In the Press

Heritage Railway Magazine has given us a boost for our Easter event!

Click here to read

Sandstone’s latest book gets a positive review at The Railway Magazine.

 The Railway Magazine, (https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk) is the top selling rail title in the UK and has been published continuously since 1897. We were pleased to receive a most positive review of our recently published book, “The Sandstone Steam Railway, the story continues” World News editor, Keith Fender, who is familiar with Sandstone, described the book as “very highly recommended”.

You can read the full review by clicking here.

Why is the Eastern Free State lekker?

Frans Cronje who promotes the "Why is the Eastern Free State Lekker?" website (featured on our website in January 2022) has produced a video of some of the events at the recent Cherry Festival in Ficksburg. Sandstone Estates features in this video. https://youtu.be/5du9JYUHUUM

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

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

One of our frequent overseas visitors to Sandstone is Fabrice Lanoue who has written a book, “Passeport pour la vapeur”, on his worldwide steam travels over the last 35 years, in which Sandstone is featured. Our pictures show the cover of the book and the Sandstone section plus the French language text. An English translation of the text is below.

With our limited events during and after the Covid pandemic, coverage of Sandstone in international magazines has been less than we previously enjoyed. So we were pleased to see that Vintage Sprit magazine covered our Easter event with a letter from contributor, Peter Brockington.

You can access details of Vintage Spirit, which covers Steam and Industrial Heritage, on the following link.

Vintage Spirit Magazine | Steam Heritage

This prestigious UK magazine features an article on Sandstone’s collection of military vehicles in its issue for March 22. Click here to read the article

Derek Rayner, one of the foremost authorities on road steam and a good friend of Sandstone, has sent us the latest edition of Rolling, the UK Road Roller Association Journal. This edition includes an article by Derek on some of Sandstone’s rollers after he visited us at the last Stars of Sandstone event. Enjoy the read, click here.

The latest edition of Heritage Railway Magazine in the UK has given us great coverage of the restoration of NGG16A number 155 and the 3’6” loco moves from Germiston to Sandstone. Both articles are by correspondent , John Titlow, who visited Sandstone at our Stars of Sandstone event in 2019. Click here to view the stories.