Sandstone has agreed with South Africa's top model makers to host a special section on their web site which would concentrate on areas of interest for railway locomotive model makers worldwide. The idea was proposed by Andries Keyser, whose introduction features below.
One of our most steadfast supporters over the years and someone who has been of immense assistance to model makers around the world with respect to the provision of technical information is Hannes Paling. As a summary to the outstanding contributions that Hannes has made and continues to make he has prepared this introductory statement for us:
Since the start of the industrial revolution man has created many types of machines, the steam locomotive was one of these. The steam locomotive has held a special fascination to young and old for more than a century. With the withdrawal of the steam locomotive from active service a vacuum was formed which was ably filled by the Sandstone Heritage Trust's Unique collection in this country, especially narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock. It has from the smallest locomotive, a Decauville type 1, which is the only working example in the world, two examples of Lawleys with a rich history spanning more than a hundred years each, again the only working examples in the world and narrow gauge super power in the form of the NG15 and various Garratt classes, which don't need a introduction, with a good spread in between from all major manufacturers world wide.
Sandstone narrow gauge railway and website has been a inspiration to many model builders around the world, examples of Sandstone engines are built in Australia, the UK, the States, Europe, Germany and of course South Africa, from small H0 gauge models to one third size working models are built. Many of the models built in other countries were inspired by photo's on the Sandstone website.
To all model builders around the world, please let us have pictures of your work, perhaps we could share some of our experiences.
Best regards,
Hannes Paling
Please direct all queries, contributions and questions to
By Andries Keyser
Back in the day, way way before my time, there once was a miniature railway that ran along the Durban Beachfront. The story is a complete mystery to me and many others, however in my collection of old pictures I have found some brilliant images depicting these steam engines running along the esplanade.
Written by Anthony Norval
By Charles Polkey
Hi all,
Saturday 22nd May 2010 was the day we decided to raise steam on the traction engine. The machine was picked up from our cottage by Martin and Andries and taken to the PMES grounds.
I was very interested to read that “Miss Brakpan” is now in the caring hands of The Sandstone Steam railway. I well remember this engine and its train that used to run on a track at “Jan Smuts Dam in Brakpan. In fact it would have been hard not to remember it as almost every Sunday afternoon it would run and bring pleasure to the many children and their parents who visited the dam.
