HTN 23 - Sandstone’s steam programme extends way beyond locomotives
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
This is a comprehensive cross-section of traction engines, steam rollers and agricultural portable engines
Traction Engines
HTN 102 - Work commences on the restoration of 1910 McLaren Traction Engine
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
7th June 2006
Keith Stevens, who has been working for the Sandstone Heritage Trust for many years as a subcontractor, has started work on the McLaren Traction Engine. The engine was located in the Nelspruit area approxmiately a year ago. There are virtually no working traction engines in South Africa.
HTN 105 - 1901 Fowler B5 Crane Engine
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
8th June 2006
Picture by David Benn.
Featured without the boom in the wide open spaces of Sandstone Estates in the Eastern Free State.
HTN 109 - Information on Old Fowler Steam Engine Uncovered
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
12th June 2006
Recently a scrap of an old newspaper was discovered in Robertson, with a picture of a Steam Engine at the top:
HTN 133 - ""Grumpy old men"
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 134 - ""Grumpy old men"
1st September 2006
While many of the individuals who restore and drive our traction engines and related items fall into the category of "grumpy old men" we have exceptions. One of these is Shawn Spaan who is a regular visitor to Sandstone Estates. This is what he has to say about himself:
"Eversince I was very young, steam engines, whether trains or traction, have fasinated me. I spent many a Sunday, after cycling about 28kms at Roodepoort miniture steam train club eventually getting my miniture train licence to take people aroung the club. This has been my 4th visit to Sandstone Estate, this time bringing my own traction engine a 3" scale Allchin , called Thor NU7483 - to be part of the show. I love being involved with these magnificent machines that bring a taste of the old-world into my young 21 years of life. I will keep up with being involved so that the next generation will have the chance to experience the joy of precision and energy these engines give." - Shawn Spaan
Around the world in heritage circles the older generation are always highly appreciative of people who are not only interested in what they do but also technically competent to participate. Shawn is extremely knowledgable and has built his own scale model traction engine which is illustrated in the photograph below.
HTN 155 - Out with the new and in with the old
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
14th November 2006
One of the things that we are very proud of at the Sandstone Heritage Trust is the fact that our own machinery was used to complete most of the earthworks. Here is a picture of our Fowler Roller, No. 19543, dating back to 1935. We often use our steam rollers to consolidate earthworks. The Bell B20B Dump Truck has been sold and replaced by a 1939 Scammell.
We are proud of the fact that we never have to bring in machinery from outside to complete any earthmoving job at Sandstone Estates simply because somewhere in our heritage collection is a machine that will do the job.
Greens Roller
Heritage - News
4 October 2007
Back in 1997, Phil Braithwaite, a good friend of the Sandstone Heritage Trust and someone who had been a regular contributor to our events, located and purchased a rare Greens Compound Roller.
For those interested in these wonderful majestic old machines Phil (now resident in the UK) has submitted a detailed report on its history. The Roller has just arrived at the Statfold Barn Railway where Graham Lee and his outstanding team of professionals will be assisting in preparing it for a few years on the UK rally scene.
For further details contact Phil Braithwaite - please
