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NARROW GAUGE COACHES OF THE SAR Part 2.

By Leith Paxton

We continue the overview of SAR narrow gauge coaches looking this time at the NG.N-1, NG.S-1 and NG.S-2. I should have pointed out that, at Union, the Natal coaches were numbered from No.1 to 25, the Cape from No.51 to 99, while there was one solitary ex CSAR coach No.121. Much of the information used in these articles is based on diagrams but it is highly likely that other mods to coaches which alas, went unrecorded.

NG.N-1. Two of these 1st Compo Vans were imported for use of the Weenen branch and it appears they spent their entire lives in Natal. No.7 had it’s baggage space increased to 14’- 0½” with the removal of one row of seats and was reclassified NG.N-8. In 1967 it was converted to a NG.V-8 and was scrapped shortly after in Dec, 1970. No.8 remained unaltered until 1968 when the body was removed and the underframes was used as a flat wagon NG.S-15 No.870.

Diagram NG.N-1 No.7-8 (diagram)

NG.N-1 as built

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NG.S-1. Two of these 3rd class coaches were also imported by the NGR for use on the Weenen branch. They were fitted with toilets in 1935/38 when the internal seating was also modified. In 1968 No.10 was fitted with a brake column, van valve, gauge and view reflectors for use on goods trains. They were scrapped by 1961.

NG.S-1 No.9-10 (diagram)

NG.S-1 as built NG.S-2. Four more 3rd class coaches, this time with toilets, were also imported by the NGR in 1907. It is not known where they for first introduced. They had minor differences to the NG.S-1 having brake wheels on the buffer beams and body brackets. It is also possible that the window spacing was different from the one side, to the other, due to the addition of the toilet. They were scrapped from 1958 to 1962.

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In 1912 a further three were built at Salt River which one can assume was for use on the Hopefield Branch. These were numbered No.90-92. In 1919 No.90 was converted to NG.L-9 and renumbered No.50 with the removal of the toilet and inward facing seats. This coach was again rebuilt to a 1st & 3rd NG.U-7/LS-10 and ending its working life on the Hankey branch. The second order were all scrapped by1973.

NG.S-2 No.11-14 and 90-92 (diagram)

Photo NG.S-2

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Photo NG.U-7-C/LS10