AFTER 14 years out of service the unique South African Railways (SAR) Class 26 4-8-4 No. 3450 – named the ‘Red Devil’ – returned to main line service.
This followed a overhaul at Worcester (180km north-east of Cape Town) on July 3.
Overnight steam tests were carried out on July 2, followed by yard tests in the morning, and after a few adjustments the locomotive ran on the main line to Cape Town in the afternoon.
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The locomotive had last been used in 2004, being stored out of use, but cared for by private enthusiasts on behalf of the Transnet Heritage Foundation (THF) at Monument Station, in Cape Town, until this year.
Its four-month long restoration to working order this year was funded by Ceres Rail, a Cape Town-based steam tourist train operator. The restoration included boiler and ashpan repairs and the replacement of boiler lagging and other fixtures.
The tender was refurbished at Voorbaai Depot, in Mossel Bay, east of Cape Town. When the overhaul work was completed, the ‘Red Devil’ underwent a total repaint into the signature vermillion livery that gives it its nickname.
Read more in the August issue of The RM – on sale now!
