In the Press

It has been a good time for international press coverage of Sandstone's activities.

We have received an influx of articles appearing which covered various aspects of our heritage programme here in South Africa...

Sandstone’s National Engine

Stationary Engine

Sandstone’s National Engine

One of the major attractions at Sandstone is the 1935 National Oil engine situated inside the bar area at the Waenhuis Restaurant in the main complex of Sandstone. The distinctive thump, thump of its exhaust is well known to many of our visitors. Sadly it suffered a major failure at our Easter event in 2022 but was repaired in time for the Cherry Steam event in November 2022 thanks to the efforts of the Curator of the Stationary Engine Museum at Sandstone, Danie Pretorius, and Andy Selfe.

Stationary Engine magazine, the premier periodical on stationary engines, has published an article by Andy Selfe on the National and its repair. Andy has raised a query that readers of the article may be able assist with regarding the air receiver on the engine. If you can assist, please get in touch with us : Contact Us
You can read the article by clicking on the the link below:

The Article

Narrow Gauge World reviews Sandstone ‘s latest book.

Sandstone Book Review

Narrow Gauge World reviews Sandstone ‘s latest book.

Narrow Gauge World is possibly the premier magazine or narrow gauge railways in the UK. Features Editor, David Joy, has been a long-time supporter of Sandstone and has given our new book a very positive review for which we thank him! His final comment on the situation of railway preservation in South Africa is a poignant statement on what is a sad current situation.

Click here to read the review.

Heritage Railway Magazine

Sandstone Easter
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.

RM Front cover Feb 22 Copy

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

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 Reviews

SSE Book 2 front cover image smaller

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.

Vintage Spirit Mag
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

Passeport pour la vapeur

Fabrice 1
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.

Vintage Spirit Magazine July 2022

Vintage Spirit June 2022 web

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

Classic Military Vehicle magazine March 2022.

Mlitary VehiclesThis 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