The Steamer Is Not Dead
Page 46
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In Johannesburg CERTAINLY one of the largest municipal fleets of steamers in the world, if not the largest, is that which consists of 50 Sentinels and is operated by the City Council of Johannesburg. The original decision to embark upon a scheme of mechanization was taken by the council in 1922, and this was followed by the acquirement of a small number of steam wagons of three different makes.
Close watch was kept upon the performance of these machines, and after a lapse of several years, the runningcost retards revealed that, in view of the conditions obtaining locally, the Sentinel was the most economic and reliable.
There followed the purchase of further Sentinels from time to time, and now the city engineer's department has in commission, together with certain machines of other makes, 19 DG6 models, 17 Super-Sentinels, seven S6, four DG4 and three S4 machines. Dependent largely on the class of work upon which the vehicles are engaged, the monthly mileage varies from, 600 to three times that distance, but the Average costs for the different • , models are definite. Here are the figures for four of them, which are by no means without interest; they are in pence per ton-Mile: Super-Sentinels, . 5.4; DG4, 4.5; DG6, 3.1; and S6,. 4.5.
• With regard to maintenance, each vehicle is: docked for minor adjustments every four weeks, when the boilers are washed out and the chains
removed and cleaned. In order to comply with the South African Machinery Regulations, all vehicles go into the workshops, after 15 months' running, for major overhaul. This includes practically stripping each machine, descaling the boiler, renewing tubes, and cleaning and repacking. where appropriate, all mountings and fittings. Piston rings, valves, engine bearings, and spring slippers and carriers are renewed. Worn tyres, and ;wheel bushes and thrust washers are replaced and brake shoes are refaced, whilst bodywork is repaired as necessary and repainted.
In control of the department and, of course, responsible for the operation of this big fleet of steamers is Dr. E. J. Hamlin, Johannesburg City Engineer. whilst the mechanical engineer in . immediate charge of transport is Mr. J. C. Cumow.
Whilst steam in this country has felt the influence of unfavourable con• ditions, it is significant that it should remain so firmly established in South Africa, and the obvious success of Johannesburg's fleet constitutes a tribute to the Sentinel Waggon Works (1936), Ltd., 72-74, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, which company, we understand, is still building steamers to fulfil large orders, while employing its wide vehicle-building experience and knowledge of solid-fuel machines in its new venture.