News from the Sandstone Steam Railroad
A SHORT STORY!!!
Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.
Click here to see what has been happening - 2MB PDF (opens in a new window)
A SHORT STORY!!!
Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.
Click here to see what has been happening - 2MB PDF (opens in a new window)
Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News
Sandstone's 1899 Decauville has now been fully reassembled by Lukas Nel and his expert team and been painted in a very attractive maroon livery lined in grey/white. It just awaits its replica worksplates and name plates before returning to Sandstone's rail system for commissioning. The accompanying photographs show the amazing attention to detail that has gone into the restoration which has been completed in a period of about six months. Lukas and his team deserve many congratulations for turning the rusty hulk they received into the pristine locomotive that has resulted, the only working example of the Decauville Type 1 in the world.
MAKING HISTORY!!!
Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.
Click here to see what has been happening this week - 3MB PDF (opens in a new window)
Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News
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Updated - 15th May 2006
The final example of the “triplets”, number 13 is in similar condition to number 11. When numbers 11 and 14 were shipped from Marromeu, number 13 was left behind as its position behind a container stack and surrounded by piles of other machinery precluded its easy removal and it remains at Marromeu. With sugar production and shipment taking all available space on the Sena barges to Beira, it is hoped that number 13 will be able to be removed by road in the not too distant future as the road system is upgraded. Although there is road access to Beira and Caia where the road to Sena branches off, the hilly nature of this final section precludes the use of the required low bed at this stage.
Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News
<< Back to Locomotive information and galleries
Updated - 15th May 2006
This interesting small locomotive was originally built for 15” gauge operation but was converted to 2 ft sometime during its lifetime. Little is known about its history and it is the subject of ongoing research. It was purchased by Sandstone from Ratanga Junction after their original steam hauled rail project was abandoned. It is currently undergoing restoration at the Hoekfontein workshops. When in service a number of small coaches will be constructed to fit its small profile.
Sandstone Heritage Trust - Rail News
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This trolley is of the open type and often referred to as a “ganger’s trolley” as it was used by permanent way staff to access areas needing attention. It has been quite extensively rebuilt as it was in derelict condition when acquired. It is now fitted with a Toyota 2 litre diesel engine and gearbox. The drive to the rear axle is fitted with a reverse mechanism so that the unit has the same number of gears while travelling forwards or in reverse. The workshop staff at Hoekfontein use it for line inspections.
BEHIND THE STEAM SCENES
Gert Jubileus has submitted his latest weekly report.
Click here to see what has been happening this week - 3MB PDF (opens in a new window)
STEAM REFLECTIONS!!!
Gert Jubileus has submitted his weekly report.
Click here to see what has been happening this week - 2MB PDF (opens in a new window)
More DZ's arrive from Port Elizabeth
The extended Transnet strike prevented us from completing the logistical programme of bringing back wagons from Port Elizabeth which we purchased on a scrap tender. Wagons will join the restoration queue.
Sandstone's Lawley on the Avontuur Line
Sandstone Estates Lawley, No.106, was shipped to Port Elizabeth at short notice to supplement the NG15 trip arranged by the Apple Express for Geoff's Trains Ltd tour from the UK. While there were various limitations as to what the Lawley could do it was nonetheless good to see it back on the Narrow Gauge where they had operated over 100-years ago.
Our thanks go to David Benn for these photographs.
THE LAWLEY STEAMING AHEAD OF THE APPLE!
Just after the Cooke Tour at Sandstone Estates we loaded our Lawley for a journey down to Port Elizabeth to run ahead of the Apple Express Train.
Click here to view the full report – 2MB PDF (opens in a new window)
The Geoff's Trains tour has been and gone from Sandstone and the first photographs are now coming in.
Gert Jubileus has completed his weekly report which covers the event in detail.
THE FINAL COUNT DOWN!!!
It is the final countdown and the heat is on to repair and prepare for the forthcoming Cooke tour next week.
Click here to view the report - 1MB PDF (opens in a new window)
FREEZING STEAM
The winter is slowly moving its hands over the beautiful Eastern Free State and the worst is still to come with temperatures well below zero. This is the best time for Steam photography and therefore we now are preparing for the forthcoming Geoff Cooke tour.
Click here to view the latest weekly report from Gert Jubileus - 3MB PDF (opens in a new window)
The Sandstone Heritage Trust always follows up regularly with regard to locomotives that have been supplied to third parties within the Preservation community.
We are pleased to advise that the locomotives at Century City are being well looked after and are in good condition. A constant maintenance regime is very important bearing in mind the fact that they are based in a coastal environment. We applaud the Century City management for their care and attention to these items.