Trains magazine offers railroad news, railroad industry insight, commentary on todays freight railroads, passenger service amtrak, locomotive technology, railroad preservation and history, railfan opportunities tourist railroads, fan trips, and great railroad photography. The class 26, popularly known as the red devil, is a 484 steam locomotive that had been rebuilt from a class 25nc locomotive, by mechanical engineer david wardale from england, who was working for the south african railways. A south african class 25 steam locomotive at hartswater, cape. General information for south african class 26 484 locomotive. In 1998, in his book the red devil and other tales from the age of steam, david wardale put forward the concept of a highspeed highefficiency super class 5 460 locomotive for future steam haulage of tour trains on british main lines. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam by david wardale published by the author at pounds sterling 2795. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam by david wardale. Has anyone seen copies of david wardales the red devil and other tales from the age of steam for sale lately. The rebuilding, performed at the salt river works in cape town, south africa, was based on the works of the argentinian mechanical engineer l. May 27, 2018 the red devil is a main line locomotive, therefore not of much use on branch lines or twisting and turning tracks. For those that think modern steam has no relevance to them it is equally as essential reading. The south african railways class 26 484 of 1981, popularly known as the red devil, is a 484 steam locomotive which was rebuilt from a class 25nc locomotive by mechanical engineer david wardale from england while in the employ of the south african railways.
Later on in the book he covers the ace project, and work in china. Between 1973 and 1980, all but three of the condensing locomotives were converted to. He wrote a book about it and his other efforts to improve steam called oddly enough the red devil. Red devil and other tales from the age of steam by wardale, david at.
A study of the authors development work on steam locomotives and the 25nc class in particular, on the south african railways. Red devil reprint updated 18 january 2014 following negotiations between chris newman 5at webmaster, david wardale and adam harris, camden miniature steam is offering a new printrun of the book for sale. Grubb, chief mechanical engineer of the sar from 1949 to 1954, in conjunction with henschel and son of kassel in germany who designed the condensing apparatus and the condensing tender of the class 25 sister locomotive. In undertaking these modifications, wardale put into practice the principles of modern steam developed by the argentinean engineer livio dante porta. Wardales classic book the red devil has been reprinted, contact publisher camden miniature as it is no longer on their website 25th august 2015 check out martyn banes modern steam gallery.
The red devil is a main line locomotive, therefore not of much use on branch lines or twisting and turning tracks. I am no engineer and cannot comment on the technical side of what is being done, but i can highlight areas of progress. As his book reveals see below, wardale spent a very frustrating time. The 484 wheel arrangement was a progression from the 482 mountain type and, like the 284 berkshire and 464 hudson types, an example of the super power concept in steam locomotive design that made use of the larger firebox that could be supported by a fourwheel trailing truck, which allowed greater production of steam. The book was originally published by wardale himself, who produced a total of 2600 copies, in the first printing, 600 in the second and in the third. Probably the most advanced steam locomotive running in the world.
This article first appeared in issue 963 of railway magazine, july 1981. Wardale started with an sar class 25nc 484 locomotive, no. It is, perhaps, not to difficult to guess the real identity of writer rooinek. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam camden. South african railways sar class 26 number 3450 nicknamed the red devil, is the product of mechanical engineer david wardales 1981 rebuilding of a class 25nc 484 steam locomotive. Wardate, upgraded 2 locomotives while working with the sar south african railroad. Red devil run heritage railway trip from cape town to. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam. Red boards, slight twist to spine, a vg copy in a dustwrapper. But only a test was build, and the engine was quickly withdraw from service and abandoned.
The devil and his sisters featuring the red devil no. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam on. Wanting the locomotive to create an impression with the general public and in strict contravention of sar policies, wardale painted his locomotive buffer beam red. In 1998, in his book the red devil and other tales from the age of steam, 95 david wardale put forward the concept of a high speed, high efficiency super class 5 460 locomotive for future steam haulage of tour trains on british main lines. Between 1953 and 1955, the south african railways placed fifty class 25nc steam locomotives with a 484 northern type wheel arrangement in service. Buy the red devil and other tales from the age of steam 2nd edition by wardale, david isbn. Porta developed a steam locomotive, with a nearly unbelievable performance. During its peak, the red devil had a maximum power output of 5030 hp at 100kmh.
Wardale got the same task in south africa and build the red devil. Buy red devil and other tales from the age of steam 1st by wardale, david isbn. Should be david wardales the red devil and other tales. The red devil has been reprinted, contact publisher camden miniature as it is no longer on their website 25th august 2015. From its initial mention in wardales book, the concept was elaborated upon in the septemberoctober 2000 issue of the magazine locomotives international. The red devil is a class 26 locomotive which was rebuilt from a class 25nc in 1979, with the class 25nc originally being manufactured in 1953. Jul 21, 2016 south african railways sar class 26 number 3450 nicknamed the red devil, is the product of mechanical engineer david wardales 1981 rebuilding of a class 25nc 484 steam locomotive. Morning, following the discussion of the coal loader at leadville, as it was touched on in the excellent coal chute thread, i. It was nearly the case that red devil, 3450 came to port shepstone for remodification to original 26 class. Also note directly in front of her is a 25nc that was converted from a 25c condenser version since it has the extremely long tender behind it.
The red devil has a 484 northerntype wheel arrangement. Rather too much hand held camera and excessive wind noise, but hey ho, its amateur video. David wardals book red devil and other tales from the age of steam is also a must read. Morning, following the discussion of the coal loader at leadville, as it was touched on in the excellent coal chute thread, i went back through my. The south african railways class 26 484 of 1981, popularly known as the red devil, is a 484 steam locomotive.
State of the art steam locomotive technology from the 1970s. On weekends as per advertised dates, ceres rail company will be offering a day trip to the elgin railway market. Locomotives shown in action frequently exhibit long steam and smoke trails. In the concluding chapter of his iconic book the red devil and other tales from the age of steam, wardale speculated on what a modernised version of the humble br standard class 5 460.
The red devil and other tales from the age of steam abebooks. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Wardale and his involvement with south african railways in the 1970s, an american attempt in the early 1980s to build a state of the art steam locomotive, and finally in china at the datong locomotive factory. The rebuilding took place at the salt river works in cape town and was based on the principles developed by argentinian mechanical. The book was originally published by wardale himself, who produced a total of 2600 copies, in the first printing, 600 in. South africas 484 red devil steams again trains magazine.
Train trip, a complimentary glass of jail break wine, grape stomping competition, 10% off any jail break wine purchase and a discount on breedemeat co. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam by d. She was designed to run on the wideopen stretches of the karoo. R850 per adult r500 per child infants under 2 free duration. Red devil and other tales from the age of steam dave wardale on. The core of this book is david wardales recounting of his work in south africa during the late 1970s the 1980s, which led to the conversion of a 25nc 484 into the locomotive which became known as the red devil one of a trio of locomotives which were the worlds most efficient and powerful on a weight to power output basis. He gives a detailed describtion of the problems he faced, and a very detailed technical look the the problems. In those preinternet days nobody had told us about. The 5at advanced technology steam locomotive is a conceptual design conceived by the british engineer david wardale, and first described in his definitive work on modern steam, the red devil and. Theres an interesting story of how he advanced steam technology if one cares to do a bit of research. The rebuilding took place at the salt river works in cape town and was based on the. The conversion and following testing of red devil is described in davids book the red devil and other tales from the age of steam and is a must read for anyone who is interested in the design of modern steam locomotives. Wardales book is a must read for any serious enthusiast, if not for the story, read it for the truth.
This engine was an experiment in 5at advanced technology steam locomotive by the british engineer david wardale. The red devil and other tales from the age of steam is quite possibly the single most important book ever written on the steam locomotive. The is the ultimate book on steam locomotives, for modern times. First mentioned wistfully in his book the red devil, what began as seemingly idle speculation by mr. Red devil and other tales from the age of steam abebooks. Jun 03, 2015 the 5at fundamental design calculations posted by paul milenkovic on wednesday, june 3, 2015 11. Should be david wardales the red devil and other tales from the age of steam. Its been out of print for a while, but abebooks seems to have a. So wardales bool describes his way to south africa, and his task on making the steam more efficient. The 5at fundamental design calculations posted by paul milenkovic on wednesday, june 3, 2015 11.
Advanced steam news coalition for sustainable rail. The mighty red devil makes its return to the rails a. The red devil is the iconic nickname that was given to sar class 25nc no 3450 after david wardale rebuilt it to become the sole member of class 26 in 1981. Modifications in mainline steam the red devil coalition. South africas red devil rooinek describes extensive modifications to improve performance of a south african railways class 25nc 484 steam locomotive. The red devil and other tales of the age of steam by david wardale has deservedly become a classic since its first publication in 1998. May 26, 2019 in 1998, in his book the red devil and other tales from the age of steam, david wardale put forward the concept of a highspeed highefficiency super class 5 460 locomotive for future steam haulage of tour trains on british main lines. The long explanation can be found in david wardales book on the subject, the red devil and other tales from the age of steam. Apr 28, 2016 south african railways sar class 26 number 3450 nicknamed the red devil, is the product of mechanical engineer david wardales 1981 rebuilding of a class 25nc 484 steam locomotive. Modern steam locomotive developments steam locomotives may be dead in the water as far as virtually every railway administration in the world is concerned, but a few dedicated individuals are still working on developments. The class 25nc noncondensing and class 25 condensing 484 northern type steam locomotives were designed by the south african railways sar under the direction of l. Wardale grew into a fullblown, serious project to design and build a new steam locomotive.
A south african class 25 steam locomotive at hartswater. At its core is davids telling of his work in south africa during the late 1970s and 1980s which led to the conversion of a 25nc 484 into the locomotive which became known as the red devil and was in a very small group of locomotives which were the worlds most efficient and powerful, on a weight to power output basis. However, by bringing her back into service as a beacon of steam heritage in south africa, she will be used in a way that she can earn her keep. Wellknown south african steam locomotive class 26 no. The 5at fundamental design calculations trains magazine. Steam locomotive project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Steam locomotive pjs tractors devil south africa trains smoking african birthday sar red devil and class 25 condenser 1986. The class 25nc was the noncondensing version of the class 25 condensing locomotive, of which ninety were placed in service at the same time. For anyone with an interest in modern steam this book is absolutely essential reading. Jul 08, 2018 correct, if you can get hold of the book the red devil and other tales from the age of steam by david wardale you can read about the trials and tribulations associated with this loco and others encountered with the rebuilding. Better known as the red devil because of its bright paint job, this 484 showed that.
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