Residents lined up outside Fort Amiel Museum to watch a spectacular sight. After four years of waiting, the big day finally here, as the museum welcomed Newcastle’s industrial history.
On Monday, October 1, a massive truck carrying the steam engine, arrived with history on its trailer. Two cranes at the ready to place the juggernaut on the site.
Weighing approximately 40 tons, the enormous six-wheel side tank, built in 1938 by Hunslet Engineering of Leeds Engineering in Leeds, United Kingdom, stands proudly at the museum. The gargantuan machine, an iconic part of Newcastle’s illustrious history.
“This brings balance to our vision, going from a military museum to now showcasing Newcastle’s Industrial and Railway history,” explains Fort Amiel Museum Curator, Louis Eksteen.
The museum has a replica of Newcastle’s original train station on its premises. Made from corrugated steel, the replica hails Newcastle’s progress from a one-horse town to a flourishing secondary city.
“The railway in Newcastle started in 1899, coming from Ladysmith and changing the very face of Newcastle.”
But what makes this steam engine so special?
The gigantic beast not only represents Newcastle’s industrial history, but it was Newcastle Steel Works No:1 locomotive.
Manager of socio-economic development at ArcelorMittal Newcastle, Joe Nowbath explains ArcelorMittal is extremely pleased to be a part of this historic day. “We are proud to play a role in restoring the town’s history. It has been four years’ in the making, but it is finally here.”
Be sure to visit Fort Amiel today and learn more about Newcastle’s industrial history. Starting off as a dusty little town in NKZN and developing into a thriving, industry-driven small city.
Newcastle is now a flourishing, all thanks to the dawn of the railway lines and the dawn of the industrial era.
