2011 STEAM GALA
The Sandstone Heritage Trust 2011 Steam Gala is over and the photographs are starting to come in. A lot happened and although relatively few people attended they were treated to some spectacular photographic opportunities. The highlight was undoubtedly the 3 x NGG16’s and one NGG13 working together. Undoubtedly a first in the world.
As is customary at the Sandstone Heritage Trust many other items complemented the 2-ft Narrow Gauge Rail activities on a daily basis.
In this picture a rare Marshall MP6 tractor waits at the level crossing towing a rare CAT R2 Dozer.
Another advantage of steaming four Garratts at one time is we were able to place them together on four adjacent lines for a photo opportunity.
For those fortunate enough to watch four Garratts thundering through the beautiful Eastern Free State on a sunny April afternoon was enough to give one Goosebumps.
You could chase the train with a 1901 B5 Traction engine, a 1951 F100 Ford, a Mk IV Sherman, a Saracen, a Caspir, or any one of dozens of other possibilities in the Agricultural, Military or Steam categories.
The magic of Model Engineering
Charles Viljoen brought his beautifully engineered 1904 Arnold Jung locomotive and placed it on display for the guests.
Thank you Charles, your efforts were much appreciated.
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Our two venerable old buses performed a great service transporting photographers ahead of the trains so they could always be in the right place at the right time. This is our lovely old Bristol bus which featured in the film “Cry the beloved country”.
Our AEC, which has been on the farm for many years and which was donated to the Sandstone Heritage Trust by John Allen, was also pressed into service where required.
This line-up of old items waiting to cross the railway line include a 1927 Chev, a 1947 John Deere Model H, a 1953 Field Marshall Series III, and of course our Bristol in the foreground. A team of oxen can be seen in the distance.
A Bristol load of passengers is forced to take to the lands to overtake the majestic B5 Fowler Road Locomotive trundling back from a photo shoot.
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BSA Rail Car
Our BSA was a great attraction. It was very useful if one wanted to follow a train or just take a few guests on a ride.
Hans Hermann (sitting) was one of the guests who enjoyed a ride in the Rail Car with his sister and brother-in-law from Hamburg, Germany.
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Patrick Polo, a visitor from Switzerland, attended our Gala in 2010 and was at Sandstone throughout the 2011 Steam Gala.
Patrick has always been very generous in providing beautiful photographs taken at previous events.
This is a photo of Patrick posing with a few of the many framed photographs that he donated to the Sandstone Heritage Trust. These are hanging on the wall in the main office.
Sandstone Heritage Trust steams four Garratts for select group of international visitors
On Sunday afternoon, 10th April 2011, a combined crew of South African and international drivers and firemen drove four Sandstone Garratts into the record books by operating a single train over sections of the Sandstone network. NGG16, No. 153, NGG16, No. 113, NGG16, No. 88, and NGG13, No. 49 operated together pulling a 35 wagon train through the Cosmos in the beautiful Eastern Free State.
The occasion was the 2011 Sandstone Heritage Trust Steam Gala which runs from 9th to 16th April 2011.
The weather has been impeccable throughout the event thus far but on Sunday afternoon big storm clouds came in over Lesotho and for a short while blocked out the sun – at exactly the same time that the photographers were lined up to record this momentous event. Nonetheless, the first pictures that have come in do justice to the occasion.
Ron Nell of Frameline Film & Television was on hand to record the event and a DVD of the entire week’s proceedings will be available in a few months time. Should you be interested in receiving details of this top class DVD production please record your interest by e-mailing Joanne West at joannewest@btinternet.com.
Photo Gallery
Photo credit: David Benn
Photo credit: David Benn
Photo credit: Wilfred Mole
Photo credit: Wilfred Mole
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Dennis Moore has just sent us the following photographs which he took during the course of the event.
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David Benn, always the first to make his magnificent photographs available, has supplied the following photographs.
David is still out there taking photographs so expect more great pictures to follow.
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Photo credit: Wilfred Mole
Photo credit: Wilfred Mole
Photo credit: Wilfred Mole
Photo credit: Wilfred Mole
Photo credit: Ernst Pfeffer
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Hannes Paling has just supplied us with these exceptional photos which he took during the course of the event.
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Photos by Peter Randall
