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Sandstone Estates in the Eastern Free State of South Africa operates one of the largest collections of Narrow Gauge locomotives in the world. By public request we from time-to-time open our railway to the public and this we will be doing between 9th and 13th April 2008. Up to 10 different Narrow Gauge engines will be steamed throughout the Festival with visitors and enthusiasts being given an opportunity to familiarise themselves with not only the railway but all aspects of the Sandstone Heritage Trust preservation programme. Regular guided tours will be held of all items in our collection. A special highlight will be the Reefsteamers steam hauled passenger train from Johannesburg which will provide an opportunity for visitors to see some of South Africa's biggest steam locomotives in operation on the Eastern Free State line. Download the full newsletter as a single PDF document...
Issued by: Sandstone Estates (Pty) Ltd Attention: News Editors For immediate release: 13 February 2008 THE SANDSTONE STEAM AND COSMOS FESTIVAL. Sandstone Estates situated near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State will be opening its doors for its annual Steam and Cosmos Festival from the 9th to the 13th April 2008. The Estate is home to the Sandstone Heritage Trust collection of Agricultural exhibits, Classic Military vehicles and Transport Collection as well as the world renowned 2 ft gauge Sandstone Steam Railway. All will be contrasted against an expected display of Cosmos all over the Estate. A full programme of narrow gauge action will be offered on the railway. Up to 15 different locomotives will be operating during the Festival including three recently restored examples, Kerr Stuart no: 4063 built in1924, originally Illovo Sugar Estates No:3: O&K no 2510, built 1907 which originally operated at Huletts Sugar in Kwa Zulu Natal but will be remembered by many as being plinthed outside the old Train Restaurant in Midrand. The third locomotive is the ex Beira Railway "Lawley" No: BR25 which is reunited with its sister loco BR7 for the first time in over 50 years. These two historic locomotives will be double headed during the weekend. For modern traction enthusiasts Sandstone will unveil its recently restored 230hp Bagnall Diesel locomotive originally supplied to Rustenburg Platinum Mines in 1961. The Steam and Cosmos Festival will not just confine visitors to trains and flowers. The Sandstone Classic Military Vehicle collection will be on display and giving demonstrations. A highlight of the weekend will be the launch of the restored Sherman tank of World War 2 vintage which will be on display and demonstrated throughout the weekend. To add more excitement the Sandstone transport and agricultural collection will be open to visitors so everyone is promised a weekend of heritage excitement and nostalgia. Catering and refreshments will be available throughout the Festival. Pricing: Wednesday 9th April
R25 per person An all inclusive ticket for the full event will be offered at R175 per person. Bookings: Contact Hester Papenfus on e-mail hesterp@sandstone.co.za Michael Myers Sandstone Estates (Pty) Ltd Telephone: (011) 805 4692 Facsimile: 0866 148 453 Vintage
aircraft join Cosmos Classic Heritage line up... An excellent selection of aircraft are likely to be flying at Sandstone during Cosmos 08. The list includes: Two
Tiger Moths Dave Hartman has sent this superb picture of their Chipmunk and Tiger taken over Sandstone during the last Cosmos Festival 2 years ago. The pic was taken by Steve Allison.They will be back in 2008.
Martiens & Wendy Steyn have sent the following
link to a Photo of their Tiger Moth which will be at the 2008 Cosmos fees.
Johan Mouton has supplied a photograph and details of his Cosmos entry Vliegtuig
: 1947 Luscombe Silvair 8 E Opmerking:
Eerste siviele vliegtuig na die tweede węreld oorlog gebou wat ‘n
totale metaalkonstruksie gehad het.
For
the younger generation at the Cosmos event...
Classic Military vehicles line up to attend Cosmos 2008... In association with the School of Armour Museum in Bloemfontein expect the biggest line up of Military vehicles ever seen at Sandstone, with some real surprises in store as well.
Agricultural machinery enthusiasts gather at the Cosmos Festival....
We
have received dozens of e-mails from enthusiasts who are keen to
use their technical ability to add vintage tractors and other old
items to the line-up of machinery that will be operating and on
parade during the Cosmos Festival.
If
you are a volunteer with sound mechanical experience and you love
old machinery give Hester a ring on Tel: 051933 2235 or
preferably send her an e-mail at hesterp@sandstone.co.za.
Please express your preference for the type of tractor, machine,
car, truck, bus, whatever that you would like to take charge of
while you are at the show.
The
Sandstone Heritage Trust has an open policy of working with
professionals who understand old machinery to make sure that they
form partnerships at a show like the Cosmos Festival. This
benefits the public, the guys enjoy it, and there is no question
that it puts a smile on the face of the old machines.
You know it's COSMOS time when the old 1955 CATERPILLAR grader rolls out to improve the farm roads...53 yrs old and still as robust as ever...
Approximately 30 members of the MG Car Club will be attending the Cosmos Festival. If you are a classic car enthusiast come and talk to the MG guys - you will find them there... Click the thumbnails to open larger images in a new window....
Click on the image to open the PDF in a new window... (90kb
PDF) (65kb
PDF) Work is continuing at a feverish pace on all fronts....
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Sandstone Estates, Eastern Free State, South Africa |