Sandstone Steam Gala Saturday 24 March 2012

An early start to see the morning use of “Kalahari” NG15 17. These locomotives were designed for use in what is today Namibia and came to South Africa when the track there was regauged.

These NG15 locomotives have large tenders

Also being used were the two “Lawley” 4-4-0 locomotives built for use on the Beira Railway in Mozambique. They were soon supplanted when the Beira Railway was regauged and many later came to South Africa forming South African Railways Class NG6. 

Double headed Lawleys

Among the road steam equipment being used was this McLaren traction engine.

McLaren traction engine

 

 In the afternoon, we had a trip around the line with NGG13 Garratt 49. Here it is at the summit of the Vailima loop.

NGG13 at Vailima Summit

Sandstone is situated in beautiful country in the Free State with rugged mountains and fertile plains.