Railway Heritage
HTN 174 - Massive DVD Sale - an opportunity for enthusiasts to own some classic videos
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 174 - Massive DVD Sale - an opportunity for enthusiasts to own some classic videos
18th January 2007
HTN 179 - The man and the machines
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 179 - The man and the machines
1st February 2007
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Keith Stevens is not a man who is easily demoralised by the state of the projects that he is asked to tackle. These photographs show the state of our McLaren Compound Engine.
As always, once these items are dismantled they provide many shocks and disappointments. However, the project is going ahead and Keith is now turning his attention to this McLaren Engine. |
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We hope that one day it will look like this.
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RN352 - Restoring the Port Shepstone 2-ft Narrow Gauge trucks
Heritage - Rail - News
RN 352 - Restoring the Port Shepstone 2-ft Narrow Gauge trucks
12th March 2007|
Now that we have cleared the Port Shepstone site of 2-ft Narrow Gauge trucks the long 3-4 year project has started to restore them. These photos show our temporary sandblasting site that has been set up to sandblast |
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HTN 191 - Alastair Saxton's cover design for the March issue of The Klaxton Chatter Magazine
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 191 - Alastair Saxton's cover design for the March issue of The Klaxton Chatter Magazine
16th March 2007
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Thanks Alastair, this looks fabulous!
If you are interested in the magazine - mail Alastair at |
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HTN 196 - Signage upgrade takes place at Sandstone Estates.
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 196 - Signage upgrade takes place at Sandstone Estates.
23rd March 2007
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A programme is underway to improve all our signage on the farm. This new enlarged sign which clearly shows our logo is mounted on the Bean Drying & Processing Plant.
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HTN 200 - Our Edwardian Experience on the 21st April was an enormous success
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 200 - Our Edwardian Experience on the 21st April was an enormous success
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View the Gallery from Tessa Joughin >>>
View the Gallery from John Middleton >>> View Gary Barnes photo gallery >>> The Ladies looked absolutely beautiful and the Gentlemen spectacular! Everyone made a huge effort to look the part and the ambiance was incredible. Sunset train rides along with gracefully dresssed guests, an unsurpassed dinner that evening, fireside records on the grammaphone and everyone having a wonderful time. We will be updating the pictures during the week, but have a look at how well it went. |
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| A letter from Hannes Paling |
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Subject: Edwardian event
Dear Mr Mole Our sincere thanks for the opportunity to attend the Edwardian event, every person that attended contributed to making this a truly unforgettable experience for both of us, it was absolutely superb, thanks. Who ever chose the names to sit at table 1 could not have chosen a better matched group of people, the company was superb and enjoyed by all, we could have carried on talking to the early hours, just one word, fantastic. The decor and catering too was in a class of its own, superb Best Regards Hannes & Vera |
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From: Dave Scales Sent: 23 April 2007 08:48 Subject: Edwardian event Hi Wilf, Well I suppose the excitement is over but certainly not the memory. What a brilliant event this was. Sam and I enjoyed every single moment and the way that you planned this was so good. It was the first time that I had seen your mil vehicle in motion and seeing the oxen at Grootdraai was also fantastic. The string quartet, the uniforms of the railway staff, the sundowners at Grootdraai, the marquee, the guests all dressed up, the loco's in all their glory, the make up of the train, the starlight train ride..... and everything else. Down to the finest detail one will not forget! The estate also looked absolutely fabulous and my top hat also goes off to Terry and his staff. I am afraid that anyone who was not able to make the event missed probably the best event ever held at Sandstone Estates. It was indeed an honour to have been invited and I once again thank you so very much. With best wishes Dave & Samantha Scales |
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From: Willie Botha Sent: 23 April 2007 11:16 Subject: thank you Dear Mr & Mrs Mole From Jan & myself we would like to thank you so much for the unforgetable evening at Sandstone. We enjoyed it very much, had interesting guests at our table and I never pictured the waenhuis transforming into a fairyland. Everything was out of this world. Thank you again for inviting us, and thank you to everybody working so hard to make a huge success. Rg Jan & Madeleine Geniet die dag / Enjoy the day Groete / Regards Madeleine Vir / For Willie Botha |
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From: Sheila Ralston Sent: 24 April 2007 08:13 Subject: Edwardian Event Dear Wilf and Lyndie Many many thanks for a most enjoyable evening. The decor was beautiful the food divine and I was so fortunate to sit with your parents Lyndie, to go down memory lane of the old Rhodesia. Lyndie, you really looked beautiful. This has been one of those special evenings that one remembers for a long long time. Once again thank you very much. Regards Sheila |
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| From: Ron Nell Sent: 24 April 2007 09:10 To: Wilf Mole Subject: The Amazing Edwardian Experience Dear Wilf and Lyndie, I actually cannot find any words to describe my feelings. I had to pinch myself at Grootdraai to make sure I wasn't dreaming. When I think about it now I get goosebumps. Sipping a glass of real champagne with a string quartet, steam engines and a team of oxen in attendance. A theatrical lightning storm in the distance. How on earth do you arrange these things? Even the rain during dinner enhanced rather than detracted from the experience. It was a privilege to be part of it. Thank you. Kind regards, Ron |
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HTN 201 - A gallery of photographs from Tessa Joughin from our Edwardian Event
HTN 201 - A gallery of photographs from Tessa Joughin from our Edwardian Event
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View the Gallery from Sandstone and Hannes Paling >>>
View the Gallery from John Middleton >>> View Gary Barnes photo gallery >>> Dear Mr Mole, Vernon and I would like to thank you and Lyndie very much for the honour and privilege of being able to attend the Edwardian Experience. It was like slipping back in time, and what a time that must have been! The whole mood was heightened by everyone being in period costume and the dramatic clouds of the approaching thunderstorm sweeping in from Lesotho. I think it is something that will linger in everyone's memory as a truly unique experience! |
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HTN 202 - A gallery of photographs from John Middleton
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 202 - A gallery of photographs from John Middleton
| 24th April 2007 View the Gallery from Sandstone and Hannes Paling >>> View the Gallery from Tessa Joughin >>> View Gary Barnes photo gallery >>> Edwardian Event - Sandstone Estates - Saturday, 21st April 2007 Dear Wilf I just want to thank you for the truly wonderful weekend at Sandstone. Standing under the trees at Grootdraai as the Lawley sizzled in the background and the sun set over the Maluti Mountains and we sipped Champagne was the perfect tonic for making the troubles of the world evaporate for a few hours. As said during the speechs, an atmosphere to be bottled, if only that were possible, may the photo below sums up a little of that wonderful atmosphere. Many thanks to all the crews who got up early to make it happen.
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HTN 203 - Great pics from Gary Barnes at our Edwardian Event
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 203 - Great pics from Gary Barnes at our Edwardian Event
25th April 2007
View the Gallery from Sandstone and Hannes Paling >>>
View the Gallery from Tessa Joughin >>>
| Edwardian Event - Sandstone Estates - Saturday, 21st April 2007 Great photos sent in by Gary Barnes. |
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HTN 204 - Our Edwardian Experience - letters in response
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 204 - Our Edwardian Experience - letters in response
View the Gallery from Tessa Joughin >>>
View the Gallery from John Middleton >>>
View Gary Barnes photo gallery >>>
Sent: 03 May 2007 15:53
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| From: Aleit Music and Entertainment Sent: 03 May 2007 15:53 To: joannewest Subject: Edwardian Experience - Sandstone Estates Dear all, We hope this finds you well. My musicians couldn't stop raving about it. I almost didn't believe them but when I saw the pictures I was blown away! Wow! It looks absolutely fantastic. I heard this is being published? Is that right? Also from our side - thank you very much for the accommodation and food provided! I would love a CD with the pictures on! I am so thrilled that we were part of The Edwardian Experience! Best and warm regards, Ryanhardt |
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| From: Kerry Young Sent: 26 April 2007 23:19 To: Joanne West Subject: Back to reality. Hello again Wilf. My absolute thanks indeed for sending such amazing mail this way and so soon. There are already so many superlatives coming your way and deservedly so. My wife (Janice) and I have been spellbound by the absolute magical effect of the pictures so far. One tries not to be too overcome by sentiment, but from our half a world away, we were spellbound by the pictures and there was a tear in the eye I confess. We have never seen such an event in such surroundings before, over all, the effect is like nothing we have witnessed before. I won't try to find words to describe the scene. Words, superlatives won't do it justice. The pictures from Tessa Joughin, especially the panoramas have an impact I can't describe adequately. Not only those, but the others you so kindly sent, brought smiles of immediate recognition and pleasure. I did say Andy would do you proud and he most certainly fulfilled that promise. On that note, The latest shots with your in laws Mr. and Mrs. Rose, absolutely beyond belief. At the same time, I have to say, if that is a tractor shed, you must surely live in a mansion? Those pictures bespeak a wholly different age. Some values from which we ought to still have. (Others not so!) The scene portrayed an ambience the film industry itself can seldom display adequately. Before I wax lyrical, I should desist. You mention Andy as being the ultimate guest. I suggest you certainly assume the same mantle as a host. In my lifetime I have never witnessed a spectacle such as you have created and I'm sure many of your guests haven't either. Do take a bow, together with your good lady Wife, who I am sure had no small hand in arranging detail of your event. Congratulations to you and your team. With our greatest appreciation, Janice and Kerry Young. |
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From: Dave Brewer
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From: Stewart Currie Sent: 28 April 2007 10:02 To: Joanne West Subject: Edwardian Evening Dear Wilf, Janet & I thank you very much for inviting us to the Edwardian Evening We had a wonderful time It was an event that we will remenber and treasure for the rest of our lives. Many thanks again, Stewart and Janet Currie |
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From left: Andy Selfe, Janice & Stewart Currie
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Sent: 26 April 2007 09:42
To: joannewest Subject: THANK YOU, EDWARDIAN EXPERIENCE Dear Mr. Mole & Lyndie, Words cannot describe Saturday evening at the Edwardian Experience. I would have never thought spending an evening with guests such as my biology teacher from High School! The atmosphere was unbelievable down at Grootdraai, the oxen, the horses and the carriages which I jumped into, to pose for Ron Nell. I just would like to thank Lyndie and yourself inviting me as a staff member of Sandstone Estates. I felt privileged joining such a splendid event with guests from all over the earth. The food, champagne and everything done by Marilyn and Robert was like a real fairy tale. We all had great fun together which I will remember always. Luckily, we have all the photos to remember us for ever and ever about an unforgettable evening. Thank you for letting me be a part of this. Rg - Hester |
| From: Marc Wiggill Sent: 24 April 2007 21:25 Subject: THE EDWARDIAN EXPERIENCE Hi Wilf and Lyndie, I have finally settled down back in Jo’burg after a busy week in Harare, a rushed motor down to Plett via Margie’s family in the Grahamstown area, then on to the Eastern Free State. We all are still somewhat spellbound by our Sandstone experience. The Edwardian Experience on Saturday was really a great experience for us all. It was in my view a continuous kaleidoscope of unique (or at least for me they were !) frames; the halls of vintage plant, the trains and their carriages, the span of Afrikaners, the modern plant and facility of the farm, and so it goes on and on. It really was a privilege to have been part of a great crowd of folk who very much made the day one to remember for a long time. Thanks to all your team on the Estate who played a role in the setting up of the day and being such active hosts. We enjoyed especially the train ride to watch the sunset whilst enjoying those superb canapés and champers ! Once again, a sincere thank you for inviting us to be part of a very special and memorial day. Thanks for the photo’s received earlier today. They encapsulate the frames of my mind’s kaleidoscope of the day. Warm regards, Marc, Margie, Ryan and Karyn |
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| From: Brett Lankester Sent: 30 April 2007 09:55 Subject: Edwardian evening Dear Wilfred and Lyndie: I can scarcely believe as I contemplate the London skyline that only a week ago we were at Sandstone enjoying your wonderful hospitality. As a first time visitor I was simply stunned by the sheer beauty of the landscape and amazed by what you have created in terms of historical infrastructure. It is a very special place. I thought the photos you sent out last week captured the mood of the party perfectly. Many thanks for including me, it was a memorable and extremely enjoyable evening and I am delighted to have made the trip. With very best regards, Brett PS. Our pilot gave us a flight over the farm early the next morning. The weather was perfect and Sandstone looked magnificent. |
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| From: Gavin Boy Sent: 24 April 2007 20:13 Subject: Thankyou Dear Wilfred Just a short note to say thank you for inviting Annelie and me to one of the best functions we have been to in a very long time. It is really nice to attend a function where every detail is take care of the standard is maintained throughout. We consider it an honour to have been invited. I took some great photos and I will let you have a copy of the pictures. Please let me know to whom I should send the disk to. Once again I thank you and you wife Lindy for the beautiful invitation and top class function. I really appreciate it. Thanking you Gavin Boy Account Director St.Ives Communications |
| From: Dave Burness Sent: 24 April 2007 16:56 Subject: Re: Edwardian event Hello Wilf and Lyndie, Thanks for these photos especially the one of Trish and I together at the champagne quaffing. Our one of the cattle is no where near as good as this one. We would also like to add our thanks for being invited to the splendid affair. Saturday was the kind of gathering one will talk about for years and haul out the photos to make others envious! All facets of the day were so well thought out and executed. The champagne at Grootdraai was a highlight and decadent in a sort of White Mischief way. The Titanic's last menu obviously tempted fate and bought the wonderful downpour at a time when we were all under cover and in time for a winter wheat crop that didn't look like coming off less than a month ago. We also enjoyed the late night train ride. We, as you know took part in all the activities prior to the costumed activities on saturday and thoroughly enjoyed going the full length of the track and listening to all the banter and stories. What a wonderful mix of people. Scratch the surface and everybody knows somebody in another person's circle! Riding the army corps was fun. Bobootie lunch and all. Want to single out Terry and Hester for always asking after Trish and my welfare during the entire weekend, they are both assets to Sandstone especially PR wise. We echo the thought that went into the table seating. We found the Kerslakes most entertaining. The progeny of the Irishman and Russian lawyer will be something to behold! More than Best Regards, Trish and Dave Burness. |
HTN 205 - Our Edwardian Experience - Authentic Sepia Images
HTN 206 - The Sandstone Chronicles - New DVD Release
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 206 - The Sandstone Chronicles - New DVD Release
| Our brilliant new DVD has just arrived - The Sandstone Chronicles. In this latest DVD - we cover The development of the Sandstone Heritage Trust, The locomotives and the train adventures. The Sandstone Chronicles is only available on DVD - the price is R125.00 If you are in South Africa and would like a copy, please email Babita Hira at If you are not in South Africa and you would like a copy, email Joanne West at |
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HTN 207 - 1200 km to a Dinner Party? You must be crazy! - by Andy Selfe
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 207 - 1200 km to a Dinner Party? You must be crazy! - by Andy Selfe
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View the Gallery from Tessa Joughin >>>
View the Gallery from John Middleton >>> View Gary Barnes photo gallery >>> 1200 km to a Dinner Party? You must be crazy! But if the invitation is to an Edwardian Experience at Sandstone Estates in the Eastern Freestate, the answer, without doubt, is Yes! I knew that this was a party we would all remember for the rest of our lives, and that every small detail would be attended to, to make it that way. A 4am start and a right turn after !Gariep Dam, via Smithfield, then via 90 km of dirt road to near Wepener, then northwards on the Maloti Route via Hobhouse, Clocolan and Ficksburg, meant I arrived just before 4pm, feeling jaded, but after a cuppa, felt much better. I ran straight into Hester, in whose house I was supposed to stay. She took one look and said, 'Wouldn't you rather like to be with your friend Charles in the Single Quarters?' meaning, 'You aren't coming to stay with me, mate!' This was a good move as the quarters are near the main gate, and handy for everything. It was great living on the farm and saved the hassle and expense of a B&B outside. I wandered around, clocked in with Wilf, our host at his house, sang Happy Birthday to his daughter Hayley (16) while she blew her candles out, and started exploring the farm with the movie camera rolling. I met Jan (AWB) Fouche from Lichtenburg, who is the Tiffy who looks after the Military Vehicles, and his son Francois, son in law Kevin and another helper, Danie. Drinks and a braai were laid on at farm manager Terry Reilly's house, where we caught up with other old and new friends, meeting some e-mail pals for the first time! Up early on Saturday morning, not having needed much rocking. I had been told to report to Jan to drive 'my Saracen'. More wandering around and filming and chatting with Jan, then we put some petrol in the Saracen, and I did pre-start procedure. Some old brain paths reopened without too much effort! While adjusting the brake bands by pumping the Gear Change Pedal 25 times in each gear, I decided 4th gear wasn't right and reported the fault to Jan. So Francois and I set to and removed the floor and opened the cover of the gearbox to see why it wasn't self-adjusting on 4th. He wasn't happy with 2nd either. Once manually set, we put the covers back on and cleaned the oil sieve, all good reminders of forgotten maintenance procedures. (It's great that a younger chap like Francois is getting experience on a Wilson Epicyclic gearbox, designed for tanks in WW1!). Having swotted that gearbox at College all those years ago, I was able to relate well with him on the subject. He'd had to learn the hard way with nobody to instruct him at all! I then wasn't happy with the steering oil level, so a message was sent to somebody to buy some in town. The engine dipstick also showed nothing, but without starting that is normal. The engine has a dry sump, and a tank which is higher than the engine sump. The dipstick is in this. The oil leaks slowly back from the tank into the engine sump, so the checking procedure is to start up, then switch off and then check the dipstick. This needed another message to get monograde oil for the engine, a Rolls Royce straight 8. Then we checked why the steering oil was low, found a leak at the oil cooler. This meant removing part of the engine cover and the nose of the Armoured Car to get at the faulty connection, and at the same time cleaning the radiator which was badly blocked with oily dust. Once this was together, it was lunch time, so I got my chance to drive it (with a car full of experts ready to criticise) the few hundred metres to lunch with Francois coaching at my shoulder. He has an amusing story, where he had done the same with Koos Moorcroft, who was just not getting it right, not wanting, it seemed, to listen to a youngster, till Francois lost his temper and said, Maar oom Koos moet fo####n luister! (But uncle Koos must [please!] listen!) One brain path that reopened was when Jan told me to engage the forward / reverse lever backwards to drive forward. Cobwebs cleared, and I said, 'It's the other way around on the Ferret, isn't it?' He smiled when he nodded! It was great to have been able to point out the faults to the experts having been a once-or-twice driver 30 years ago, and also from swotting it (amongst many others), knowing what was wrong inside the gearbox! |
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Jan Fouche in the Saracen
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After lunch the next attraction was a train ride of the whole line which now has loops at both ends, a smaller one at Grootdraai and a huge one at the Vailima end including some impressive mountain climbing through orchards, drawn by double-headed Garratts, the most powerful locomotives ever made for 2’ gauge, making easy work of it. We were able to make friends with more of the guests as this trip was for dinner guests as well as volunteers invited to get things running for the principal guests, the Trustees of Sandstone Estates and Sandstone Heritage Trust. Naturally the camera was rolling all the time on the trip! We were escorted part of the way by Jan in the Saracen. It was great that we had done all that work, knowing the oil leak was fixed, and the radiator clean. Once back from the train trip, we were free to go 'home' and change into our gear. I knew there'd be a small problem here, because I needed some help getting into my uniform, that of the Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge's Hussars) Imperial Yeomanry. Charles was busy with the Marshall Colonial traction engine, which we were to see later. This was solved when I got back and found that the String Quartet members had moved into the single quarters as well. |
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The Quartet at Hoekfontein, in the foreground, the International Harvester 1907 Carriage Car
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A leisurely shower, and then the fun of getting into the uniform again, for the first time in 20 years. This time I'd brought some string to feed through the loops in the boots so I could pull them up, and I had some thin socks. The problem is that you have to put the boots into the 'Overall' trousers, as they are called, buckle them up under the heel and then pull them up as one. But they are so tight you can't reach the tops of the boots to pull them up. I had cramps both sides and had to rest, laughing, before they were on! The next problem was the hooks on the collar, and then the white tabs which are held in place by three poppers each side. Here the musicians were able to help. We all wandered the short distance to Hoekfontein Station where the festivities were to start. The Quartet started playing, there was bunting which had just been finished all around the station verandah. The building itself is a hundred years old, corrugated iron on the outside and beautifully appointed inside with steam photographs and a Station Master's office with an old typewriter and till. All it lacks is a van Schoor token machine! All the train staff were in railway uniform, even the lads who had been detailed to carry refreshments. The train came in, drawn by the prize of the fleet, BR7, a Lawley bought by Cecil John Rhodes for the Beira Railway in 1895, some closed carriages and some open wagons which have been fitted with benches, some facing forward, some back. There seemed to be some anxiety amongst the loco crew, we were not sure why. We found out later! Out pulled the train, in the direction of Grootdraai, but it wasn't long before we realised why the crew was anxious, the wheels just couldn't make enough traction on the slope. Soon there was a nudge from behind, and a Garratt had sidled up to help, and pushed gently from behind. The trip to Grootdraai can't be more than 15 minutes, but when we got there...... there was the Quartet playing! Yes, the same one! But that wasn't all, steps were opposite the carriage doors, and the people were helped off the train. Wilf jumped off first, and as he said later, he hadn't seen much of the dress before the train moved off, but he'd thought perhaps a third of the people would have dressed for the part. He admitted to being astonished with what he saw when he turned around! Here, pictures alone will suffice to describe the scene..... we had gone past Charles on the Marshall Colonial traction engine towing a hay wagon, then from the other side on the skyline, an ox wagon and team of eight leisurely strolled into vision. Champagne and canapes were served by uniformed waiters from Prue Leith. After about half an hour, perhaps more, of savouring this Out of Africa scene, we climbed back on to the train and went back to Hoekfontein....... where the Quartet was playing! Those of us not with our spouses were paired off and just before entering the marquee, were stopped for an official photo, then announced as we went in. Tables were arranged cleverly with people with similar interests sitting together. Ours was military with the RSM of School of Armour and some vets from Zimbabwe, as well as the organisers of the event. Again the inside of the marquee is difficult to describe fully. Tall silver candelabra, ringed with red rose arrangements, covered chairs, round tables, drapes inside the tent walls with period monochrome photographs. The whole filled with people turned out in beautiful clothes. The marquee was connected to the main building, an old wagon shed, where the youngsters were at another table. We were told that the menu was from the last night of the Titanic, another detail. The food, champagne, wine and service were exquisite, and in the middle of the meal a thunderstorm passed over, adding to the dramatic atmosphere. Not to be deterred, the waiters at one stage made a roof of two umbrellas under the gap between the building and the marquee so that other waiters and food could pass through dry. |
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The Lawley coupled with the NG4 down at Grootdraai
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Left to right: Ron Nell, Annette & Charles Barrett, Andy Selfe
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| Towards the end of the meal three short speeches were made, one from Wilf, one from Gerhard Wille, original owner of the farm, who gave us a short family history and one from Jim Edmondson, one of the Trustees. He spoke of a wish to try to bottle the atmosphere there in the tent that night. Impossible, but we're hoping that the two photographers there, Ron Nell with movies and Tessa Joughin with stills will help us recall it. While the last speech was made, there was a toot from outside! We all trooped out and boarded the train in the pitch dark. Everything was fresh, wet and shiny, there were millions of stars, and lightning was still flashing in the distance over Lesotho. All huddled in the compartment, looking out of the windows in the cold at these sights, is an experience which I will never forget. At one stage I asked the others whether they didn't think they'd all wake up and think, 'Wow, that was a strong one!' Colin Shaw, one of the Trustees joked that if I still fitted in my uniform of 30 years before, I must be a bad businessman! I had to agree! We did the Grootdraai circuit again, the other way around. Somebody must have been out there in the cold to throw the points. Back at Hoekfontein we needed warming up again. There was a roaring log fire in the hearth of the main building, more champagne, records played on an old Gramophone and more socialising. Towards midnight, I think, people started drifting off, probably ready for bed. I knew I couldn't undo my collar on my own, the musicians had gone so I had to ask the last of the guests to help, and for the first time in the evening I could move my neck. Wilf commented later on my bearing. It's difficult to slouch in that gear! |
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Back to the single quarters expecting darkness and quiet. Far from it! The musicians had now finished work, now it was time for a party! Well, after playing them a selection of the music I had brought to keep me awake in the car, and discussing how Beethoven's Triple was thought to be worthless up to the '60s, being hardly ever played, and how Quartet leader Francois' class at University of Cape Town had persuaded their lecturer that it was great, all the while listening to Yo Yo Ma gracefully going through the cello part....... then some Britten then some Bach, all lubricated with more delicious red wine. When we were finished, it was 3am! Up again before 7, I left some Vivaldi on original instruments playing to ease the musicians' hang-overs, which made Lyndie think they were practising when she walked past. When I metioned this to them, they laughed and said, 'She doesn't know musicians!' They were still fast asleep! I wandered around, savouring the atmosphere and the fresh memories of the night before. Breakfast was laid on, after which it was really just a question of packing up, pulling the single quarters straight, and saying goodbye. I had a cup of tea with Wilf, Lyndie and Mike Myers, talking flower arrangement and BEE and then reluctantly left. I had realised there was no way I could make it back in one go after the party, so arranged to stop at Colesberg, 1/3 of the way home. Up at 3 on Monday morning, an uneventful trip back on the N1 got me home at 12 noon, with 2506 km on the clock from the start. The phone was ringing from 8.00, calls from anxious customers, 'When can you.....?', so after lunch, it was back into blue overalls, bubble burst, and back to the grind! The best things of the Experience were being able to enjoy the 'Upstairs' company and fare, while still being able to grovel in the bowels of a Saracen gearbox, to talk about and listen to music till the small hours, and to meet a lot of friends I had been corresponding with for years for the first time! Friends we have met at Sandstone (I've only been there once before) have stayed special friends, with lots in common to talk about! Was it worth it? Every inch of the way! |
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From left: Andy Selfe, Janice & Stewart Currie
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HTN 209 - Literature Division
Sandstone Heritage Trust - News
HTN 209 - Literature Division
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The Sandstone Heritage Trust has a fully fledged Library run by a highly qualified and experienced Librarian, Judy le Grange. Judy has been quietly collating, collecting, indexing and reissuing documentation covering all our heritage activities for some years. Recently we have received reports of libraries closing down, books being discarded and private collections of books being thrown away. Very often a document that is worthless to one person can prove invaluable to another. This also applies to mechanical drawings.
We would like to make the contents of our Library available to fellow enthusiasts and at the same time we would like to request that you bear us in mind if you have documentation regarding agricultural machinery, locomotives, military vehicles, implements etc. that you do not need. We will collect anywhere in SA. To give you a small glimpse of what is available, please find attached a recent update from Judy on the locomotive drawings that we have at our disposal. |
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View the list of drawings here >>> (Excel file).
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Mac users control click. PC users right click and choose "Save file as".
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Below is an example from the catalogue library showing a Massey Harris catalogue issued in 1945
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