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High Ranking Kelsey Publishing deputation visits the SWAT Team in the Cape

Gordon Wright and his wife Suzanne of Kelsey Publishing UK had, I think, a wonderful day down here with us last Tuesday. They had had every second planned for them by their family while they were up North, but they did manage a visit to Deon Bouwer, and were shown the Arthur Prescott Hall at RSME. (Arthur had been invested in the Stationary Engine Hall of Fame many years ago.... he used to visit shows in UK and tell people he'd just quickly popped in to the show from Jo'burg!).

Philip Gray-Taylor and Arthur Wilding picked them up from their hotel in Cape Town, took them to Philip's house and collection in Milnerton.

From there they went up to Blaauberg, to show the visitors an unforgettable sight:

Unique synergy is achieved by classic military vehicles owned by the SA Armour Museum in Bloemfontein (SADF), the Sandstone Heritage Trust's collection of military vehicles, and the 2-ft Narrow Gauge railway at Sandstone Estates. All of these combined together to provide a photographic experience for photographers in the Eastern Free State.

The weather started off with a shower in the morning and continued to remind us between bouts of glorious sunshine that the forecast was for 60% rain on the day and that the weather was going to get worse [which it did but fortunately only after the day's events were over].
The engines were largely unaffected by the rain and ran happily despite some heavy showers or concern from their owners as to their water resistance.

Rain however didn't dampen any enthusiasm from the participants who came in great numbers.
As the access to Gerald and Jenny's garden is down a steep brick-paved path it is only the bravest of us who brings anything large to this event and as the photos show, we had somewhere in the region of 50 to 60 smaller engines, which were carefully manhandled down the path by their owners, assisted by Gerald's 4 willing helpers [who just as willingly helped haul them up the path again at the end of the day's events.

(Below left) Participants came from far and one even left home at 4.00am to be there early to off load this Crossley, which because of its size had pride of place on the driveway.

Sandstone News April 2006.
April was the busiest period that the Sandstone Heritage Trust has ever seen with over three weeks of intensive activity that encompassed narrow gauge steam, cape gauge steam, vintage agricultural and transport equipment, historic military equipment, vintage aircraft and a new world record for the narrow gauge. All these events emphasised Sandstone’s position as probably the foremost preservation destination in the world.

Under African Skies & The 2006 Cosmos Festival

Following on from the outstanding success of the 2005 Cosmos Festival, a bigger and better event was planned for this year. Drawing on experience from the 2003 Heritage Fair it was decided to include more attractions to enhance the experience of the beauty of the Cosmos and the narrow gauge railway. Before this got underway, though, an event unique in the preservation world was staged, Under African Skies. A hands on experience for visitors that encompassed all of Sandstone’s preservation activities.

Following on from discussions with some overseas visitors on the Avontuur Adventurer and further discussion in the UK, Under African Skies was born.

This event enabled visitors to experience at first hand in a semi-working environment any of the working items that they wished. Although there was a provisional programme to regulate the event, guests were very much free to pick and chose what they wanted to do on any particular day.
While it was particularly rail related, as most of the visitors were rail enthusiasts, guests were able to drive, under Sandstone supervision, bulldozers, steam locomotives, tractors, military vehicles, a vintage bus, traction engines, steam rollers, a veteran fire engine and much more. Holes were dug, fields ploughed, trains were run, passengers were carried and fires put out.

With almost incessant rain since January, the Sandstone Estates farm was a sea of green punctuated by the burgundy and white of the Cosmos flowers. The rain abated some two days before the guests arrived and clear blue South African skies graced the event.

From a railway perspective, all of the working Sandstone narrow gauge steam fleet (11 in total) was in steam at one time or another allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of engines on the spectacular system. At one time 9 locos were operating! Guests had to prepare their engine themselves and were provided with a suitable load for the experience. Each train was controlled by radio orders from Hoekfontein station. The climb up Pandora Bank and also to Vailima Halt had been heavily reworked prior to the event to decrease the fierce gradients and proved a most successful investment.
Two groups came from the UK, one from the Welsh Highland Railway (with whom Sandstone has a twinning arrangement) led by David Kent and another from the Hunslet Steam Company and the Statfold Barn Railway led by Graham Lee. Other visitors were from Germany, Switzerland and South Africa. Not all the guests were in “hands on” mode. Some preferring to spend their time photographing or just chilling and enjoying the events around them.

Many of Sandstone’s friends attended to assist with the event including Shaun and Pat Ackerman, Phillip Maurer, Charles and Frank Viljoen ,Charles Terry, Johan van der Hoeven, Jan Fouche and some special old time guests in Jannie Du Toit and Sarel Viljoen.

The Welsh Highland Group were particularly interested in the NG15 no: 17, as they are about to restore a similar locomotive in the UK. To gain operational experience was a great help to them. Operating coal fired locos was a newish experience though, as the NGG16 Garratts they run are oil fired. This caused much amusement when black smoke was needed for photography as this is totally taboo in Wales! Photographers, in fact, had a special time as many of the preserved vehicles were used to “accessorise” the rail photographs making for that unique Sandstone touch.
Graham Lee’s group enjoyed not only the railway but also traction engines and tractors. In fact it was hard to keep up with Graham as he was probably operating at least three machines at once!
Sandstone’s two smallest locos, “Little Bess” and “Decauville” made history during the two weeks when both were successful in running around the entire system including the fearsome climb up to Vailima Halt.

Guests were accommodated in a special tented area with full catering available or in local hotels and B&B’s.

All in all Under African Skies was a tremendous success.

Under African Skies ended one day before the Cosmos Festival to enable the Sandstone team to draw a breath although a number of Press were hosted on that day as well. To cap the previous two weeks proceedings a world record attempt for the longest steam hauled 2 ft narrow gauge train was run (see story below).

The Cosmos Festival staged on April 8th & 9th attracted a large number of visitors from as far afield as Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town and many of the international visitors from Under African Skies stayed on. An intensive train service was run using NGG16’s, 113 & 153, the Lawley, the Fowler, “Sandy” and the O&K. At one time all of the trains were being operated by Welsh Highland crews!

In addition to the passenger trains, a special military train had been configured featuring specially camouflaged wagons and loaded with military vehicles and weapons. This made a number of demonstration runs during the weekend.

Sunday morning, at dawn, saw the traditional photography special hauled by NGG16 no: 113. Although there was a good turnout, partly cloudy weather played havoc with the proceedings at times. Nevertheless good shots were taken at Hoekfontein, Grootdraai, Mooihoek and Pandora.
Although the 2ft narrow gauge railway tends to dominate proceedings, the 2006 Cosmos Festival also featured some spectacular aircraft and a display by the SA School of Armour Museum. They even brought a prototype tank, which provided a great spectacle with its speed and manoeverability, notwithstanding the unbelievable volume of noise it produced! The tank even featured in the photographic special on Sunday morning.
Visitors could also take conducted tours around the farm and the Sandstone collection. With plenty of food and drink and much to ride, touch and feel, the 2006 Cosmos Festival was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended.