Over here in South Africa in a place called Ficksburg there is a large estate called Sandstone Estate that is a working farm, but with a difference.
The farm boasts some 30 kilometres of narrow gauge track and each day steam trains are being used to transport farm equipment and materials where ever needed. The owner has some 10 Garrett locomotives but many small saddle tank types that were used to haul timber and sugar cane on private lines.
Not only does the estate have the railway but it boasts the largest collection of antique tractors in South Africa. Each year the estate is open to the public for 10 days, usually in March, and the public are allowed unfettered access to the loco sheds and to travel on the trains.
The owner of the Estate, as you can imagine, must be a little eccentric and he often travels around the farm in an old military tank. Oh yes, he also has a working Foden Steam Truck.
Have a look at
www.sandstone-estates.com
10th May 2012, 18:18
