The North British Locomotive Preservation Group has announced that GMAM Garratt 4135 will be returned to steam in South Africa.

No. 4135 has been stored out of use for some time at Hermanstad. The locomotive has been purchased for the Ceres Railway Project and will be moved to the Cape for restoration and return to steam if enough funds can be raised.

This locomotive was part of the final batch of NBL GMAM’s that were completed at Springburn under subcontract from Beyer Peacock in 1958.

A total of 32 of the class were built by North British in three batches between 1956 and 1958 and were some of the most powerful steam locomotives ever constructed in the UK.

Their works numbers were 27691-27702, 27769-27778 and 27783-27792, SAR running numbers being 4099-4110, 4111-4120 and 4131-4140.

No 4135 carried NBL works number 27787 and was operational for the SAR (South African Railways) from 1958 to 1980. After a short period on loan in Zimbabwe, it was sold to Randfontein Estates Gold Mines where it became their number R4.

When REGM finished their steam operations, it was initially saved for preservation by New Zealander Ian Welch but following the sale of GMAM No. 4083 to Mr Welch, who shipped sister No 4083 and 14A Garratt No 509 to New Zealand, No 4135 was made available for sale.

The plan is to restore No 4135 back to working condition at the Ceres Rail Project. However, moving this 191-ton steam locomotive around 900 miles from Pretoria to the Cape will be a huge task.

Transport costs will be high and public donations towards this cost will be welcomed once an action plan has been put together.

More details of Ceres Rail can be found on their website here.

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