- Joined
- Jan 24, 2006
- Messages
- 5,166
- Reaction score
- 352
- Location
- Brakpan, South Africa
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS HP2
In 2008 I visited Sandtsone Estate for the first time, and we had an awesome time. See ride report here https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=16831.0
Their website: https://www.sandstone-estates.com/
When I received an e-mail early this year to say the event was happening again, I jumped at the opportunity and so did all my mates who are all kind of petrol heads.
Sandstone Estate is the property of Mr Wilfred Mole, apparently he is the big boss if Nokia SA. He has a passion for anything driven by steam and has a collection of ± 53 narrow gauge steam locomotives that roam his farm on a weekend like this as well as a collection of old tractors, cars and lately some military vehicles as well.
This year they are going to unveil the Kalahari, a new machine recently restored, with the events starting on Friday 23 Mar and ending on 1 April. Unfortunately we could not stay the entire week, so decided to go down for the weekend.
Saturday morning bright and early we left for the eastern freestate.
My office for the weekend, best time of day to ride a bike, this new ’12 Adv is really a pleasure to ride…..
Antonie was riding a XR650L which he is considering to buy for our July trip to Angola, as his Adv is too heavy for that purpose. All I can say this bike is very heavy on juice, yes I know it’s got running in jets and stuff, but 14 km/l is heavy no matter what you say.
Our group consisted of 18 people in all, and needless to sday, not everybody follows instructions, so in no time guys were advancing towards Kroonstad on three different routes. We eventually met up in Kroonstad where we had a quick breakfast.
I gave the okes a bit of an uittrap and hoped that in future they would wait for the person behind at a turn and then continued. The rest of the trip went surprisingly smooth, and despite a very ****** road between Senekal and Ficksburg we stopped at Sandstone Estate around 12 noon.
Soon we were settled and ready to explore the farm and all it had to offer. SO less talking ond more photos.
Jimmie blocked our way as we arrived, but eventually we could cross the track and continue to the camping site.
This man was having a warm hot day in this compartment
True to tradition we headed for some liquid refreshments and the “Kaap was Hollands”
Three generations of Fitsgerald’s, Patman with his father and son.
A selection of stunning photo’s in the restaurant….
Some stunning steam tractors……
I wonder if these are the same guys that built the McLaren race car
Then we moved to the more important matters
Narrow gauge tracks..
At 3pm we all boarder a train and set off on a route that would take us on the steepest incline for trains in the world. We had some refreshments and a good time was had by all..
We drove past some spectacular exhibits..
… of course the tip of my heart, still in mint condition.
Scenery shots..
Wilfred Mole and his son observing the proceedings followed by a bus full of European Steam heads with cameras
This engine was working hard up the mountain
Dis mos Mielies
Photo of the photographers
Heading for the steepest section
Then somehow the train managed to derail… well rather the front two wheels jumped off the track, not sure how or why. Of course by this time we were all in a very festive mood
Trouble makers
Sign on the old bus
……and the company that restored it to it’s former glory
The derailment
This wheel must be inside the track (the other side)
Interesting sign on Wilfred’s t-shirt
These okes arrived and in no time they had the train back on it track. A V shaped piece of metal was used to jump the wheels back in place as the train reversed
Soon we were ready to go, but had to walk a 100m or so for the train to get past the section where the track caused the derailment.
All this huffing and puffing chowed a lot of water so this tanker was brought to replenish the water tank on the train
Later afternoon with the setting son
Heading back to the Estate
Suddenly a Sherman tank appeared and raced us – the train lost badly
Then it was time to kuier some more
Our campsite early morning
Mint condition Willy’s
According to Wilfred, this single cylinder diesel motor will idle all day on 4 litres of diesel. Still running like clockwork
Few more sights and sounds of the Sandstone Estate
The farm is still fully functional
Don’t you just love a 16 valve motor, as long as it’s got 4 extra pistons
Classic Ford from way back
Steam truck
There are about 8 of these hangers full of classics
………..in all shapes and sizes
The train repair centre
Wilfred’s 1951 Land Rover Series 1, started at the first crank and run’s like clockwork….
Having served in the military for quite a while, my friends and I were asked to drive the military vehicles on an Ad Hoc parade
Excalibur longing for his days as a support trooper (Armour Infantryman)
The view from my seat behind very thick class
Running smoothly
Wilfred chatting to us – what a down to earth guy he is.
Everywhere photo’s were being taken
Just to confirm , I want one like this…….
Then it was Sunday lunch time and we had to head home past Clarens
At one of the Petro Ports we saw the Honda Honda DS bike. Awesome looking piece of machinery. Check those vario panniers
Shaft Drive
Side View
Unfortunately this place is not open to the public. Mr Mole says at his last open day several carburettors, coils and other priceless items were stolen off his exhibits. His Model T Ford had it headlight removed by some or other farker. You don’t just drive to your nearest Midas and go and collect another, so he no longer do open days to Jan Public.
Thanks to all the maats who joined. I had an awesome time. Glad we’re all back safe and had the chance to share in this unique event.
Their website: https://www.sandstone-estates.com/
When I received an e-mail early this year to say the event was happening again, I jumped at the opportunity and so did all my mates who are all kind of petrol heads.
Sandstone Estate is the property of Mr Wilfred Mole, apparently he is the big boss if Nokia SA. He has a passion for anything driven by steam and has a collection of ± 53 narrow gauge steam locomotives that roam his farm on a weekend like this as well as a collection of old tractors, cars and lately some military vehicles as well.
This year they are going to unveil the Kalahari, a new machine recently restored, with the events starting on Friday 23 Mar and ending on 1 April. Unfortunately we could not stay the entire week, so decided to go down for the weekend.
Saturday morning bright and early we left for the eastern freestate.
My office for the weekend, best time of day to ride a bike, this new ’12 Adv is really a pleasure to ride…..
Antonie was riding a XR650L which he is considering to buy for our July trip to Angola, as his Adv is too heavy for that purpose. All I can say this bike is very heavy on juice, yes I know it’s got running in jets and stuff, but 14 km/l is heavy no matter what you say.
Our group consisted of 18 people in all, and needless to sday, not everybody follows instructions, so in no time guys were advancing towards Kroonstad on three different routes. We eventually met up in Kroonstad where we had a quick breakfast.
I gave the okes a bit of an uittrap and hoped that in future they would wait for the person behind at a turn and then continued. The rest of the trip went surprisingly smooth, and despite a very ****** road between Senekal and Ficksburg we stopped at Sandstone Estate around 12 noon.
Soon we were settled and ready to explore the farm and all it had to offer. SO less talking ond more photos.
Jimmie blocked our way as we arrived, but eventually we could cross the track and continue to the camping site.
This man was having a warm hot day in this compartment
True to tradition we headed for some liquid refreshments and the “Kaap was Hollands”
Three generations of Fitsgerald’s, Patman with his father and son.
A selection of stunning photo’s in the restaurant….
Some stunning steam tractors……
I wonder if these are the same guys that built the McLaren race car
Then we moved to the more important matters
Narrow gauge tracks..
At 3pm we all boarder a train and set off on a route that would take us on the steepest incline for trains in the world. We had some refreshments and a good time was had by all..
We drove past some spectacular exhibits..
… of course the tip of my heart, still in mint condition.
Scenery shots..
Wilfred Mole and his son observing the proceedings followed by a bus full of European Steam heads with cameras
This engine was working hard up the mountain
Dis mos Mielies
Photo of the photographers
Heading for the steepest section
Then somehow the train managed to derail… well rather the front two wheels jumped off the track, not sure how or why. Of course by this time we were all in a very festive mood
Trouble makers
Sign on the old bus
……and the company that restored it to it’s former glory
The derailment
This wheel must be inside the track (the other side)
Interesting sign on Wilfred’s t-shirt
These okes arrived and in no time they had the train back on it track. A V shaped piece of metal was used to jump the wheels back in place as the train reversed
Soon we were ready to go, but had to walk a 100m or so for the train to get past the section where the track caused the derailment.
All this huffing and puffing chowed a lot of water so this tanker was brought to replenish the water tank on the train
Later afternoon with the setting son
Heading back to the Estate
Suddenly a Sherman tank appeared and raced us – the train lost badly
Then it was time to kuier some more
Our campsite early morning
Mint condition Willy’s
According to Wilfred, this single cylinder diesel motor will idle all day on 4 litres of diesel. Still running like clockwork
Few more sights and sounds of the Sandstone Estate
The farm is still fully functional
Don’t you just love a 16 valve motor, as long as it’s got 4 extra pistons
Classic Ford from way back
Steam truck
There are about 8 of these hangers full of classics
………..in all shapes and sizes
The train repair centre
Wilfred’s 1951 Land Rover Series 1, started at the first crank and run’s like clockwork….
Having served in the military for quite a while, my friends and I were asked to drive the military vehicles on an Ad Hoc parade
Excalibur longing for his days as a support trooper (Armour Infantryman)
The view from my seat behind very thick class
Running smoothly
Wilfred chatting to us – what a down to earth guy he is.
Everywhere photo’s were being taken
Just to confirm , I want one like this…….
Then it was Sunday lunch time and we had to head home past Clarens
At one of the Petro Ports we saw the Honda Honda DS bike. Awesome looking piece of machinery. Check those vario panniers
Shaft Drive
Side View
Unfortunately this place is not open to the public. Mr Mole says at his last open day several carburettors, coils and other priceless items were stolen off his exhibits. His Model T Ford had it headlight removed by some or other farker. You don’t just drive to your nearest Midas and go and collect another, so he no longer do open days to Jan Public.
Thanks to all the maats who joined. I had an awesome time. Glad we’re all back safe and had the chance to share in this unique event.
