GEORGE NEWS - Repair work on the railway line over the Outeniqua Mountain between George and Oudtshoorn is well underway and is expected to be completed by end November.
This is according to Mike Asefovitz, executive communications manager of Transnet. He said the Transnet Freight Rail team is on site. He responded to photos taken by a concerned George resident, Steven Alton, of bolts that had been unscrewed along a long stretch of the line near the FM tower.
Alton said he saw fresh marks from a train that must have passed on these tracks.
According to Asefovitz, it would be the train that drops off the materials on site. No other trains may use the line at the moment.
They plan to open the line by the end of November. "The team is replacing old rotten sleepers with new ones and those loosened bolts are part of the activities they are busy with."
Power Van operator Nicol Marais said they are ready to operate along the mountain route whenever it opens. His business has been severely impacted by the closure of the route after the fires of 2018. He kept his business afloat by offering Power Van trips along the ocean route to Great Brak River, but the mountain route has always been the biggest drawcard.
"About 85% of enquiries I receive from visitors who are coming to George for this coming December holiday, is for the mountain route."
Unscrewed bolts are in fact reason for excitement and not concern.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
