Garden Route steam train to link transport and maritime museums

George – The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe will soon link the two largest museums in the Garden Route – the Transnet Heritage Foundation’s Transport Museum in George and the Dias Museum Complex’s Maritime Museum in Mossel Bay.

The train has been running between George and Hartenbos, 15 km east of Mossel Bay, since the Garden Route’s traditional steam route – the line between George and Knysna – was closed as a result of flood damage in August 2006.

“The temporary closure of the George and Knysna line opened exciting new opportunities for steam and heritage tourism in the region,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s manager for operations, Marcia Holm.

According to Ms Holm, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe will operate between George and Mossel Bay from the end of March. “The plan is to run three trips a week in the quiet season (May to August) and to operate every day except Sundays in summer (September to April).

“The train will leave the Museum at George at 10:00 and arrive in Mossel Bay at 11:30. Passengers will then be able to explore Mossel Bay central – which is only 3 minute’s walk from the Museum gate – and the Dias Museum Complex (with its Maritime Museum, its Shell Museum, the Old Post Office Tree and so on) – before embarking again for a 3:00 o’clock departure to arrive in George at 4:30.

“Both return- and one-way tickets will be available.”

Mr Louis Harris, who carries the marketing and financial portfolios for the board of Mossel Bay Tourism, said, “A special benefit for passengers is that the route between Mossel Bay and George offers breathtaking views of the ocean – views which you can’t see from the National Road.”

On the value of steam tourism, Mr Harris said, “Having the train visit Mossel Bay will have enormous benefits for the local economy as it will create an important new attraction for the town.

“Steam train tourism is a massive, almost untapped market for South Africa.

“We’re hoping that once the Knysna line re-opens, the two will operate in tandem with other lines in the district and with the Transport Museum and the Voorbaai Yards (the country’s biggest rolling stock refurbishment depot) to create a smorgasbord of steam attractions.”

Mr Harris stressed that Mossel Bay had no desire to detract from the value of the George-Knysna line. “Rather, we’ve found an alternative in difficult circumstances so that we can keep steam alive in the Garden Route,” he said.

FREE  for 30 days

 Email This  Print This