Ex-South African Railways Class NGG16 Garratt No. 113 hauls an afternoon passenger train through the Cosmos flowers on April 9, 2023.
JAMES ATTWELL
SINCE the Covid-19 pandemic the number of international photo charters operated in southern Africa has plummeted. However, April saw leading South African heritage railway Sandstone Estates arrange a series of charters for a South African group, organised by local rail photography company Stimela Photographic Events. Both steam and diesel hauled trains operated on the 2ft gauge system during the Sandstone Easter Steam and Cosmos Festival, named as the local Cosmos flowers are in full bloom at that time of year.