Crossing the Kaaimans River into Wilderness
Train with Diesel locomotive No 32042 from Transnet

The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe was the last remaining continually-operated passenger steam train in Africa, ending operation in August, 2006. The line on which it operated links the towns of George and Knysna in the Western Cape, South Africa, and was completed in 1928. The scenic 67-kilometre (42 mi) route from George took 3 hours, following the rugged coastline of the Garden Route,and passing through Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Goukamma, and Sedgefield before crossing a bridge over the Knysna Lagoon and ending at the Knysna station.

The line and steam service were declared an officially preserved railway in 1992. At first carrying about 40,000 passengers per year, the train was carrying 115,000 passengers per year by the early 2000s. 70% of passengers were foreign tourists.

The trains were usually pulled by SAR Class 19D steam locomotives, of 4-8-2 wheel arrangement with Vanderbilt-like "torpedo" tenders, although SAR Class 24 steam engines were also used occasionally. When dry conditions in the summer increased the risk of wildfires, diesel locomotives (SAR Class 32s) were used instead.

During August 2006 the line was damaged by heavy flooding, and train services were suspended.[1] In November 2006 the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe was temporarily rerouted to run between George and Mossel Bay (with a stop at Hartenbos).[2] This service was discontinued on 17 September, 2010.[3]

In 2007, the train's owners, Transnet Limited, announced that the train was not regarded as part of its core business, and initiated a tender process to dispose of the train to a new owner/operator. In August 2010, Transnet announced that they had not found an operator, and the train would cease operating. The Western Cape Provincial MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, said that he was resolved to keep this heritage tourism asset operational.[4]

In May 2018 it was revealed in the British Magazine "Heritage Railway" that while there was ongoing discussion between Transnet and a private enterprise called "Classic Rail," there remained no agreement to franchise the line and re-open it for tourist traffic.

In December, 2021, Transnet Freight Rail put out a Request for Proposals for the management and operation of the line. This tender closed in April, 2022. In September, 2022, Classic Rail announced that it was one of only two bidders in contention for the appointment.[5]

In 2008, the train and the Kaaiman's River Bridge were featured in a television advertisement for Stella Artois.

References

  1. ↑ "Outeniqua Choo-tjoe History". Archived from the original on 6 April 2010.
  2. ↑ Mulder, Jane (28 November 2006). "Choo-Tjoe train back in action". IOL Travel. Archived from the original on 7 January 2007.
  3. ↑ "Choo-Tjoe's last puff". George Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  4. ↑ "Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Reaches End of the Line". Friends of the Rail Forum. 24 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011.
  5. ↑ "State of the Choo Tjoe line September 2022 - Outeniqua Choo Tjoe". www.outeniquachootjoe.com. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
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