In order to create the best possible photographic opportunity for the many photographers who visit the Sandstone Heritage Trust in order to photograph its narrow gauge railway, we are always looking out for authentic freight configurations. Thanks to Gavin Orr from Johannesburg we were able to acquire from Eskom a number of loads of cable drums which will be restored and used as part of our next freight train configuration. Here is the load arriving at Sandstone Estates.

The School of Armour based in Bloemfontein recently used our facilities at Sandstone Estates for an Officers training course. Not only were there senior South African Officers and students on the course, but a special invitation had been extended to officers from both the Botswana Defence Force and the Zimbabwe National Defence Force. Our photographs show the group taking time off to enjoy an experience dating from another era.

These photographs were taken very close to the Lesotho border and we hope that insurgents who regularly come across the border to breach our security arrangements took note of the presence of this highly disciplined, well organised group.

The School of Armour has an excellent museum. For further details on their
activities go to: (Joanna, please insert the web site). Tel: (051)
402-1728.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit and we hope that they will come back next year.

When we got to Vailima the locomotive had to be rewatered which means lots of hands.
We were impressed with the way in which the Army Officers jumped to attention and assisted the crews to water the locomotive.

As part of our policy of looking after our buildings as well as our vintage items, we have recently restored and cleaned up the old Kommandonek fruit shed. At least the passengers of the now very infrequent tourist trains passing through the Eastern Free State will know exactly where it is.

Thanks to Len Huxham and his team for doing a great job!

The Sandstone Heritage Trust has two lattice bridges which while somewhat different to this would achieve the same objective. This bridge has long since been cut up for scrap and was originally in the Woodbank area. We have two bridges of this size but of even heavier construction. Both were manufactured over 100-years ago.

Our engineering team are being challenged to erect one of them during 2007.

For those of you who have not visited the Rand Club you need to do so if you have any interest in South Africa's heritage. Created by the Rand Lords including Cecil Rhodes, Barney Barnato and the other characters who developed South Africa's Mining industry, this club is still a magnificent structure today. While we would not want to attempt a full story on the Rand Club we do pay homage to it and we congratulate the people who worked so hard to keep it alive.

The magnificent Main Library.

The Dome still in perfect order after 100-years.

Benjamin Mole (left), Percy Montgomery, Hudson Stockl at the main bar.

This is not the main bar.