Garden Route: The project to revive the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train is on track!

Classic Rail, the private consortium that's working to restore train services on the historic Knysna <> George railway line, has released a first status update since August/September 2016. According to the update, which was released earlier today (19 February 2018), the project to revive the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train is on track. Transnet Freight Rail accepted Classic Rail's revised business plan during January 2018, and they are now attending to the matter as quickly as they can. We'll keep you posted!

The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train

Garden Route: Update on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe line repairs!

update (15 Sept 2016): Classic Rail has uploaded some pics of the team cleaning the line at Keytersnek and Red Light Siding.



Classic Rail, the private consortium that's working to restore train services on the historic Knysna <> George railway line, has released an update on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe line repairs. According to the update:

• the section between Knysna Station and Keytersnek Siding has been cleared and weed control will follow soon
• Classic Rail is attending to the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase of the project, which will establish its actual capex requirement
• the FEED phase will include:
• assessments of the retaining structures required to repair major and minor slips
• the repairs required on the causeway and bridges across the Knysna Estuary
• repairs to storm water crossings and furrows
• sleeper requirements
• Engineers are currently preparing repair options for the Donkey Bridge and the slip at km 62
• Classic Rail is working with Knysna & Partners to establish an "Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Trust" that will receive and distribute funds to the project
• Classic Rail plans to have its Knysna Dinner Train running between Knysna and Keytersnek by April 2017
• Classic Rail plans to have the steam-driven Choo Tjoe running between Knysna and Sedgefield as soon as possible after April 2017
• The second phase of the roll-out will include installing another turntable and a steam locomotive workshop at Sedgefield Station
• The opening of the line between Sedgefield and George will follow when other funds become available - and Classic Rail's ultimate plan includes the introduction of Road-to-Rail freight trains in 2020
• Classic Rail is forced to close the line to all unauthorised personnel; only registered site personnel and those in possession of an access letter from Classic Rail or Transnet Freight Rail may now access the line

Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train: Track repair begins on George <> Knysna railway line!

update (24 August 2016): The Knysna-Plett Herald wrote on 11 Aug 2016 (online edition) that teams of people (are) clearing the railway line between the Knysna station and Keytersnek and that a team of engineers have been in Knysna this week (wk 32) to inspect the bridges over the Knysna estuary! Fantastic news!

According to various news reports, Classic Rail Garden Route, a private initiative to preserve classic rail in South Africa's Garden Route and Klein Karoo, has received the green light from Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) to start restoring the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train service between George and Knysna. In the first phase, the track line between Knysna and Keytersnek, near the Rheenendal turnoff on the N2, will get repaired and four dining carriages and two freight cars, which will be converted to open viewing carriages, will get restored. It is expected that the Knysna Dinner Train, one of the Classic Rail Garden Route's first projects, will be running between Knysna and Keytersnek by December 2016.

Once the first phase of the development is up and running, work on the second and the third phase will begin. These will include the reopening of the track line all the way from Knysna to George for the New Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, as well as for other tourist trains and, ultimately, freight trains by 2020. The George <> Knysna railway line has been out of commission since 2006, when flood damage forced the closure of the popular Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train between Knysna and George. We'll keep you posted!