General News

Details: Last Updated: 21 March 2023

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The Round Table and the Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival.

A great deal of preparation goes into making a Sandstone event a success and we are proud to partner with Round Table 98 of Ficksburg for our upcoming Easter event. The Round Table Organisation was formed in 1927 in the UK and opened in South Africa in 1948. There are now 239 Round Tables in South Africa and Namibia. The organisation is well known for its charity work and Round Table 98 in Ficksburg is no exception. They will operate the bar facilities for the Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival. Through these bar sales, Round Table 98 raises a large amount of money for local charities. Sandstone takes great pleasure in the cooperation with Round Table 98 for the Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival and the charitable work that will be achieved from the partnership.

Details: Last Updated: 08 March 2023

The beauty around us at Sandstone.
Some wonderful images at sunset at the Hippo Dam. The dam wall is currently being widened, after some flood damage, as it is part of the Seb’s Railway system at Sandstone.

Imagine a 100 year old tank engine chugging along the dam wall , let’s open our eyes to the beauty of nature which is all around us.

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Details: Last Updated: 03 March 2023

Sandstone Volunteer

The Sandstone Volunteers Association

Over the years since Sandstone’s first event , The Great 100 in 1999, we have had many volunteers assist us with restorations and operations, more often in events but not always. We are drawing all the volunteers together in The Sandstone Volunteers Association and have recently mailed those for whom we have current contact details but we are sure we have missed someone. Our first Newsletter is on our website together with an introductory letter. Click her to see it.

There is no need to join our association, just let us who you are and what you have assisted with or would like to assist us with. We have also included a list of some of our volunteers for whom we have no current email contacts. If you know someone one the list, please let us know! We know our recent mailer will have missed someone!
Click the links below for more info:
Introductory letter
Newsletter
Prospective List

Details: Last Updated: 17 February 2023

Banner MESA

Sandstone Heritage Museum is a member of the South African Museums Association and has been invited to post their information on the Museum Explorer SA website which features all the major museums in South Africa. Their goal is to help visitors and museum enthusiasts find the most fascinating museums in South Africa and Sandstone is proud to be part of the web site. We have added the Museum Explorer web site to our Home Page in the left hand column.

Click here to see our post : https://museumexplorer.co.za/sandstone-heritage-museum/

Details: Last Updated: 27 September 2018

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Open Days at The Cherry Festival. Friday 16th and Saturday 17th November 2018.

November is Cherry Festival time in Ficksburg . To celebrate The Cherry Festival Sandstone will be holding Open Days on Friday 16th November and Saturday 17th November coinciding with this classic event.

Train rides from Hoekfontein to Vailima Siding will operate at 10h00, 12h00, 14h00 and 16h00. Other attractions will be Ox Wagon rides and Military Vehicle rides while the famous Sandstone Heritage Collection will be open to view. Refreshments will be on sale with the Sandstone Shop open for memorabilia.
Entrance is R200 for adults and R125 for under 12’s which includes one train trip. Booking is essential and it will be a day not to be missed. Contact Leigh Sanders or Alina Halafu on 051 933 2235 or e mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We look forward to seeing you there.

Details: Last Updated: 09 March 2018

The Rabies Rally is an annual motorcycle event for professional people. This year their base was the Fouriesburg Country Inn and the rallyists visited Sandstone as part of the event over the last weekend. A good time was definitely had by all! The visitors enjoyed a tour of the Sandstone Collection, a steam train ride behind NG4 number 16 and an excellent lunch. Our pictures tell the story.

Some of the comments in the Visitors Book

“Groot waardering vir puik instandhouding”

“Fantastic Michael is great”

“Brilliant as usual! Even better” (Jan Smit)

“Magnificent”

“Wonderful experience”

“Amazing beyond”

Jan Smit from the organisers sent us the following thankyou mail.

Dear Leigh and Management of Sandstone Estates

We want to make use of this opportunity to thank you sincerely for receiving us and spoiling us at your venue on 3 March 2018.

We have received numerous positive feedback from all the riders and wish to thank you for the way in which you promote our wonderful province and our history, especially in respect of the steam trains.

We wish you all the best in future.

Kind regards

Jan Smit

Why not visit Sandstone for your next event or weekend away? Contact Leigh Sanders on 051 933 2235 or e mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We would love to host you!