More South African Wagons arrive at Woody Bay!

As previously reported (CLICK HERE to see photos of the dispatch of these wagons from South Africa), two more wagons from the Sandstone Heritage Trust arrived at Woody Bay, Wednesday 17th August.  Regular Thursday volunteer Roger Bye broke his routine in order to compile this report regarding the unloading of these latest wagons to come from South Africa.

1. Almost a year ago the first ballast (Y) and dropside (DZ) wagons arrived from South Africa.  Today, under much bluer Devon skies, another container of wagons and parts from South Africa arrived at Killington Lane.

2. After removing the tarpaulin roof from the container, a look inside revealed an NG Y hopper wagon and a DZ wagon.

3. & 4. However, this time the Y wagon had been loaded first, the bogies had been removed from the DZ wagon and placed in the Y wagon, and the chassis of the DZ wagon inverted and placed on top of the hopper wagon.

5. 6. & 7. With a skilled operator and HIAB hired from our regular local contractor Nick Sampson, the DZ wagon was unloaded first...

8. ...to be temporarily stored upside down. This gave a unique opportunity to see the underside of a wagon like this. The vacuum brake piping and reservoir can be seen. Also visible are the pins that locate the bogies in place – more about this later! For the observant reader, the vacuum cylinder is not in place but will be re-fitted later.

9. & 10. Next out were the bogies for the DZ wagon.

11. & 12. The initials of the previous owner, South African Railways, and the dates of manufacture were evident.

13. Next out were the side panels for the DZ wagon ...

14. ... the fitting of which will no doubt be another “lightweight” job for the Thursday gang!

15. 16 & 17. The last part of the unloading was the Y hopper wagon, which was swung out and across, ...

18. & 19. ... to be settled safely on L&B metals.

20. 21. & 22. The final job was to turn the DZ wagon chassis “right way up” ...

23. ... and to carefully lower it onto the bogies to ensure the pivot pins, (lovingly cleaned and greased for the first time for many years) engaged correctly in the bogies.

24. The day’s work was successfully completed with both wagons on the rails ready for transport to Woody Bay for a mechanical check, repairs where necessary and repainting, by which time it started raining!

Words and Photos Roger Bye