Maintenance Vehicle

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Jonathan Glover
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Joined: 29 Aug 2008, 14:11

Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Jonathan Glover »

Took this photo just outside Kimberly Station. Thought it may be of interest.
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IMG_3279.jpg
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John Ashworth
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Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by John Ashworth »

Very interesting little vehicle. And I believe this is your first post to the FOTR forum, Jonathan. Welcome, and we look forward to many more posts from you.
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Dylan Knott
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Joined: 17 Aug 2007, 19:44
Location: Cape Town

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Dylan Knott »

Wickham Inspection Trolley. Powered by a Perkins Diesel. Must be only one in service and should be preserved.
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Derek Walker
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Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Derek Walker »

Wow... which side is the front? and why does it have a pantograph if it is diesel powered? It even has SAS on it too! Great find!!
Not quite on the rails.
Check out my train vids. http://www.youtube.com/user/nixops
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John Ashworth
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Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by John Ashworth »

I'm no expert, Derek, but I would guess that the pantograph is for testing the overhead wire.
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Dylan Knott
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Location: Cape Town

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Dylan Knott »

Correct, John.

Derek the fwd section is below the inspection superstructure. Must be the last one in service.
Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

Excelent! What a great find! If you have any more pics of this please put them up.....
Jonathan Glover
Posts: 13
Joined: 29 Aug 2008, 14:11

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Jonathan Glover »

Unfortunately this is the only picture I have. I took it while on the Trans-Orange so only got one propper shot.
Geoff Pethick
Posts: 25
Joined: 29 Feb 2008, 08:29

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Geoff Pethick »

I doubt this is the last in use. There were six delivered in April and May 1975 from Wickham of Ware, UK. There was one OOU in PE about four years ago, and I think there was one working from Braamfontein fairly recently. I have seen a locally built copy, in fact I travelled in it, but being such useful vehicles its unlikely all the Wickhams are gone.

regards
Geoff Pethick
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Dylan Knott
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Joined: 17 Aug 2007, 19:44
Location: Cape Town

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Dylan Knott »

1734 and a blue one were at PE along with several other trolleys. All sold last year and cut up.

Have seen one at Bellville, but unsure of its running number.
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Jez Smith
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Joined: 11 Nov 2007, 19:33
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Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Jez Smith »

Following on from Mr Walker's sensible request, I have posted the following pics taken at De Aar in August 2007 by Colonel Andre Kritzinger of what can only be described as a follow on from the Wickham (of Ware) OHL trolley viewed above. Looking at the number, I wonder if this is one of a kind, as the NC 25kv system is a little isolated - are there any more in Gauteng/MP/KZN?
It fascinates me, as in the UK we use diesel hailed trains with specific pantograph equipped coaches fitted with all the necessary diagnostic equipment, so a compact little thing such as the Luberailer makes me smile. Pics of the UK overhead test train will follow.
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Note the gunk all over the non-driving end, and literally dripping from the pan - is this grease?!?
Note the gunk all over the non-driving end, and literally dripping from the pan - is this grease?!?
pictures_21332_Trolley K9 510 001 (Luberailer) (Side B).JPG (100.02 KiB) Viewed 6140 times
pictures_26703_Luberailer_Andr Kritzinger_edited.jpg
pictures_26703_Luberailer_Andr Kritzinger_edited.jpg (143.78 KiB) Viewed 6139 times
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Dylan Knott
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Joined: 17 Aug 2007, 19:44
Location: Cape Town

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Dylan Knott »

Modified version of this. Also travelled in one and they are great!
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Luxrailer at Mission 2007. On way back from Caledon.
Luxrailer at Mission 2007. On way back from Caledon.
Luxrailer.JPG (103.19 KiB) Viewed 6136 times
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Luca Lategan
Posts: 457
Joined: 16 Nov 2007, 12:04
Location: stellenbosch

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Luca Lategan »

How easy is it to buy one of those that you have on sale and use it on Spoornet lines? Even little used lines like Bredasdorp - Sir Lowery's...
Luca Lategan...
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Dylan Knott
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Joined: 17 Aug 2007, 19:44
Location: Cape Town

Re: Maintenance Vehicle

Post by Dylan Knott »

Access costs per km will kill any operation. Thats why ours are for sale.
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