CG1 Nuts about Locos Traditional Cache

This is a micro cache (magnet) hidden on the black loco at the entrance to Intaka Island in Century City. Bring own pen/pencil to log your find.

There are many construction activities in the area ... so beware of muggles during the week. There is also a security muggle doing his rounds.

My GPS readings was all over the place and the coordinates above was the most consistent

PLEASE PLACE ON EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT WHERE YOU HAVE FOUND IT!!

The history

In terms of an arrangement with the proprietors of Century City, NGG16 No. 112 has been prepared by the Sandstone Heritage Trust for display as a public interest item. The Garratt locomotive was one of a number of types of articulated locomotives developed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The inventor of the Garratt, Herbert William Garratt, was born in England in 1864 and served a railway apprenticeship at the Bow works of the North London Railway from 1879 until 1882. After a spell in marine engineering he became locomotive superintendent of the Central Argentine Railway in 1892. The NGG16 class was developed from the NGG13 design developed by Hanomag and the SAR in 1927 and became the standard narrow gauge Garratt design for over 40 years. Although virtually identical the NGG16 class was first delivered in 1937, minor detail differences from the first NGG13’s prompted the SAR to reclassify them. In 1939 a second batch of engines was ordered from Beyer Peacock comprising numbers 109 to 116. Number 112 is one of this delivery being Beyer Peacock works number 6922 of 1939. No: 112 was allocated to Umzinto in the Natal Province for use on the Ixopo branch from where she was withdrawn in October 1977. As the narrow gauge lines in Natal were slowly closed, Umzinto, amongst other depots became a dump for the Garratts.

In the late 1990’s the Ratanga Junction development in Cape Town acquired a number of narrow gauge locos from Spoornet, including no: 112, for a proposed 2ft line around the theme park. This part of the development never reached fruition and no: 112 and the other locos languished in the salty Cape air until acquired by Sandstone in 2006 together with the other three NGG16 examples Ratanga Junction had purchased. As part of the acquisition Sandstone undertook to restore one locomotive cosmetically for display at Ratanga Junction. Number 112 was selected.

In July 2007 the locomotive was stripped completely to its component parts. The main frames and boiler were sandblasted and painted with rust prevention paint while the engine units were dismantled; the wheels and motion were removed and given a similar treatment. The cab, coal bunker and tank were also sandblasted and given the same rust protection. The cab was then refitted after the wooden roof lining was revarnished and a new wooden cab floor was fitted. The boiler was then re-lagged and the cladding replaced. All external piping and fittings were replaced either from wood or steel in the style of the original. As all the cab fittings were long gone, new replicas were made from steel including the turret, spindles, lubricator, brake ejector and gauge columns. Perspex was used for the gauge glasses. New seats were made up from wood. Number plates that are normally brass and invite theft were fabricated from wood.

Contract Completion

The two locomotives are plinthed in Grand Central which is a part of the Central Park development which is the gateway to Intaka island. The contract was recently completed with the delivery of a Douglas Colliery Tank Engine (the green engine).

The two locomotives will have plaques erected on the plinth which provide the provenance of the locos and Century City have advised that further plaques describing the history of steam in the Cape will be erected so that the locomotives are not only for show but will be there for educational purposes. As a part of the development of Grand Central, and building on the steam educational theme, granite slabs depicting parts of locomotives on them will be laid into the paving and school children will be able to do rubbings of these. In this way children will not only learn about the old steam locomotives but this will hopefully help them to appreciate the wonderful steam heritage that South Africa has.

NGG16 stats for the enthusiasts

• Wheel Arrangement: 2-6-2+2-6-2 oOOOo-oOOOo
• Driving Wheel Diameter: 2 ft. 9 in.
• Cylinders: 4 x 12in. x 16 in.
• Valve Gear: Walschaert's
• Boiler Pressure: 180 lbs per square in.
• Grate Size: 19.5 square ft.
• Length: 48 ft. 5¼ in.
• Weight: 61 tons 800 lbs
• Axle Load: 6 tons 1,800 lbs
• Coal Capacity: 8 tons
• Water Capacity: 1,325 gallons (front)