The SAR class 26 "Red Devil" to be restored

Part 8 and 9





regards,
Knut

 

Steam test.

 

Coming late to this thread so I haven’t yet caught up with all the videos. Has it been announced whether it is being restored with all the Wardale modifications reinstated?

 

From what I heard it will not. But It will be a great looking engine anyway

Knut

 

I guess so, although Wardale is the only reason this loco is significant compared to any other 25NC

 

When did they start doing this? Surely not when this thread started?

 

About two weeks before it seems! Looks like the middle of March when work was started in earnest.

 

How on earth did they do it so quick? I guess their boiler regime is less tight than in the UK?

 

She`s back!



kind regards,
Knut

 

Another and very great clip from YouTube!



kind regards,

Knut

 

Yes, which confirm the saying 'never say never'

 

Excellent to see. Anyone have any accurate information about the Wardale modifications still in place. The full list, taken from his book, is given on the 5AT website.
https://www.advanced-steam.org/5at/modern-steam/modern-steam-miscellany/the-red-devil/

 

Thanks for your link sir!
I might be wrong ,but it surprise me that the restoration of this icon seems to gather so little interest by the advanced steam group? It isn`t even mentioned at their web page.

Knut

 

I don't think they are as active since they were unable to attract the funding to develop detailed plans and then a prototype.

 

If the advanced modifications have been reversed then is there any relevance for the advanced steam group? Perhaps if there was a plan to reinstate them It’s obviously not my place to say what anyone should do but the loco is clearly in the hands of a capable team. Fabulous video - good to see it running again.

 

From my understanding many of the modifications were undone for convenience of spare parts/sustainability and maintenance of a one off and started before even Wardale had left South Africa. (and as mentioned in his book) Some things can not be undune - however - very easily, so the cylinder modifications remain. I'm not certain if the lubrication systems remains as intended. The Gas Producer auxiliaries were removed and conventional grates re-instated. The overfire air holes are still there but had been blanked off, though they may be reopened again. An injector was re-fitted very quickly but the feedwater heater lasted until it corroded too much and is now gone. The V chimneys also remain, though I do not know if the lempor nozzles are still in place. These were particularly troublesome to get fabricated correctly so most likely not when replacement came/comes necessary.

 

Great news ,might go again to see her .Colour seems to be a bit different than in my May 2002 shot at Aston on a mixed train. Quite a slippery creature ,severe snaches of the coupling at times after bouts of slipping. Not a comfortable ride in the rear coach ,very light load as well.

 

Thanks a lot for your picture! I have also read that it was a quite slippery engine caused by it`s enormous power. I wonder if this could have been improved if they had equipped the trailing truck with a booster?

Knut

 

As for the Lempor orifices, somewhere on the internet is a picture of the present orifices. Single with a crude crossbar. Clearly the issue with exhaust pressures beyond 11 psi is not understood and the effect
from 4 separate jets in the chimneys is neglected.