This locomotive was built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow in 1945 for the South African Railways.
For details of class 15F go to Class 15F
Locomotives carrying names in South Africa was rare but in 1945 the Minister of Transport instructed that a number of class 15F and class 23 locomotives should be named after various South African cities and towns. The nameplates were fitted to the sides of the smokebox or to the elephant ear smoke deflectors of engines chosen to carry names which were displayed in both official languages in use at that time (Afrikaans and English). The locomotive had originally carried the name Brakpan.
This locomotive is one of the second batch delivered by North British and is fitted with vacuum brakes and a mechanical stoker. During its life it has also acquired a 23 class long tender probably during its allocation to Kroonstad depot. It spent much of its life at Germiston depot where it was converted to oil lubrication from grease pads on its driving axles. This system was preferred for shunting duties which the locomotive had been allocated to.
In 1991 after a brief allocation to Millsite depot in Krugersdorp, the locomotive was selected as the engine to be presented to David Shepherd by Spoornet in exchange for an original painting by the artist of the locomotive. The presentation took place on Kimberley Station after which the locomotive hauled a short train southwards from Kimberley.
David Shepherd did not want to move the locomotive to Britain as to do so would mean that it could only be a static exhibit due to the differences in gauge (South Africa 3ft 6in against Britain 4ft 8½in).
After some time in Germiston depot it was moved to Hilton in Kwa-Zulu Natal where it saw occasional use but was generally unsuited for the lines in the area. It was eventually moved to the Umgeni Steam Railway depot at Mason’s Mill in Pietermaritzburg where it stood out of use.
In 2002 Sandstone Heritage Trust funded repairs to the locomotive which enabled it to be steamed to coincide with a visit by David and his wife Avril to South Africa.
In November 2003 an overhaul of the locomotive was completed and it was given a three year boiler certificate. This enabled it to haul a special train from Mason’s Mill to Cato Ridge and back. At this point David Shepherd asked Sandstone to take custody of the locomotive in the hope that it could be used on the Bloemfontein to Bethlehem line while being based at Ficksburg.
In April 2004 the locomotive was prepared and steamed and hauled in light steam from Mason’s Mill to Bethlehem from where it steamed under its own power to Ficksburg. Usage of the locomotive on this line proved not to be practical and the locomotive was placed in store at Sandstone’s Ficksburg facility.
By this time the locomotive had acquired the name Avril in recognition of David’s wife.
In November 2016 it was repaired following a derailment due to the sleepers in the track being stolen after which the locomotive was moved to a new home with Friends of the Rail at Hermannstad in Pretoria.
The locomotive is thought to subsequently moved to Germiston Locomotive Depot.
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