South African Tourism is a Government initiative to promote tourism to South Africa for business or pleasure and is very active in many centres around the world. A number of film productions are done each year to promote South Africa and Sandstone estates was chosen as one of the locations for a current production. Shooting took place  over one day and featured a family ( film extras) on a visit to Sandstone where they experienced a steam train ride, an ox wagon plus a donkey cart ride. All of these are part of the “Sandstone Experience” that visitors to the Estate can enjoy on any visit.

Photographer, Hinrich Brummer, sent us a selection of photographs taken during the recent FarRail Tour to Sandstone in early July. Featured locomotives are NGG13 number 49, NGG16 number 113 and NG15, “Kalahari” number 17.

International Tour to Sandstone in 2024.

After the success of the recent FarRail International Rail Tour to South Africa, which included Sandstone, we are pleased to announce a tour from the UK to Sandstone has been announced by David Williams for May 2024. Although an International based tour, South African participants are welcome and should contact the organiser, David Williams, via the address details on the information sheet below.
Click here for further information.

One of the joys of Sandstone is when young school children visit us and see what life was like in the past. Recently 51 pupils from the Maseru Preparatory School, under the Leadership of teacher Margaret Matlole and four other teachers, visited us for a morning. The children were shown the Steam Railway depot and Road Steam shed with its trucks and buses. The highlight was a ride on an Ox wagon and the Donkey cart after which all the children and teachers settled down for a picnic before their return to Maseru. Our picture gallery tells the story. Pictures taken with permission

Shortly after our Easter Steam event we were saddened to hear of the passing of Gavin Brown. Gavin was the driving force behind Classic Flying Collection who have partnered with Sandstone on many events since 2014. Their vintage aircraft collection of Tiger Moths, Stampe and Chipmunks have given many hours of flying pleasure to visitors to Sandstone. Gavin had been unwell for some time but did visit our Easter event. With his illness, his son Steve organised Classic Flying Collection to visit at Easter and also at last November’s Cherry Festival. Sadly the Cherry visit did not happen as the inclement weather made Sandstone unsuitable for flying over that event. We will remember Gavin with affection and his efforts in promoting classic flying and his enthusiasm for our Sandstone events. Our thoughts are with his sons Steve and Kyle and Gavin’s partner, Rose for their loss.

Seb’s Children’s Railway with a new dimension!

At our recent Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival, our smaller children’s railway was reopened after repair to the Hippo Dam Wall over which the line runs. The line is now enclosed within our new Game Camp and has been renamed in 2023 as Seb’s Children’s Railway. Imagine a sundowner trip viewing game by rail in the beautiful eastern Free State!

Click here to read the article and view the locomotives for the line.

An exciting photographic event at Sandstone with Stimela Photographic Events! August 5^th & 6^th 2023.

Stimela Photographic Events (SPE), in collaboration with Sandstone Heritage Trust, presents The Maluti Wanderer. On the weekend of 5 to 6 August 2023 SPE have chartered two Lawley 4-4-0 locomotives (NG97 and BR7) and a consist of wagons to recreate spectacular scenes of yesteryear and narrow-gauge operations. Truly an adventure not to be missed by photographers nor rail enthusiasts!

For further details and bookings download the PDF with the booking form or  contact Stimela Photographic Events by e mail on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Aubrey Malden visited our Easter Event and sent us this short photo gallery or all to enjoy.

Our next event!

The Cherry Steam Festival. Friday 17^th November to Sunday 19^th November 2023.

After a very successful Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival we are pleased to announce that our next event for 2023 will be The Cherry Steam Festival.  We will keep you posted on the information and attractions for this event through our web site and Face Book pages.  Diarise the dates now! Friday 17^th November to Sunday 19^th November 2023.

Some great coverage of the recent Sandstone Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival in the Free State’s own newspaper, Volskblad.

Click here to read the PDF :
Part 1
Part 2