GEORGE NEWS - A concerned Georgian complained to the newspaper about the neglected state of George Station, a historic building woven into the fabric of the town's history.

"It is extremely sad. It is as if the property has been forgotten. This is a beautiful building and the railway can be of so much value to our town," said the complainant, who wished to remain anonymous.

During the newspaper's visit to the station on Wednesday 14 February, it was heartening to see that a team was on the premises to clear the tall grass and weeds that were taking over the railway. 

The clean-up was far overdue, however, on 27 February a quick stop there revealed that it had been a half-hearted effort. Only the tall grass along the rail line had been cleared and the rest had been left as is.

George Station is treasured in many people's minds as the departure and arrival point of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe as well as a stopover for many trains, like the luxury Blue Train, up until about two decades ago.

George Mayor Leon van Wyk in his February monthly newsletter writes that the municipality had met with Transnet executives to establish their plans for maintaining and operating their infrastructure in and around George and Mossel Bay.

 He writes, "Suggestions were made about collaboration that would be to the benefit of tourism, rail freight and the need for movement of fresh fruit and vegetable produce by rail. 

"Transnet has indicated that they are developing new business models that include the issue of concessions to operate trains on the rail network."

Could the historic George Station building be abuzz with people again in the future?

In January, George Herald reported that there is a ray of hope for the George-Knysna railway to be revived.

At the time Transnet Freight Rail confirmed that the tender process for the restoration and operation of the line is underway. The technical evaluation of bids has been completed and the "governance processes are being finalised".

Hopefully the restoration process includes Kaaimans bridge, which would open up the line to George Station. The outcome of the very lengthy tender process is eagerly awaited. Maybe George Station could be abuzz again with people in the not-so-distant future.

The outbuilding on the premises.

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