GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train is finally making a comeback after being out of use since the 2006 floods severely damaged the rail line between George and Knysna.
This is a huge relief and a years-long dream come true for Alan McVitty, CEO of Classic Rail and Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, the successful bidder who obtained the concession for the line from Transnet.
The state-owned enterprise granted the concession last year, but McVitty preferred not to have a public announcement made as some details still had to be finalised.
He said Transnet granted Classic Rail access to the line earlier this week. This follows a seemingly never-ending struggle that lasted for almost two decades.
In a statement issued on Monday 6 October, McVitty said his company has acquired all the necessary contracts and has found the much-needed funding partners to rebuild the line between George and Knysna, and to relaunch and run the Choo-Tjoe as a tourist attraction.
“This after nearly 20 years of negotiations and disappointments. We plan to open the line in two phases - Knysna to Sedgefield and Sedgefield to George - and we expect the first phase to take about 12 months to complete.
"A ceremonial signature event will be held to celebrate this landmark achievement made possible by a collaborative approach between Classic Rail, local businesses and Transnet Freight, so today isn’t an actual opening. We’re just sharing the good news with the public and the tourism industry that everything is on track and we are finally on our way,” said McVitty.
According to the statement, the locomotives to be used on the line are being repaired in Gauteng while the carriages will be refurbished in George. “The plan is to open a steam workshop along the line, and to road-haul the rolling stock to the Knysna-Sedgefield line to begin the first service.
"We are kicking our project off clearing the vegetation from the line so that we can properly examine and decide on which sections need repair. We will also have to survey the bridges as part of our front-end engineering. Project and passenger safety is paramount,” said McVitty.
They are not taking bookings yet, he said. “But early bookings are going to be the kicker if we’re going to do this successfully for the Garden Route region and South Africa. The rebirth of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe will bring even more tourism to the Garden Route, with the positive spin-off of much-needed sustainable job creation, and because of the company’s collaborative approach. Together with local businesses, everybody will gain.”
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