. It was built by Kitson & Co. of Leeds in 1879 as works number 2269. It is a registered National Monument. The locomotive is now at the SANRASM site near Krugersdorp where it was sent on loan by Eskom along with a number of other Eskom locos in 1993. At that time it was the oldest locomotive, in working order, in South Africa, but is now out of use.

Movie Clips from June 1998

Trevor Staats has posted two movie clips of Kitty in action on Friends of the Rail Video Clips

• June 1998: Kitty departs the SANRASM site, banked by 6A 454
• June 1998: Another view of Kitty hauling a SANRASM train, banked by 6A 454

Sources:

• Locomotives of the South African Railways - Paxton & Bourne - 1985
• Industrial Locomotives of South Africa - Middleton & Williams - 1991
  
• Eskom Heritage Webpage.
• Derek Walker's "Kitty" page
• Drawing from sa-transport-co.za
• Movie Clips by Trevor Staats

Krugersdorp - SANRASM, "Hunslet", Hunslet 790/1902

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN COPIED FROM THE ESKOM MUSEUM HERTITAGE PAGE AND MERELY SERVES TO BACKUP THE INFORMATION IN CASE IT DISAPPEARS:
+++++++++


HUNSLET was built by the Hunslet Engineering Company, Leeds, England in 1902. It is not known who ordered the locomotive. However, it is known that she was shipped from the factory to Durban for Roger Jenkins, a firm of mechanical and electrical engineers acting as agents for Hunslet. The Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company Limited (VFP) bought Hunslet in 1912. It is not known from whom the VFP bought Hunslet.

Hunslet was used to haul coal trains from Modrea railway station to Brakpan power station, a distance of 4km. From 1922, Hunslet served at Vereeniging power station. Hunslet’s nickname was "Mitzi". In May 1953, while stationed at Vereeniging power station, Hunslet was loaned to Vaal power station until Vaal’s DUBS locomotive was repaired.

Hunslet was returned to Vereeniging power station in January 1954. In 1958 Hunslet was loaned to Grootvlei power station, then under construction, to serve as a stationary boiler for steam-cleaning the boiler tubes and steam pipes of the power station’s No 1 boiler. Hunslet was returned to Vereeniging power station again, until the station closed in 1967. With the closure of Vereeniging power station, Hunslet was sent to Rosherville power station. A dedicated locomotive maintenance team, located at Rosherville central workshops, kept Hunslet in first-class condition.

In accordance with conditions first stipulated in the Power Act of 1910 and included in the Electricity Act of 1922, all assets of the VFP were expropriated and taken over by ESCOM in 1948. ESKOM was formerly known as the Electricity Supply Commission (ESCOM).

Originally, Hunslet had coal boxes on each side of the cab. But as these proved to be inadequate, a new coal-bunker was constructed at the rear of the cab in 1946. The old coal boxes became tool-boxes. In summer, as the water in Hunslet’s saddle tank became heated, it caused the two injectors to dribble. This indicated that the water did not condense the steam quickly enough. No such problem was experienced in winter.

Hunslet is on permanent loan from ESKOM to the South African National Railway And Steam Museum also known as SANRASM in Krugersdorp. A ride on this steam locomotive is still possible. Enthusiastic volunteers operate the museum. Their efforts ensure that Hunslet "steams" for the public approximately twice each year.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Type: Port Elizabeth Harbour Board
Work’s No: 790
Wheel Formation: 2-6-0
Tractive Force (lbs): 11700
Year of manufacture: 1902

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This information on HUNSLET comes from research material compiled by Mr. Rick Searle, a retired ESKOM employee.