Alfred County Railway, South Africa

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Phil Girdlestone (left) & Shaun McMahon at the ACR

In 1994 Shaun moved to South Africa to take up the post of Assistant Mechanical Engineer on the 2' gauge Alfred County Railway (ACR), the CME being Phil Girdlestone. Shortly afterwards he resigned from his partnership with Nigel Day in order to prevent any conflict of interest. Amongst the many tasks which come with being assistant to the CME work was undertaken on the design of a new locomotive (NGG17) for the line and the implementation Porta's "witchcraft"* water treatment system.

Prior to Shaun's arrival on ACR Phil Girdlestone had modified two of the line's NGG16 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratts. These locomotives, Nos. 141 & 155 were in regular service during Shaun's time on the line.

ACR Gradient Profile - Click to open an enlargement

ACR's gradient profile. © Railway Magazine

For an excellent article on the NGG16 Garratts writtne by Shaun & Phil Girdlestone click here.

For an excellent article on the NGG16 Garratts written by Shaun & Phil Girdlestone click here.

For more details on the NGG16A Garratts click here.

NGG16A 141, another 'Red Devil', at Port Shepstone. 1998. © Nigel A.H.Day

NGG16A 141, another 'Red Devil', at Port Shepstone. 1998. © Nigel A.H.Day

Modified Garratt NGG16A 155 was one of the locomotives Shaun came to know well during his time on ACR. April 1995 © Shaun McMahon
NGG16A 155
Modified Garratt NGG16A 155 was one of the locomotives Shaun came to know well during his time on the ACR. April 1995 © Shaun McMahon

NGG16A 155 out and about on the ACR. March 19 1996. © P.F.Bagshawe, Courtesy of Shaun McMahon

NGG16A 155 out and about on the ACR. March 19 1996. © P.F.Bagshawe, Courtesy of Shaun McMahon

At ACR Shaun was involved in the export of several surplus NGG16 type 2' gauge Garratts. Nos.138 & 143 where rebuild and equipped with oil firing prior to export for use on the reborn Welsh Highland Railway. No.129 moved to the Puffing Billy Railway for eventual conversion to 2'6" gauge and use on that line. It was whilst in South Africa that contact was made with the engineering staff at Puffing Billy that ultimately lead to the improvements to NA 6A as detailed if you click here.

The oil firing pan plate for one of the WHR NGG16s partially complete at Port Shepstone. The air intakes are arranged to induce a swirl effect. © Shaun McMahon
The oil firing pan plate for one of the WHR NGG16s partially complete at Port Shepstone. The air intakes are arranged to induce a swirl effect. © Shaun McMahon

Exported NGG16 No.143 at Caernarfon on the Welsh Highland Railway. September 28 2003
Exported NGG16 No.143 at Caernarfon on the Welsh Highland Railway. September 28 2003

* The description "witchcraft" was given to the scheme by those who did not, and would not, understand it and did not want to change the SAR religion of daily blow downs and boiler problems.

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