Sandstone Returns to the International Stage!
It’s four years since Sandstone hosted its last overseas tour group at Stars of Sandstone 2019 and over 15 years since the last major International Tour on South Africa’s main line! All this changed in June and early July when FarRail, a German Tour Operator, organised an ambitious tour to the Kimberley and Bloemfontein area for main line running with Class 25NC locomotives and, as a fitting finale to the programme, two days at Sandstone on the 2ft narrow gauge.
Local assistance was provided by Derick du Toit of the New Cape Central Railway. FarRail are well known for their meticulous attention to detail with their tours and recreating the past as close as possible. After five days of main line action, the tour arrived at Sandstone on Saturday, July 1st for two days of 2ft narrow gauge operations culminating in a sunrise session on Monday, July 3rd. Sandstone has a great deal to offer such tours as they have historically correct locomotives and rolling stock to mirror the halcyon days of the narrow gauge in South Africa. Such presentation is exactly what FarRail was looking for. Sandstone has the added advantage in being a self-contained network on private land with a heritage collection unrivalled in the world. Military vehicles, agricultural equipment, vintage buses, cars and trucks, traction engines and a span of oxen with original Ox wagons help recreate the past. Sandstone also has a bonus as a destination with onsite accommodation and catering. The Tour guests enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the event.
For FarRail Sandstone steamed three different ex South African Railways narrow gauge Garratt locomotives for the photographic sessions ranging from NGG13 number 49 from 1928 to NGG16 153 and NGG16A 155 from 1968. As a bonus on the last morning, the German built NG15 “Kalahari”, number 17, was added to the roster which was well received by the German members of the group!
The overall feedback is that this first tour, for so many years, was a resounding success, some obstacles had to be overcome but these were professionally dealt with by the organisers and Sandstone was proud to play its part in this piece of rail tour history.
We look forward to many more in the future. To start the process we will be hosting a UK group in May 2024.
