Category: South African Railways

South African Railways (SAR) once operated a not inconsiderable number of 2ft Narrow Gauge lines, to compliment their extensive 3ft 6in ‘Cape Gauge’ network. Usually, built in areas with more challenging terrain, these lines were often used as feeders to the main-line, whilst others were very much a system in their own right. At 177 miles long and complete with 2 branch lines and a 12-mile-long private siding, the Avontuur Railway was by far the most extensive and indeed impressive. The SAR 2ft Gauge lines were home to a wide variety of vehicles. Some were unique to their allocated line but others were standard designs and spread far and wide. It is also pleasing to note that a great many locomotives and items of rolling stock have survived into preservation in South Africa and indeed around the world. Resurgam Rolling Stock offers a large range of 16mm scale kits, representing South African Railway Narrow Gauge Prototypes. These kits are a natural accompaniment to the ‘Accucraft’ NG15 ‘Kalahari’ and NG/G16 ‘Garratt’, as well as the upcoming NG6 ‘Lawley’. However, many of these vehicles are preserved in the UK, with numerous examples to be found on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, as well as the Vale of Rheidol and Lynton and Barnstaple Railways.

Indeed, for those not overly concerned with rigorous adherence to the prototype, they make for generously proportioned, but not unduly long vehicles, which will sit well with many of the larger, generic live-steam locomotives currently in circulation. Specification

- 16mm Scale Laser Cut Kits available in MDF or Plywood
- Proven ‘Hidden Slot and Tab’ construction for easy, accurate assembly
- Highly detailed, with copious engraved rivet detail and full strapping
- Complete with steel wheelsets and oil-filled bronze bearings
- Can be built to 32 or 45mm gauge as standard (please specify when ordering)

Markings

Most of the vehicles represented in the range were built in significant quantities. As such no lettering or numbering is provided as it would be impractical to include so many numbering options. However, ‘Endon Valley Decals’ produce appropriate decals and these can be customised to suit your requirements.

CGR/SAR L-4 First Class Carriage

One of several 2ft gauge carriage types built originally for the Cape Government Railway and later passed to South African Railways, and used on the Avontuur Branch, running from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur. Whilst a number survive in this original condition, many were later converted to corridor carriages and had their bodywork extended to permit […]
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CGR/SAR L-5 First Class Corridor Carriage

These vehicles were rebuilt from L-4 carriages, in order to provide sanatory facilities for the travelling public. To this end they were lengthened and a W/C compartment inserted in the middle; internal doors were installed to provide corridor access from all compartments. Although prototypical for SAR, this vehicle would look at home on most 16mm […]
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CGR/SAR N-3 First Class Brake Composite

Seven of these carriages were built for the Cape Government Railway and later passed to South African Railways; all eventually found their way to the Avontuur Branch. Two have survived into preservation with Apple Express, although both have been heavily modified. Over their working lives these vehicles have seen several different liveries and many had […]
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CGR/SAR S-15 Third Class Corridor Carriage

These vehicles were rebuilt from 5 compartment carriages, in order to provide sanatory facilities for the travelling public. To this end the vehicles were lengthened and a W/C compartment inserted in the middle; internal doors were installed to provide corridor access from all compartments. Although prototypical for SAR, this comparatively short bogie vehicle would look […]
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CGR/SAR S-5 Third Class Carriage

One of several 2ft gauge carriage types built originally for the Cape Government Railway and later passed to South African Railways and used on the Avontuur Branch, running from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur. None survive in this original condition, having been later converted to corridor carriages and had their bodywork extended to permit inclusion of […]
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CGR/SAR T-1 Third Class Brake Composite

These were the last batch of 2ft gauge carriages built for the Cape Government Railway and later passed to South African Railways. They were used on the Avontuur Branch, as well as the Hopefield Line. However, all went on to end their days of the Avontuur where most lost their passenger accommodation and were reclassified […]
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CGR/SAR U-2 ‘Walmer’ Suburban Carriage

The Walmer Branch opened in 1906 and was a ‘passenger only’ line, built to connect the suburb of the same name directly to Port Elizabeth. A pair of very elegant Bagnall 4-6-2 tanks were provided as the prime motive power for this service, along with three distinctive balcony carriages; designated U-2. Bench seating was arranged […]
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SAR ‘Ex-USATC Box Vans’

These distinctive United States Army Transportation Corps type vehicles were originally constructed by the American Car & Foundry Co. for use on the Vicicongo Railway. However, 220 were subsequently purchased by SAR in 1945. Originally built with air brakes and Vicicongo type couplings, they also required their wheels turning to SAR standards, as well as […]
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SAR ‘NG G-7 ‘Cattle Wagon’

Cattle and dairy traffic were a major component of traffic on many of the 2ft Gauge lines in South Africa. The ‘NG G-7’ was a later design and utilised predominantly on the Port Shepstone to Harding Line. Specification - 16mm Scale Laser Cut Kit available in MDF or Plywood - Proven, hidden slot and tabs […]
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SAR ‘NG O-3’ ‘Insulated-Wagon’

In the late 1970s, trials were conducted into the transportation of pre-cooled palletised fruit on the Avontuur Branch, which required the use of an insulated van. Following a successful trial, all 200 ‘NG OZ-6’ vehicles were rebuilt along with many ‘NG OZ-5s.’ In order to accommodate an international standard pallet of fruit stacked 6 cartons […]
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SAR ‘NG OZ-5 ‘Ventilated Wagon’

These ventilated wagons were the mainstay of fruit traffic on the Avontuur line for over 50 years, but also found use in general traffic. During the fruit season they were often seen running in substantial block consists behind double headed ‘NG15s’, and frequently sheeted over with tarpaulins. In the late 1970s, many were rebuilt as […]
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SAR ‘NG TZ-9 ‘Water Cooled Wagon’

The heat in South Africa was often a barrier to transporting perishable goods, but as new narrow gauge lines opened up previously inaccessible but highly productive agricultural areas, the need to transport dairy products became ever more pressing. Whilst simple water-cooling systems had been used in cold storage rooms, it wasn't until the mid-1920s it […]
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SAR ‘NG-8D-11 / NG-8D-13’ ‘Open Wagon’

These 2ft gauge, wooden bodied open wagons were originally built as ‘Type O’ open wagons for the Otavi Minen und Eisenbahn Gesellschaft (OMEG), in former German South West Africa (now Namibia). During the early part of the First World War, Union of South Africa forces drove the Germans out and seized control of this line. […]
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SAR ‘Type 1’ ‘B-Wagon’

The earliest variant of the ubiquitous ‘B-wagon’, which features a range of detail differences compared to the later ‘Type 2’; in particular the ‘Type 1’ features a much greater degree of riveted construction, with different end and door details. These vehicles were seen in use over many of the SAR 2ft gauge lines, sometimes in […]
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SAR ‘Type 1’ ST ‘Lumber’ Wagon

The ST ‘Lumber’ wagons were a common sight on the lines in Natal and some were utilised in the later days of the Avontuur Branch. Whilst ideal for those modelling SAR, this distinctive looking vehicle could find a home on all but the smallest garden railways. Specification - 16mm Scale Laser Cut Kit available in […]
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SAR ‘Type 2’ ‘B-Wagon’

One of the ubiquitous SAR Narrow Gauge bogie vehicles, ‘B-Wagons’ were a common site on many of the 2ft gauge lines. They were used to carry a variety of loads and were also subsequently modified with addition of stakes for carrying logs and sugar cane. Many photographs show these vehicles running in block consists of […]
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SAR L-13 First Class Carriage

Eight of these First Class vehicles were constructed by ‘Sachsische Waggon’ and delivered to SAR in 1927. They were placed in service on the Kakamas Branch, South West Africa and later on branches in Natal, as well as the Avontuur. Before the end of their working lives, many of these vehicles were rebuilt in various […]
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SAR NG DZ-10 ‘Dropside’ Wagon

These vehicles were a development of the earlier DZ vehicles and built with extended sides and ends to increase their overall capacity. They were used primarily for the transportation of limestone between Loerie and Chelsea on the Avontuur Branch. Over time a number of these vehicles lost their side extensions, and as such, kits for […]
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SAR NG DZ-9 ‘Dropside’ Wagon

The very first 'all steel bogie dropside wagons' were built for the Natal Government Railway in 1910, with South African Railways continuing to purchase them thereafter. They saw use on many of the 2ft Gauge SAR Lines, carrying all manner of material from limestone to sugar cane. A number of these extremely useful vehicles have […]
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SAR NG V-16 Brake Van Kit

This was one of the archetypal SAR vehicles used on a number of the 2ft Gauge Lines; as such this Brake Van would be an ideal accompaniment to any of our waggon kits. However, photographic evidence also shows them in mixed trains. An example has also found its way to the re-built Welsh Highland Railway, […]
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SAR NG- Y-1 Ballast Hopper Wagon

These magnificent vehicles were originally constructed for the project to upgrade the Avontuur Branch and were considered a ‘miniaturised’ version of their 3ft 6in gauge equivalent. Two batches were built by Hudson (SA), the first in 1968 and the second in 1976, and featured variable side discharge doors and were braked on both bogies. Whilst […]
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SAR NG-C ‘Gondola’ Wagon

The NG C-class ‘Gondola’ wagons first appeared from 1976, specifically intended for the limestone traffic between Loerie and Chelsea on the Avontuur Branch. At Chelsea there was a connection to the 12-mile-long private system belonging to the Eastern Province Cement Co, which later became Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC). The new ‘Gondolas’ weighed about half a […]
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SAR NG-V2 Brake Van ‘Original Condition’ Kit

This 16mm scale kit represents the characterful ‘V-2 Brake Van’ in its original SAR condition. This vehicle was rebuilt from an ex- Otavi Railway Box Van and was noted as often being used on limestone trains on the Avontuur Branch. It is shown here in Imperial Brown as depicted in S. M. Moir’s Photograph in […]
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SAR NG-V2 Brake Van ‘Re-built Condition’ Kit

This 16mm scale kit represents the rebuilt ‘V-2 Brake Van’, NG 1050, which was rebuilt with full matchboard sides and is today preserved at Humewood Road as part of the Apple Express formation. Although numbered as goods stock, it has been available for use as a passenger carrying vehicle, with seating for nine. The kit […]
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SAR NG-V5 Brake Composite Kit

The ‘NG V-5’ Brake Vans were Built by South African Railways in 1957 and were initially allocated to the Avontuur and Otavi lines. When the latter line was re-gauged in the early 1960s, its allocation of V-5s were transferred to Natal. As such, these vans could be found just about anywhere on the SAR 2ft […]
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