I've heard that the train was also pulled by Class 24 steam locos before the 19D's took over the task in the late 90's. At the moment there are 2 steam groups running in the Western Cape, Atlantic Rail in Cape Town and Ceres Rail Company in Ceres. These groups have nrecently formed a partnership with each other and are now running as one business. Atlantic Rail have wooden coaches which are similar to the coaches of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe in terms of design but unfortunately don't have a large seating capacity. The locosused are currently a 24 and a 19B from Ceres Rail. Ceres Rail are using the coaches from the Union Limited and their locos are 2 19D's built by North British Loco which have been converted to burn oil because of the invironment they run in and the 19Bmentioned earlier. I think Atlantic Rail could also benefit from a few coaches like the ones of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe in terms of design, seating capacity and building materials as well as an NBL-built coal-fired 19D.
Wonderful to watch. This was my last stamping grounds on SAR as a fireman. I started in Germiston then worked out of Kimberley for years on the big 25NCs and finally ended up working out of Voorbaai. After firing the fast mainlines I did find the George to Knysna line extremely easy to work. Even hand firing a GEA garratt up Montagu was easy work after Kimberley. Looking at your clip around Victoria Bay reminded me of a night we were working back to George on a class 24 when the ashpan fell off. I had to get under the engine and unbolt it to stop it dragging on the track. Once back at George I packed the drivers well polished kit into his bucket when he noticed his shifting spanner was missing. "Where's my spanner?" he asked. Of course I had left it down on the track near Victoria Bay. He knew this right away and said to me "well you best get yourself down there and go fetch it". I replied "no ways am I walking all that way for a spanner" and he replied "don't be bloody stupid, take the engine" and sure enough off I went on this class 24 alone back down the dark track. . Driving a big hissing steam loco alone along a dark forest track is extremely scary work and an experience I will never forget.
@@smacksman1 oh not sure I would manage a mighty hand fired 15F out on the mainlines nowadays ;-) Think my soft diesel hands would fall off. However things might change as I got big plans to be driving steam on the mainlines again very soon. Watch my clips on Adventurescot here on TH-cam. It might or might not happen but here's hoping.
We stayed by the line in 1982, and rode on it in 1984. The locos were all Class 24 Berkshires. I was told during the 1984 visit that one of them had derailed when going down the grade from George. When we came back from Knysna, at the foot of the climb back to George, it started to rain. The crew detached two goods cars from the train, and put them in a siding. Then, we had to make a request stop on the grade. You could tell the driver absolutely didn't want to come to a stop - but he had to. When he started back up the grade, the normally "slippery" 2-8-4 was guaranteed to slip!
"RFP for the operation of the George-Knysna line In late 2021, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), the owner of the George-Knysna line, put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) from the private sector for the restoration and operation of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe on the line. This tender closed on 19 April 2022. Two companies submitted bids. As one of these bidders, The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe (Pty) Ltd assembled a team of track repair contractors, bridge engineers, hydrologists, steam and carriage restoration specialists, tourism specialists, and tourism journalists (amongst others). Most of the members of this team were also members of the recently-completed Kruger Shalati Train Hotel on the Bridge at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park."
What I would like to see is that Transnet should give up ownership of this line, privatize it and let Ceres Rail approach Elon Musk to plough back a few of his millions to restore it. It was and could again be one of the greatest tourist attractions this country can offer.
@@smacksman1no hope. But luckily southern cape railway in hartenbos (30 minutes away from George) opened last year and now does trips with a 19d from hartenbos to Groot break station
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We traveled on it before 2006. All my children with us.2006 my youngest son died.
Think of the happy memories.
I've heard that the train was also pulled by Class 24 steam locos before the 19D's took over the task in the late 90's. At the moment there are 2 steam groups running in the Western Cape, Atlantic Rail in Cape Town and Ceres Rail Company in Ceres. These groups have nrecently formed a partnership with each other and are now running as one business. Atlantic Rail have wooden coaches which are similar to the coaches of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe in terms of design but unfortunately don't have a large seating capacity. The locosused are currently a 24 and a 19B from Ceres Rail. Ceres Rail are using the coaches from the Union Limited and their locos are 2 19D's built by North British Loco which have been converted to burn oil because of the invironment they run in and the 19Bmentioned earlier. I think Atlantic Rail could also benefit from a few coaches like the ones of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe in terms of design, seating capacity and building materials as well as an NBL-built coal-fired 19D.
Wonderful to watch. This was my last stamping grounds on SAR as a fireman. I started in Germiston then worked out of Kimberley for years on the big 25NCs and finally ended up working out of Voorbaai. After firing the fast mainlines I did find the George to Knysna line extremely easy to work. Even hand firing a GEA garratt up Montagu was easy work after Kimberley. Looking at your clip around Victoria Bay reminded me of a night we were working back to George on a class 24 when the ashpan fell off. I had to get under the engine and unbolt it to stop it dragging on the track. Once back at George I packed the drivers well polished kit into his bucket when he noticed his shifting spanner was missing. "Where's my spanner?" he asked. Of course I had left it down on the track near Victoria Bay. He knew this right away and said to me "well you best get yourself down there and go fetch it". I replied "no ways am I walking all that way for a spanner" and he replied "don't be bloody stupid, take the engine" and sure enough off I went on this class 24 alone back down the dark track. . Driving a big hissing steam loco alone along a dark forest track is extremely scary work and an experience I will never forget.
What a wonderful story , thank you. I bet you still have the muscles of a fireman!
@@smacksman1 oh not sure I would manage a mighty hand fired 15F out on the mainlines nowadays ;-) Think my soft diesel hands would fall off. However things might change as I got big plans to be driving steam on the mainlines again very soon. Watch my clips on Adventurescot here on TH-cam. It might or might not happen but here's hoping.
We stayed by the line in 1982, and rode on it in 1984. The locos were all Class 24 Berkshires. I was told during the 1984 visit that one of them had derailed when going down the grade from George. When we came back from Knysna, at the foot of the climb back to George, it started to rain. The crew detached two goods cars from the train, and put them in a siding. Then, we had to make a request stop on the grade. You could tell the driver absolutely didn't want to come to a stop - but he had to. When he started back up the grade, the normally "slippery" 2-8-4 was guaranteed to slip!
Wow! If you had to stop on that climb it's a wonder you ever got to George! I visited Criccieth Castle a few years back. Great views.
While I don't like the idea of the end of these magnificent machines, you did a good job of relaying the character of this particular line. Thanks.
"RFP for the operation of the George-Knysna line
In late 2021, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), the owner of the George-Knysna line, put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) from the private sector for the restoration and operation of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe on the line. This tender closed on 19 April 2022. Two companies submitted bids. As one of these bidders, The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe (Pty) Ltd assembled a team of track repair contractors, bridge engineers, hydrologists, steam and carriage restoration specialists, tourism specialists, and tourism journalists (amongst others). Most of the members of this team were also members of the recently-completed Kruger Shalati Train Hotel on the Bridge at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park."
Thank you for the heads up. Wonderful news if it comes to fruition. That consortium seems to have a track record of getting a project done.
Wonderful video well presented and narrated. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Caroline, I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. My memory of the journey is still fresh.
I remember it in the 60's and 70's. The usual locos were Class 24 2-8-4's.
great video. Thanks for preserving and sharing the experience.
I so enjoyed your video. I am wondering if this old steam train is still running again.
Last I heard the line was still closed
dolly did a good job getting up those steep hills
They are apparently starting restoration of the line, carriages and locomotives.
That would be good news. Last I heard there was a group of enthusiasts eager to get going but Transnet refused to let them.
Yes! We (Classic Rail) are bringing it back! www.outeniquachootjoe.com/
@@MartinHatchuel What is the latest news, Martin? All the best for 2022
Thy got know proud this government.
What I would like to see is that Transnet should give up ownership of this line, privatize it and let Ceres Rail approach Elon Musk to plough back a few of his millions to restore it. It was and could again be one of the greatest tourist attractions this country can offer.
@@joeneethling I go along with that, Joseph.
Do you know what the latest news is with the restoration of the line?
Communism... it is great at converting capitalist-built infrastructure to rot.
@@smacksman1no hope. But luckily southern cape railway in hartenbos (30 minutes away from George) opened last year and now does trips with a 19d from hartenbos to Groot break station