Welcome to the Sandstone Estates website! Click on “About Us” to learn more about Sandstone and the Heritage collection.
Please note  we do not accept cash payments at Sandstone, only Debit Cards, Credit Cards, EFT payments & mobile application payments.

The stock list has been updated to reflect operational loco changes after the boiler inspections of January 2023.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

We thought we would feature this spectacular picture of the mountain above Vailima Siding with Soutkop in the back ground, to its left, just because it is such a stunning photograph. The larger mountain is affectionately referred to as “Sandstone Mountain” but is known as Twalaboholo by the locals!

We hope you enjoy it. Picture by Mr Wilfred Mole.

As most people are aware, Sandstone Estates, the home of the Sandstone Heritage Collection, is a working commercial farm with a variety of crops, one of which is wheat. The weather lately, in the Eastern Free State of South Africa has been plagued by heavy rains which has made harvesting the wheat quite challenging. As is often the case vehicles from  the Heritage Collection are brought in to assist. Our sunset photo gallery shows our 1990 Kenworth truck with the trailer for the harvested grain plus the ex-British military HET Tank Tractor on standby duties to haul the IH combine out of difficulty in the very damp ground with the Kenworth in the final picture ready for unloading at the farm silos.

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

10CR number 771 is one of the main 3’6” gauge displays next to Hoekfontein Station. Built in 1910, by North British of Glasgow, the loco spent its early life working commuter passenger trains between Johannesburg and Springs before being transferred to main line work at Kimberley. The locomotive ended its days at Lorraine Gold Mine before being purchased by Sandstone  in the late 90s. Having spent some its life at Sandstone in a non-original red livery the locomotive is now receiving a coat of black paint while its accompanying caboose is repainted in red.

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!