We have had many comments about the state of the R26 road leading to Sandstone Estates and roads in the surrounding area. It seems now that the DA has got a commitment for the Free State Government to undertake an upgrade of the R26 from Bethlehem to Ladybrand. We hope this is not just electioneering for the next General election in South Africa!
The new Sandstone book- The Sandstone Steam Railway-the story continues -has received a great review in the influential Heritage Railway magazine in the UK. We have also received a number of very positive comments from around the world.
“I have just returned home from London to find a parcel with the Sandstone Book inside.
What a magnificent publication.
It records your wonderful achievement so succinctly and I have no doubt will sell very well.”
Julian Birley BEM
“Thank you so much for the copy of your book The Sandstone Steam Railway. I appreciate your thinking of me. The publication is fantastic and I love the tag line “The Story Continues”. You have created a never ending story that will bless people for many future generations. I also must say that I am so honored to have my letter included about true preservationists. You are the example for all of us to follow. Reading your book makes it clear that things don’t happen just by accident. You can call it an act of God, a divine purpose, or maybe even fate that you were at the right spot, at the right time, meeting the right people that Sandstone became a reality. And…….it was hard work, courage, and perseverance by you, Wilf, that created this treasure to be preserved for our World’s heritage. We all owe you much gratitude”.
Al Harper, Durango and Silverton Railroad
“Thank you so much for your new book, this demonstrates to the whole world what you hand your team have achieved.
It is a truly remarkable achievement that Sandstone has done to save for future generations all of these locomotives etc from the African continent. Well done to you all”.
Graham Lee, Statfold Barn Railway
“The book has just arrived and from an initial 'flick through' I can certainly see why it has had a gestation period of four years or so. So much more than 'just another railway book', this has a real story to tell. It is relatively easy to throw together picture books with captions (I should know although my captions are, in my defence, longer and more detailed than most) but this book is really different. I know that a lot of the detail of the early history of Sandstone and negotiations with the Authorities will be quite new to me.
By the way I think it was definitely the right decision to include coverage of the non-railway activities. Makes the whole thing complete and it is a rare visitor who only takes an interest in 'the railway'.
Well done, I look forward to many pleasant hours with this book”.
Thanks again”
Dennis Moore, Railway photographer and author
The book: The first word that comes to mind is – MAGNIFICENT!!
My copy which arrived in the mail yesterday, is a very welcome addition to my library. I shall enjoy reading through it with much pleasure.
At first glance, I’m very impressed with the make-up of the book – having separate chapters covering the Sandstone Collection etc. The spread of photographs is also superb!
Thank you all for getting a copy out to me here Down Under!
Congrats to you for a beautiful piece of work!
Les Pivnic-Australia (retired Curator, SAR Museum)
I received the new book this morning, after a quick scan through the book I wish to congratulate you and your team for an excellent publication. In my humble opinion, excellently compiled, written and illustrated. Magnificent photos! I will spend many hours poring over the contents but suffice to say for now: Well Done!
Brigadier General (Ret) André Retief
Heritage Railway magazine,
John Titlow
- Click here for the full review
Vintage Spirit Magazine.
The UK magazine, Vintage Spirit, features the forthcoming Cherry Festival event at Sandstone in its latest issue by Peter Brockington who visited our Stars of Sandstone 2019 event. Also featured is a review of the new book on Sandstone, The Sandstone Steam railway-the story continues. Click here and enjoy the read
Old Glory Magazine
Peter Love
Click here for the full review
Make a date in your diary for our next event. The Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival from Friday 7th April to Monday 10th April 2023. We shall be running a longer section of the Sandstone Steam Railway to Vailima Siding with a variety of locomotives for a longer round trip. We shall also be offering flips in a vintage aircraft during the weekend as well as our other attractions, the Sandstone Oxen, Military Vehicles, Vintage tractors, Cars and Buses plus full catering at the Waenhuis Restaurant.
Easter is also the time when our Cosmos will be in full bloom! Enjoy our photo gallery!
Self-catering and campsite accommodation is available. For more details and bookings contact Mariette on 064 752 3852 or via the "Contact Us" tab on our website. www.sandstone-estates.com
Sandstone-Simply Unforgettable!
Mark and Gary Ruddy are from our railway support team and hail from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. In between their hard work for Sandstone they captured a number of short video clips of the recent Cherry Festival. Enjoy the show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm675BgfeVs
Gerhard Van Der Gryp was one of our volunteer team for the Military Vehicles action at the recent Chery festival. His wife , Marie, was left to her own devices for a while and put together a video scrapbook of short clips of the weekend happenings. Enjoy the show!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIjtzGmsj5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1zrGuIY6EQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAR0vMOKlEA
Leon Hugo is a professional photographer based in Gqeberha. You will remember his excellent pictures from the rather wet 2022 Easter Festival but Leon had visited us before. Here is a small selection of some quite different images of the Sandstone Steam Railway and its locomotives to enjoy.
You can contact Leon on 
Go Trip Tours, run by Caro Meiring, brought two separate groups of visitors to Sandstone Estates just before the Cherry Steam Festival on the 18th November. Both groups enjoyed a train ride and a tour of all the Heritage Collection. They had a wonderful time and were extremely complimentary about their experience at Sandstone. Caro Meiring tells the tale of two visits!
Go Trip delivers a professional service for unique travels throughout Southern Africa and was founded in 2021. We really love what we do and it shows in the intense passion we have for people. We work with a network of amazing establishments, excursion enthusiasts, transport companies and extraordinary guides to create a perfect getaway.
Gawie van Schalkwyk, from Voetspore Tours, brought a group of 19 tourists to the Cherry Steam Festival on Saturday 19th November who enjoyed immensely their day with us. Gawie sent us a picture gallery from the day plus a short video of the train arriving at Hoekfontein to end the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90KOTdhrULY
