The jewel of the Sandstone 2ft Narrow gauge collection is, without doubt, the small Decauville 0-4-0T locomotive, works number 302, built in 1899 in France. Since its discovery at the Dombe Grande sugar estate in Benguela Province, Angola, in 2003 we have believed the name to be “BATHALA”. Some research by railway historian, John Middleton has unearthed the attached picture of the locomotive at the Dombe Grande Museum in 1970 where Sandstone ultimately found it some 33 years later.

As there is no official Cherry Festival in 2023 we have given our November 2023 event a new name-“The Sandstone Summer Steam Festival”. You can see full details in either English or Afrikaans by clicking on the link to the pdf below. We look forward to welcoming you at Sandstone, 17th to 19th November 2023!

Click here to read more

Ox Power!
In 2018 we inspanned 36 Oxen at Sandstone, which we believe to be a world record. As regular readers of our web site we thought you would enjoy seeing this fascinating video again which gives an excellent insight into the Oxen, managing them and the people who manage them. Enjoy the show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3510ZcGJc