Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe

As mentioned in this months steam railway,

the steam line between George and Knysna is no more... since floods washed out the line in winter 2006. Apparently some sources suggest the repair bill will be around 70million Rand (around £5.6mn) to repair. (Compare that to SVR's rebuilding costs). No work has started or seems imminent.

However the new steam operation runs from George to Mossel Bay, glossy leaflets show 3x weekly services (Mon, Wed, Fri) and daily around christmas.

Earlier this year I made contact and asked, and was informed, that as long as the weather is mild, steam will be on the front. Taking the risk I went in Mid-october. My flight almost diverted due to 3 days endless gales and rain I guess I was the only one looking excited...

On the day however Transnet 32-023 from the Musuem diesel collection was awaiting. Unusual in being a 1-co-co-1 wheel arrangement... but no steam.

Casually I asked, and was told.. there is a water shortage in the region and they we're doing their bit by not running steam ! (However in the yard someone was hose piping down some coaches, and next to the shed was a car garage doing a fine trade in car washing !)...

Later I was told steam hasnt run most of the year, no steam is maintained at George and only if someone (or tour company) chartered a full train will it go... so alas.. the advertising is fanciful at best, fraudulent at worst, but dont expect to see steam from George this year.. and (from opinions) most likely next year to.

That said, the musuem at George is well worth a visit, and the ride on the train has some excellent views (and amazing climbs) over the mountains to Mossel Bay.
At Hartenbosch there is a shed, containing more than a dozen steam locomotives (including around 8-9 Garratts) all complete and a definite few look like they could be operational (or have been recently). Sadly Mossel Bay isnt a patch on Knysna as a destination.

Will post some pictures shortly...

Also on the same trip I can confirm the Sappi Saicco papermill (live working steam) close to Durban is fully operational... with steam. Hopefully I may have oppourtunity at a second bite at the cherry before Christmas with another trip to SA.

 

Here's a gallery of pictures.

http://john.blokes.org.uk/c1781980.html

 

Shed looks even sadder than when I was there in 2007. Shame that there seems to be such a loss of interest in steam (and railways to a certain extent) in South Africa.

Looking forward to seeing industrial steam photos. Having seem someone elses photos there are some nice shots to be had despite a pipe running beside the line just like Bowaters! A high road bridge crosses the line at one point - hopefully you will be lucky with the trains.