Query about ex-SAR loco relocated to Glasgow

For any research questions you may have about railway equipment, railway people, railway history etc
Post Reply
User avatar
Steve Appleton
Site Admin
Posts: 3605
Joined: 23 Jan 2007, 14:14
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Query about ex-SAR loco relocated to Glasgow

Post by Steve Appleton »

I Hope You Can Help?
Dear Sir;
I watched a documentary this past week, Nov 10th, on the rescue of a British built steam engine
built in Glasgow and sent to S.Africa many yr's ago, 60 i beleive they said but taken from service
after 30 yrs and sat dead next 30 yrs. I believe it to be a 2.8.2 wheel type and 95 tons.
Was hauled to an east coast port in Africa for loading onto a ship for Britain. With only 8 days to do, loaded around the horn, but the ship was deverted to Germany first, then on to Britian, off loaded then trucked some I believe 300 miles by road to Glasgow to be set up in city square for permanent display. But I don't now the year, but i do know the thing was not too far back.
I know this is somewhat of a strange inquiry but I can't seem to find a website in or around Glasgow to help in tracking down this story or a big effort to save this engine and bring it home.
Wish I could help with some location names as the documentary was being made during its journey but can't remember. Then when finding your website on African steam, I hope that you may know of this story to save this engine and if there is a video made of this recovery as I would like to get a copy. But until I can get a website i'am stuck!
So if you can help in anyway and know this story please pass on a website of this society or group involved in this to me, it so would be very truly welcome.
Sincerely Yours
Thomas Watson - Canada
I have responded as follows:
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for your message and thanks for contacting us.

The loco I think you are referring to is the ex-South African Railways, class 15F, number 3007. This was moved by the North British Loco Preservation Group (NBLPG) back to Glasgow in August 2007.
The story is here at:
http://www.nbloco.net/ Click on "15F 3007 more information".

Another NBL-built loco was relocated earlier in 1991 to the UK. This was ex-South African Railways, class 25NC, number 3405, by the North British Locomotive Society (NBLS). Their website is at:
http://www.nbls.co.uk/

A brief history of the North British Loco company can be obtained here:
http://www.cat-flap.demon.co.uk/nb.htm
and here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Brit ... ve_Company
I hope this answers you query satisfactorily. Should you want any more information, please ask again.
Best regards,
Steve Appleton
"To train or not to train, that is the question"
j francois Couedou
Posts: 6
Joined: 28 May 2008, 14:32

Re: Query about ex-SAR loco relocated to Glasgow

Post by j francois Couedou »

Hi all,

There is a professional video of the travel back to U.K :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=FR&hl=f ... re=related

Note the specific song

Enjoy.

Jean François
Tom Macrery
Posts: 308
Joined: 26 Jan 2007, 08:47
Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Re: Query about ex-SAR loco relocated to Glasgow

Post by Tom Macrery »

Merci Francois, What an amazing video, and song! This was only two years back and I don't recall it made any of our conversations around the tea table in the blue coach at FOTR. It should have been quite an important event for us here as well as for Glaswegians and NBL afficianados. Is it now permanently in that square in Glasgow? And does anyone recognize the men in that video?
User avatar
Martin Coombs
Posts: 22
Joined: 24 Jan 2009, 11:39
Location: Sydenham loco circa 1974-5, Ambleside England nowadays

Re: Query about ex-SAR loco relocated to Glasgow

Post by Martin Coombs »

to Glasgow to be set up in city square for permanent display.
The North British Locomotive Preservation Group were interested in saving a 15F but a long way from having the money to do so, when Glasgow Transport Museum became interested after the failure of a scheme to repatriate 25NC no. 3488.

On arrival in Glasgow the loco and tender were displayed in the city centre for a few days in a conscious echo of the long past displays of brand new export locos constructed at the North British Locomotive Company's works. However, the long-term aim is for the engine to be displayed in the city's transport museum after its location to new premises.

3007 is currently in secure under-cover storage.

Martin Coombs
j francois Couedou
Posts: 6
Joined: 28 May 2008, 14:32

Re: Query about ex-SAR loco relocated to Glasgow

Post by j francois Couedou »

Hello,

It's true. The museum will be built along the Clyde (river). The engine will be on display parallel to the river. A very large window will allows to admire the engine from the other side of the Clyde.
At the present time the engine is stored in a closed building.

Greetings from France.

J.F. Couëdou
Post Reply

Return to “Railway Research”