This cynical version of the classic idiom was given a positive slant last week with the announcement that the Western Cape Government is giving R150 000 for a feasibility study to get the New Outeniqua Choo Tjoe - as the project is now called - back on track.
The revival of this popular tourist train enjoyed a lot of attention during the Eden District Municipality's Mayoral Forum last Friday.
Donald Grant, Western Cape minister of transport, and Ivan Meyer, Western Cape minister of finances, attended the meeting with all the mayors from the Eden District.
This project forms part of a R1-billion rail regeneration project for the district, and was further discussed on Monday at a meeting in Johannesburg, between delegates from the Western Cape Government and Transnet.
If approved, the project will include extensive repairs to the railway between George and Knysna, costing about hundreds of millions of rands.
Both national and provincial departments of transport, Transnet and the public sector are involved in securing finance for the project, said Meyer.
The Choo Tjoe last steamed down the 67km route between George and Knysna in 2006, before a section of the track running through Kaaimans Pass was damaged in mudslides during severe floods that hit the Southern Cape that year.
In 2007 Transnet clearly stated that the company would concentrate on its core business and that their business model did not include the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe.
On 17 September 2010 the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe made its way from George to Mossel Bay and back for the last time. It was in operation for 82 years.
"The friends of the Choo Tjoe asked us to do something, and that is exactly what we are trying to do," said Grant.
"This is at least a five year project, which we hope to get rolling by April next year.
"We are passionate about rail and we are passionate about tourism. We want this to work," he said.
Alan McVitty, from Classic Rail, who gave a presentation during the forum, was approached by the George Herald just over a month ago regarding the future of the railway line between George and Knysna, but he declined to comment, stating that negotiations were at a sensitive stage and that he had made a commitment to Transnet not to speak to the media without Transnet's approval.
However, the George Herald has it in good confidence that although nothing is definite, negotiations are paying off and that we can expect steaming hot news in the not too distant future.
On Friday, McVitty's presentation included the use of technology brought from New Zealand to easily load logs and waste from the rail to trucks. The focus of the rail is not just tourism and the idea is to use rail rather than roads to transport logs and waste products, said Grant.
According to Trevor Botha, George municipal manager, a lot of negotiations still have to take place.
"Funding is an issue," he said. "But it will definitely be to the advantage of the whole region if the Choo Tjoe is back in business. The train was a popular tourist attraction. There is also the possibility to utilise the Choo Tjoe for every day commuters between Mossel Bay, George and Knysna."
Alan McVitty (left), from Classic Rail, gave a presentation during the forum. Classic Rail is a private company, working in partnership with Transnet Freight Rail on this project. According to McVitty, one train set will be used, with 20 journeys per week, and four routes between George, Knysna and Sedgefield.
ARTICLE: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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