Template:Featured picture/February 2009

Acquired early in 2006 from the Exmoor Steam Railway, 87 is the fourth South African Railways Class NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2T Beyer Garratt locomotive to be acquired for the WHR(C). In contrast to 1958-built numbers 138, 143 and 140, number 87 comes from the very first batch of NGG16s (developed from the NGG13), built by John Cockerill of Seraing, Belgium in 1936. 87 spent its working life in South Africa. Following the arrival of the Class 91 diesels in 1973 on the Avontuur line, the Class NGG16s there were transferred to Natal. At the time of closure in 1986, locomotives No. 87, 109, 113 and 153 were on shed at Ixopo. 109 later found its way to Exmoor, where it is today, while 113 and 153 were sold to the Midmar Historical Village in Natal, where they remained until 1998 when both locomotives passed into the ownership of the Sandstone Heritage Trust. Both 113 and 153 are now operational on the Sandstone Steam Railroad. Following overhaul, 87 made its first test runs in late January 2009. It is expected to enter service later in the year. Photo credit: Alun Evans Recently featured: The Boat's first passenger trip – Prince in the Aberglaslyn Pass – Palmerston