Sandstone Estates: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | '''Sandstone Estates''' (Pty) Ltd is a large commercial agricultural enterprise covering an extent of over {{convert|7000|ha}} on the border with [[Lesotho]] in [[South Africa]]'s Eastern [[Free State]] region. The nearest town is [[Ficksburg]], {{convert|14|km|mi}} away. Bought by entrepreneur [[Wilf Mole]] in 1995, today it is also a global-scale hub of transport preservation. |
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==History== |
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The farm was built up by the Wille family from the 1830s, who were originally [[German people|German]] [[missionaries]]. Mole bought the complex in 1995 after making his money from becoming the owner of the [[Nokia]] [[franchising|franchise]] for South Africa.<ref name="Times1">{{cite web|url=http://google.com/search?q=cache:sXvSoSE-BBMJ:www.sandstone-estates.com/SSR_Book/sh_twa_v5_n3_a14.pdf+wilf+mole+south+africa+sandstone&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=firefox-a|title=The Sandstone Steam Railroad – the first ten years|publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-07-10}}</ref> Since 2005, the farm has become 100% [[organic farming|organic]], producing wheat, soya beans, maize, and sunflowers, and is today held as part of a portfolio of international agri-businesses. |
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The farm was acquired by the Wille family back in the 1830s. They were German missionaries and settled in the area after trekking up from the coast over a number of years. The current owners, an International Agri Business enterprise, purchased the property in 1995, and are in fact only the second owners in over 170-years. |
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==Sandstone Heritage Trust== |
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Like many farms in South Africa, it had no [[narrow gauge]] railway to transport produce direct from the fields to the main shipping ports. Mole, a dedicated railway enthusiast paid for one to be built with his own capital.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} |
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While the production of wheat, soya beans, maize, and sunflowers represents the major business of Sandstone it has also evolved into a globally recognised Heritage centre. Old tractors which had been on the farm for many years were retained and slowly but surely items were added, donated, or acquired, which complemented the modest beginnings. The closure of the Midmar Museum in Natal prompted the acquisition of locomotives, rail, and rolling stock. This formed the nucleus of a {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railway|narrow gauge]] railway which runs for some 26 km through a number of farms and is recognised worldwide for its challenging gradients. |
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As a steam enthusiast, in the mid-1990s Mole was approached by Alan Clarke of [[Transnet|Transnet Heritage Foundation]], who realised the foundation did not have the resources to rescue the collapsing Midmar Museum in [[KwaZulu-Natal]].<ref name="Times1"/> The collection formed the basis of what became the Sandstone Heritage Trust. Today, the trusts main collection is still based around the railway transport of Southern Africa, but also covers an extensive global road transport and military vehicle collection. |
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During the 1990s Sandstone also took occupancy of the old South African Railways steam workshops in Bloemfontein where a number of young people have been trained under the guidance of qualified personnel, all of whom have been working diligently ever since, restoring locomotives and rolling stock. Sandstone now has 22 locomotives in use on the estate with another 5 currently under restoration in Bloemfontein. This collection of {{RailGauge|2ft}} narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock is recognised as being the most numerous in the world. An annual event, normally held in April, attracts visitors from throughout the world. |
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===Agricultural machinery=== |
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Finally, Sandstone's joint venture with the School of Armour's Armour Museum in Bloemfontein has led to the development of a significant collection of South African Military vehicles which were all relevant in some way or other to the conflicts which have taken place since World War 2 in which South African troops have taken part. This collection is also growing in significance and is attracting worldwide attention.[[File:Beira Ry BR7 (4-4-0) SAR Class NG6 a.JPG|thumb|Falcon Engine works number 232/1895, restored as Beira Railway number 7, Sandstone Estates, 9 April 2006]] |
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Old tractors which had been on the farm for many years were retained, and added to by donated items, all were slowly restored to opeartion. |
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===Railways=== |
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[[File:Beira Ry BR7 (4-4-0) SAR Class NG6 a.JPG|thumb|Falcon Engine works number 232/1895, restored as Beira Railway number 7, Sandstone Estates, 9 April 2006]] |
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The {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railway|narrow gauge]] railway runs from Grootdraai in the south, for some {{convert|26|km}} northwards to the main farm at Hoekfontein, onwards via Mooihoek to a large loop at Vailima sidings/[[Ficksburg]] and the farm's main depot at Vailima.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.farrail.com/pages/touren-engl/south-africa-2006-engl.html|title=Narrow Gauge Garratts and More|farrail.com|accessdate=2009-07-10}}</ref> The collection of {{RailGauge|2ft}} narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock is one of the most numerous in the world, and attracts large numbers of global visitors to its annual event, normally held in April. |
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During the 1990s the Trust took occupancy of the old [[South African Railways]] steam workshops at [[Ficksburg]], located alongside the [[Transnet Freight Rail]] [[Bethlehem, Free State|Bethlehem]] to Bloemfontein line. As well as acting as a collection and restoration point, it also acts as a training college for local young people, who are trained through the restoration process. The Ficksburg site is also the hub of a short {{RailGauge|3ft|lk=on}} gauge line, where the locomotives included artist [[David Shepherd (artist)|David Shepherd]]'s [[North British Locomotive Company]] 15F, and the standard gauge workshops. |
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The Trust presently has 22 locomotives in use on the estate, with another 5 currently under restoration in Bloemfontein. |
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===Military=== |
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The Trust formed a joint-venture with the [[South African Army]]'s School of Armour's Armour Museum in Bloemfontein, which led to the development of a significant collection of South African military vehicles. The collection is built around educating visitors on conflicts which have taken place since [[World War 2]], in which South African troops have taken part. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{ |
*{{Commonscat}} |
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*[http://www.sandstone-estates.com Sandstone Estates] |
*[http://www.sandstone-estates.com Sandstone Estates] |
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gXws8f2yGgM |
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gXws8f2yGgM Sandstone Estates @ YouTube] |
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{{Coord|-28.8449|28.0024|display=title}} |
{{Coord|-28.8449|28.0024|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Farms in South Africa]] |
[[Category:Farms in South Africa]] |
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[[Category:Railway museums in South Africa]] |
[[Category:Railway museums in South Africa]] |
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[[Category:2 ft gauge railways in South Africa]] |
[[Category:2 ft gauge railways in South Africa]] |
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[[Category:Museums in the Free State (province)]] |
[[Category:Museums in the Free State (province)]] |
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Revision as of 13:09, 14 May 2014
Sandstone Estates (Pty) Ltd is a large commercial agricultural enterprise covering an extent of over 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) on the border with Lesotho in South Africa's Eastern Free State region. The nearest town is Ficksburg, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) away. Bought by entrepreneur Wilf Mole in 1995, today it is also a global-scale hub of transport preservation.
History
The farm was built up by the Wille family from the 1830s, who were originally German missionaries. Mole bought the complex in 1995 after making his money from becoming the owner of the Nokia franchise for South Africa.[1] Since 2005, the farm has become 100% organic, producing wheat, soya beans, maize, and sunflowers, and is today held as part of a portfolio of international agri-businesses.
Sandstone Heritage Trust
Like many farms in South Africa, it had no narrow gauge railway to transport produce direct from the fields to the main shipping ports. Mole, a dedicated railway enthusiast paid for one to be built with his own capital.[citation needed]
As a steam enthusiast, in the mid-1990s Mole was approached by Alan Clarke of Transnet Heritage Foundation, who realised the foundation did not have the resources to rescue the collapsing Midmar Museum in KwaZulu-Natal.[1] The collection formed the basis of what became the Sandstone Heritage Trust. Today, the trusts main collection is still based around the railway transport of Southern Africa, but also covers an extensive global road transport and military vehicle collection.
Agricultural machinery
Old tractors which had been on the farm for many years were retained, and added to by donated items, all were slowly restored to opeartion.
Railways
The 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge railway runs from Grootdraai in the south, for some 26 kilometres (16 mi) northwards to the main farm at Hoekfontein, onwards via Mooihoek to a large loop at Vailima sidings/Ficksburg and the farm's main depot at Vailima.[2] The collection of 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock is one of the most numerous in the world, and attracts large numbers of global visitors to its annual event, normally held in April.
During the 1990s the Trust took occupancy of the old South African Railways steam workshops at Ficksburg, located alongside the Transnet Freight Rail Bethlehem to Bloemfontein line. As well as acting as a collection and restoration point, it also acts as a training college for local young people, who are trained through the restoration process. The Ficksburg site is also the hub of a short 3 ft (914 mm) gauge line, where the locomotives included artist David Shepherd's North British Locomotive Company 15F, and the standard gauge workshops.
The Trust presently has 22 locomotives in use on the estate, with another 5 currently under restoration in Bloemfontein.
Military
The Trust formed a joint-venture with the South African Army's School of Armour's Armour Museum in Bloemfontein, which led to the development of a significant collection of South African military vehicles. The collection is built around educating visitors on conflicts which have taken place since World War 2, in which South African troops have taken part.
See also
- Alfred County Railway
- Avontuur Railway
- Welsh Highland Railway
- Two foot gauge railways in South Africa
References
- ^ a b "The Sandstone Steam Railroad – the first ten years". The Times. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ "Narrow Gauge Garratts and More". Retrieved 2009-07-10.
{{cite web}}: Text "farrail.com" ignored (help)
External links
