THE SANDSTONE STEAM AND COSMOS FESTIVAL

[John Ashworth]

Story ID 2471497

412 words (T)

PR-COSMOS-FESTIVAL
SAPA PR -- THE SANDSTONE STEAM AND COSMOS FESTIVAL

Issued by: Sandstone Estates (Pty) Ltd

Attention: News Editors

For immediate release:

13 February 2008

THE SANDSTONE STEAM AND COSMOS FESTIVAL.

Sandstone Estates situated near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State

will be opening its doors for its annual Steam and Cosmos Festival from

the 9th to the 13th April 2008. The Estate is home to the Sandstone

Heritage Trust collection of Agricultural exhibits, Classic Military

vehicles and Transport Collection as well as the world renowned 2 ft

gauge Sandstone Steam Railway. All will be contrasted against an

expected display of Cosmos all over the Estate.

A full programme of narrow gauge action will be offered on the

railway. Up to 15 different locomotives will be operating during the

Festival including three recently restored examples, Kerr Stuart no:

4063 built in1924, originally Illovo Sugar Estates No:3: O&K no 2510,

built 1907 which originally operated at Huletts Sugar in Kwa Zulu Natal

but will be remembered by many as being plinthed outside the old Train

Restaurant in Midrand. The third locomotive is the ex Beira Railway

"Lawley" No: BR25 which is reunited with its sister loco BR7 for the

first time in over 50 years. These two historic locomotives will be

double headed during the weekend.

For modern traction enthusiasts Sandstone will unveil its recently

restored 230hp Bagnall Diesel locomotive originally supplied to

Rustenburg Platinum Mines in 1961.

The Steam and Cosmos Festival will not just confine visitors to

trains and flowers. The Sandstone Classic Military Vehicle collection

will be on display and giving demonstrations. A highlight of the

weekend will be the launch of the restored Sherman tank of World War 2

vintage which will be on display and demonstrated throughout the

weekend. To add more excitement the Sandstone transport and

agricultural collection will be open to visitors so everyone is

promised a weekend of heritage excitement and nostalgia. Catering and

refreshments will be available throughout the Festival.

Pricing:

Wednesday 9th April R25 per person

Thursday 10th April R25 per person

Friday 11th April R50 per person

Saturday 12th April R100 per person

Sunday 13th April R25 per person.

An all inclusive ticket for the full event will be offered at R175

per person.


Bookings:

Contact Hester Papenfus on e-mail hesterp@sandstone.co.za



Michael Myers

Sandstone Estates (Pty) Ltd

Telephone: (011) 805 4692

i Facsimile: 0866 148 453

Source : Ends /sss

Date : 13 Feb 2008 09:47

OrigID : LP8381

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Michael C. Myers

Office Telephone: 011 805 4692

Facsimile: 0866 148 453

Visit our Website http://www.sandstone-estates.com

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[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Who is going? Where do we stay (somewhere nice)?

[Chris Janisch]

I would like to get down for a day or two. You can stay in Ficksburg, various nice guest houses there. Cheaper option is the Highland Hotel which gives a packed breakfast with a basic room for about R200- which is what I paid in June with the Rodgers Tour.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

I would like to go for the Sat and return on the Sunday. I know John D and I woulfd liker to see the Sherman tank in operation! I will speak to him and see if I can get away. Perhaps we can share transport. Actually Tom, with his van would be good to chat to.

[John Ashworth]

Programme attached

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Stuffed again - I have to work on Saturday so that rules me out! Enjoy!