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History of Bagnall 3050 Registered Charity Number 1171674

3050 was one of 4 similar locos build for the Rustenburg Platinum Mines of South Africa by WG Bagnall of Stafford.

The locos were used to haul 4 x 12 ton reef hoppers full of Platinum ore for the mine shafts to the reduction plant, distances of 6-10km. However as the mine expanded, the 2′ gauge lines were replaced by 3’6″ (South African standard gauge) lines until the last 2′ line closed in March 1981.

Whilst at Rustenburg, the locos had several modifications, including:

  • Suspension changed from leaf spring to soil springs.
  • Steam generator’s were fitted for lights. The locos originally had paraffin lamps.
  • The original drop feed lubricator fitted on top of the sliding valves were replaced with steam pressure lubricators.
  • The 2 steam inlet and exhaust pipes under the smoke box were changed from copper to steel pipes with gland boxes.

From 1948 – 1981, the locos run on the railway were as follows:

No Type Current Location  
1 Bagnall 0-4-2 2870/1948 Gold Reef City, Johannesburg  
2 Bagnall 0-4-2 2895/1948 Loxhill, Surry, England  
3 Bagnall 0-4-2 3023/1953 Welsh Highland Railway (cost when new – £5,540)
4 Bagnall 0-4-2 3050/1953 Welsh Highland Railway (cost when new – £4,596)
5 NGG12 2-6-0+0-6-2   ex SAR No 56
6 NGG12 2-6-0+0-6-2   ex SAR No 57
7 NGG11 2-6-0+0-6-2 Preserved in Johannesburg ex SAR No 52
8 NG4 4-6-2T Preserved in Port Elizabeth ex SAR No 16
9 Bagnal 0-6-0DM 3124-25/1957 Alfred County Railway  
10 Bagnal 0-6-0DM Alfred County Railway  
11 Bagnal 0-6-0DM 3204-25/1961 Alfred County Railway

Many thanks to C.S.Scott (General Manager 1990), and J.N.Middleton (Railway Preservation Group) for help with the above.

 
 

Other locos of this type built by WG Bagnalls

Works No Date Order Date Delivery Customer
2870 20/5/46 22/7/48 Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd
Via Baldwins (South Africa) Ltd (WGB agents)
2895 29/9/47 22/7/48
2897 17/12/46 26/7/48 McLeod & Co. India Ltd
for Goalpara Forest Tramway (Assam)
2897 31/12/46 26/7/48 McLeod & Co. India Ltd
for Divisional Forest Officer Kachllgaon Division
2896     11/56 Spares for both engines, Mcleod & Co, 
Goalpara Forest Tramways, Assam
2897    
3023 18/4/50 27/3/53 Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd
Via Baldwins (South Africa) Ltd (WGB agents)
3050 20/2/51 27/3/53

Dimensions When Built:

Cylinders 9×14″ Heating surface, tubes 262  sq ft
D.W. dia 2’3½” Heating surface, firebox 36.3 sq ft
T.W dia 1/7″   Total: 298.3 sq ft
F.W. Base 5’0″ Grate Area 7.6 sq ft
T.W. Base 11’0″   W.P. 160 P.S.I
Water Capy 480 Galls T.E @85% 5,608lbs
Fuel Capy 30 cub. Ft. Boilerfeed 2xNo.5 m/m injectors
Weight in W.Order 16 tons    
Steel firebox & steel tubes 2895, 2896-7
Copper firebox & brass tubes 2870
  3023, 3050 (steel tubes)
Bagnal Price Valve Gear
Contact Details:
  • Gelert Trust
  • c/o: Welsh Highland Railway Ltd
  • Tremadog Road
  • Porthmadog
  • LL49 9DY
  • Email:info@whhr.co.uk
  • Telephone: 01766 513402.
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