Choo-Tjoe revived in major rail revamp

GEORGE NEWS - The revival of the long awaited George to Knysna railway line and Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is back on track.

The good news forms part of Transnet Freight Rail's (TFR) vision for rail rejuvenation in the entire Southern Cape.

This was revealed at an Eden District Municipality (EDM) meeting with TFR and spatial development planners on Thursday 23 November.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the local municipalities inside Eden District Municipality and included Bitou, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, Hessequa and Oudtshoorn.

After an absence of more than 10 years, the Choo-Tjoe may soon become a familiar site on the George to Knysna line after it ground to a halt in 2006 when floods washed away a section of the railway line in the Kaaimans pass just east of George.

TFR says the running of the Choo-Tjoe on a smaller section of the line may be a reality as soon as December next year.

On 28 October 2018 Transnet will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the opening of the original George to Knysna track and their aim is to get the first services operational on this date.

Concession company
According to TFR a private sector initiative developed a proposal with a request for a concession on the line that will see the restoration of the line and the resumption of the Choo-Tjoe.

The private sector company, of which the identity is being kept under wraps until a process of due diligence has been followed, will provide all funding.

Transnet will lend support in terms of cascading material and by conceding Transnet assets on this line to the concession company for a few years.

Road to rail
Transnet also plans to increase the amount of freight that can be diverted from road to rail, reducing the number of pollutant road trucks that cause traffic delays and contribute to accidents.

The operational rail network spanning the Southern Cape runs from Klipplaat in the Eastern Cape, through Oudtshoorn to George, Mossel Bay and through Riversdale towards Swellendam and Worcester.

Three of the branch lines are inactive, namely, the Narrow Gauge towards Port Elizabeth that runs in George Municipality, the Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp line and the George to Knysna line.

Transnet also proposes a collaboration with all the Eden municipalities to move solid municipal waste by rail to the new centralised land-fill site next to PetroSA in Mossel Bay.

Existing trains can be used to transport the waste resulting in cost savings for municipalities.

The creation of inter-modal transfer facilities at TFR stations will enable the loading of any container from road to rail and vice versa and make available rail freight opportunities to any company in the Southern Cape, even those without direct railway sidings.

Trams
Transnet is also looking at using the railway line for shared services with trams and light trains between Mossel Bay, the George Airport, George and Knysna with secondary services to Oudtshoorn and Heidelberg.

This service can be integrated into the transport investments into Go George and other initiatives.

Tourism gathers steam
Transnet intends to expand the other tourist steam trains operating through the entire Eden DM. Tourism is a major focus and will include the expansion of the Outeniqua Powervan and Diaz Express.

The steam workshops in Mossel Bay will become the premier maintenance and training facility creating many job opportunities for the area's youth.

The current infrequent services must increase and offer a daily service that can be used to convince international tourists to stay another night in the Southern Cape increasing the economic spin-offs for the area.