RESTORATION of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s ex-South African Railways Société Anglo-Franco-Belge (works No. 2684) NG15 ‘Kalahari’ 2-8-2 No. 134 advanced significantly in January. The boiler, which has been undergoing overhaul at Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough, was delivered to Dinas on January 13. No. 134’s rolling chassis was hauled out of the shed and the boiler transferred from the delivery lorry to the loco’s frames, with a pause while the ashpan was bolted into position under the foundation ring.
As darkness fell, No. 134, now with a boiler and looking much more like a steam locomotive, was moved into the goods shed. A week later, it was transferred to the loco shed for completion of the restoration, which is being led by Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri/Welsh Highland Railway Society.
The cab will be modified for use on the Welsh Highland Railway to provide more space for the footplate crew and obviate the potential dangers presented by the moving fall plate between locomotive and tender. This has involved adding an extension frame to the loco. In order to check dimensions and clearances, a wooden mock-up cab has been constructed and temporarily located on the loco.
Subject to continued fundraising and completion of remaining tasks, No. 134
