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We had some interesting visitors at Sandstone when a group of seven Gyrocopter pilots from all over the country descended on Sandstone for an overnight visit. Today they will be taking a walking tour of Sandstone before flying off to another destination.

An autogyro (from Greek αὐτός and γύρος, "self-turning"), also known as a gyroplane or gyrocopter, is a type of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. Forward thrust is provided independently, typically by an engine-driven propeller. They were invented by a Spanish engineer, Juan de la Cierva in 1923 and have quite a following throughout South Africa and the world.

You can learn more about these fascinating machines on Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogyro

The restoration of Class 4AR number 1555 foe Transnet Foundation.

The locomotive and tender have now been completely stripped and the cleaning process has begun. With bitterly cold temperatures in Bloemfontein an impromptu boiler has been set up for warmth!

Work continues on the cab and its fittings with the installation of the cab surround and the window frames. The next task is to fit the regulator assembly.

The Sandstone Oxen team have reached another milestone with the inspanning of 30 Oxen during a training exercise. The initial plan was for 32 oxen but a broken yoke foiled the plan but this will happen soon. Well done to the team!

Work has now begun on the stripping and cleaning of the second locomotive for the Transnet tender at Bloemfontein. The 1913 North British built 4AR locomotive number 1555 awaits its place in the new museum at Bloemfontein after spending over 30 years in storage. As can be seen from our pictures it is much poorer condition than the NZASM “B” tank recently completed. Some damage is evident on the running boards plus serious corrosion to the cladding.

The locomotive has been separated from its tender which has been fitted with new bearings and axle box keeps and covers. The cab has been removed and our pictures show the deterioration of the cladding and the generally poor condition of 1555. Not surprising after so long in open air storage.

The locomotive continues to take shape as the brass boiler bands have now been fitted and work is well underway on completing the cab.

Sandstone’s motto is never forgotten and a recent auction at Belfast saw us put it into action with the purchase of a number of classic tractors and agricultural equipment plus a very rare and complete Marshall steam portable  and a  veteran Mercedes truck that may well have gone for scrapping

The tractors include a Massey Ferguson 35X, A Massey Harris 55 and a McCormick-Deering B450, believed to be quite rare. The items have now been moved to Sandstone as our picture shows for future restoration although some of the tractors and the Mercedes truck are believed to be in working order.

Work has progressed with this restoration with completion of the fitment of the running boards together with fitting the boiler bracing bars to the front of the smokebox and  frames. The next project is now the completion of the cab and its fittings.