The Sandstone Steam Railway – The Story Continues

FOR anyone who has not heard of South Africa’s Sandstone Steam Railway, this book will open your eyes to one of the most ambitious preservation projects anywhere in the world.

Over the last 30 years, a huge farm has become home to large numbers of withdrawn steam locos from all over southern Africa, most restored back to working order. Two separate twofoot gauge lines have been built, one featuring gradients of up to 1:20 offering passengers round trips of around 25km. In British terms, it is rather like Statfold Barn on a huge scale, plus the Welsh Highland, but all on one site.

The book describes the history of the railway and how it came to exist, almost by accident alongside long running efforts to preserve agricultural machinery. The trials and tribulations of first trying to operate the nearby state railway’s 1067mm gauge line with steam, followed by the decision to build twofoot gauge running lines that eventually expanded to form today’s 30km system, is described. Adventurous trips all over southern Africa to find and rescue steam locos followed, whilst the original farm carried on making money to pay for all the preservation activities.

This large format, hardback book is very well illustrated. As well as telling the story of the railway there are detailed descriptions of all the locomotives, rolling stock, and all the other non-rail exhibits (and even its wildlife, which includes meerkats) in its 216 pages. Very highly recommended. KF

Published by Sandstone Heritage Trust www.sandstone-estates.com

220 pages, hardback. £29.00