Steam Improvements of
the Last 30 Years
updated March 1, 2009
Alfred County Railway 2-6-2+2-6-2 No.s
141 & 155
photo courtesy of Phil Girdlestone
| Garratts Number 141 and 155,
former South African Railways class NGG16, were
extensively modernized by Phil Girdlestone in the
1980's on the Alfred Country Railway.
Modifications closely followed those applied to
the larger Cape gauge Class 26 "Red
Devil", including a GPCS firebox, Lempor
exhaust, improved lubrication, and improved
valves. The following photos show some details of
the modifications made to the no. 141. |
ACR No. 141
Lempor exhaust stand and partially assembled
"master mechanics" self-cleaning spark
arrestor |
ACR No. 141
Assembled Lempor exhaust; front spark arrestor
screen has been removed for inspection. Note
radiused lower arrestor screen to smooth gas
flow. |
ACR No. 141
Proportional feed lubricator drive; note absence
of drifting and by-pass valves as proven on
"Red Devil" |
ACR No. 141
Curved wall Kordina, separating exhaust from
front and rear engines rather than right and left
cylinders as on a conventional steam locomotive. |
ACR No. 141
Lempor chimney; secondary spark arrestor was
fitted after locomotive had been in service for
some time as a double safeguard against spark
emissions which are greatly reduced by the GPCS. |
ACR No. 141
Inside of firebox showing secondary air inlets on
right side of firebox. |
ACR No. 141
Showing firebox secondary air inlets
from the outside. Note spark arrestor screen box
covering the inlets and swirl plates to help
promote turbulent mixing of the combustion air
and gasses inside the firebox.
|
ACR No. 141
Modified grate showing pinholes which allow a
much smaller proportion of primary air than a
normal grate. |
ACR No. 141
Front end components awaiting reassembly at Port
Shepstone. |
ACR No. 141
Front end during reassembly following overhaul in
1997. Several details normally "hidden"
on Garratts are visable in this view due to front
tank being removed. |
|
