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ZIMBABWE: GARRATT CENTENARY

Posted on 20 August 2009 by Railways Africa Editor

On 14 August, in honour of extensive functions in Manchester celebrating the centenary of the Garratt steam locomotive, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) had two 15th class Garratts in steam – numbers 414 and 416. In fact, both locos were built by Franco Bilge under contract to Beyer-Peacock (whose works plates they did also bear) and not in Manchester. It is believed that these were the only two Garratts in daily service anywhere in the world on 14 August, except possibly for preserved examples on the 610mm gauge in Wales.

“Traffic on NRZ is at a very low ebb,” Chas Rockwood adds, reporting on the zimrail site, “and the more senior staff have not been paid any salary yet for July.”

...built by Franco Bilge...

I am sure that should read Franco-Belge; these are not boats we are talking of here!!
From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9 ... anco-Belge:

Société Franco-Belge de Matériel de Chemins de Fer was a French engineering firm that specialised mainly in the construction of railway vehicles and their components and accessories. Its was based at Raismes in the Département Nord in France. The firm was assimilated by the railway company of Alstom.

During the occupation of France by the German Reich in the Second World War, the Société Franco-Belge was, inter alia, in charge of the delivery of German wartime steam locomotives — the so-called Kriegsdampflokomotiven (KDL).

Well done, NRZ! Despite the country's economic and political problems and the serious lack of resources, the NRZ, its management and staff still care about their heritage!
Now if only our South African national rail operator, with considerably more resources at its disposal, was as pro-active and caring about its heritage and history. If pigs could fly!

Hi All,

The king of Belgium believed very much into the railways, and enormously helped this industry which exported so much. For reasons of protectionism the customs duties were high in France, also 2 manufacturers turned the law. Blanc Misseron with the factory above the 2 countries, Franco Belgian with 2 factories All the machines delivered in Africa were built in Belgium (La Croyère); that is noticed with the different numbers according to the machines (works number). Only the factory of Raisme in France is property of Alstom. The other is closed, and all the files disappeared.
There are 2 pictures of NGG 16 /(13?) on this site : http://www.tassignon.be/trains/Vapeur%2 ... _Belge.htm
For translation use Babel Fish : http://fr.babelfish.yahoo.com/

Greetings from France.

Jean Francois

Thanks, Jean Francois, for this information, and welcome to the FOTR forum - this is your first post. We hope to hear more from you.

Steve Appleton wrote:

...built by Franco Bilge...

During the occupation of France by the German Reich in the Second World War, the Société Franco-Belge was, inter alia, in charge of the delivery of German wartime steam locomotives — the so-called Kriegsdampflokomotiven (KDL).

[/quote]

A few thinks are left about the KDL. They were ordered for 0,75 m gauge, but no one was finished at the end of the war. Franco Belge sold it first in Austrian light railways (0,76 m) but also into 0,60 m, 1,00, 1,435 with or without tender. Two boilers had been sold without frame and put on 0-8-0T DFB (like the grey one of Sandstone Estate). Three went on Dakar Niger. The works numbers were 2816 to 2857 only 24 are known and 10 or 11 preserved
Jean François

Jean, do you know of Msr Olivier Herubel in Franve, who is steam freak and works for SNCF. He is involved with the preserved steam and often fires the steam specials?

Sorry Nathan, I never heard this name. He may be into the north of France. I am living into the south east (Lyon).

Jean François