Outeniqua Choo Tjoe's revival 'not too far away'

GEORGE NEWS - Plans to revive the iconic Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train are moving into a crucial reassessment phase, and reconstruction work is expected to begin in the near future.

Alan McVitty, CEO of Classic Rail and the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe project, told a capacity audience at the Emmaüs Care Centre in George on Friday 21 August that the project team is reassessing the railway line and preparing for a phased reopening.

McVitty has been involved in efforts to restore the George-Knysna railway and revive the Choo Tjoe for many years.

"We're in the regroup phase of the project," McVitty said. "Twenty years ago we walked the line when there was no bush, so we could see what was wrong with it. We decided it was fixable."

Much has changed in the intervening two decades, with vegetation now covering sections of the route. The team has cleared the line between Sedgefield and Knysna and is assessing its condition. Clearing is also under way along the Molen River between Victoria Bay and the N2 to allow the river and railway infrastructure to be reassessed.

The proposed reopening is being planned in three phases: Sedgefield to Knysna, Wilderness to George and, ultimately, Sedgefield to Wilderness.

McVitty said the project had received an encouraging response from people with engineering and railway expertise who had volunteered their knowledge and skills. "The amount of people who have come forward with skills and knowledge about engineering and methods of fixing things along railway lines is just amazing," he said.

The project involves three major components: the track, locomotives and carriages. McVitty said the locomotives may take the longest to get ready for operation. The team expects to have a clearer indication of the likely timeline within the next few weeks.

The condition of the railway bridge across the Kaaimans River mouth is also being assessed. McVitty said the concrete piers are generally in good condition, although some sections require repairs. The steelwork, however, has deteriorated beyond repair and will have to be removed and replaced.

"We're getting there. It's definitely not far away until we will have action," he said.