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Famous south African steam train futures hangs in the balance
Latest news from South Africa, is that the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe - one
of the last few operational steam trains in South Africa will run for another 3 months until a viable business solution can be attained,as Transnet are selling off or rather ridding themselves of all non profit and non core business divisions. Running costs $80k per month. The train use to run between George and Knysna but due to floods years ago the line was washed away in sections and the repair cost is $13million for that bill, Spoornet does have insurance for that but it seems like it is not in their business interests to use. If you look on one of the views or in the Photo Gallery of the on the http://midafricam.co.za web site you can see the decay of the railway line across the famous Kaaimans curved railway bridge built in 1928. http://www.theherald.co.za/gardenrou...aspx?id=404285 The Herald Newspaper THE Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe was thrown a lifeline yesterday – but only for three months while plans are considered to save the popular tourist attraction. Western Cape Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Garth Strachan assured staff yesterday that the steam train would be kept running until the end of June. The Transnet Heritage Museum in George, which operates the iconic steam engine, was threatened with closure at the end of this month until Strachan stepped in. He initiated high-level talks to keep operations going for three more months while a committee tasked with finding ways to save the Choo- Tjoe completed its report. Earlier this week, staff morale was at an all-time low. However, Nichol Marais, the owner of a scenic rail experience in motorised rail cars from the museum, said yesterday it wasn‘t only the staff, but that the whole tourism industry was disappointed with the slow progress being made in deciding the Choo-Tjoe‘s fate. Strachan said the uncertainty was regrettable and he sympathised with the workers. His department was doing everything possible to save the Choo-Tjoe. “At the moment, the George to Mossel Bay train costs R800000 a month to run, this is not a small amount and that is why we got a private company in to assess the (various) recommendations,” he said, referring to recommendations by a steering committee looking at ways of saving the Choo-Tjoe. The train used to run between Knysna and George but the route was changed to George–Mossel Bay after the rail line was damaged near Wilderness in the 2006-07 floods. Strachan said with the economic recession, government did not want to cause job losses. “The report is on my table and, in due course, we will make a decision which will be in the best interests of tourism and the Southern Cape.” One proposal is for a shorter run between Knysna and Wilderness, as it is too costly at present to repair the three flood-damaged rail bridges between Wilderness and George. Regards Justin Miles South Africa & Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Railca - http://midafricam.co.za |
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Famous south African steam train futures hangs in the balance
I really do hope that this cycle track never happens and replaces the
raiway track,lets hope all lines get repaired, man the loss of that George-Knysna railway line will go down in history as the biggest loss for the GR area. Lets hope for a positive outcome from business, rather put a cycleway on the Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp disused railway line On Mar 28, 11:32*am, kilos wrote: Latest news from South Africa, is that the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe - one of the last few operational steam trains in South Africa will run for another 3 months until a viable business solution can be attained,as Transnet are selling off or rather ridding themselves of all non profit and non core business divisions. Running costs $80k per month. IT was a great loss to tourism when the August 2006 storms put a stop to the historical steam train running between George and Knysna and ever since, the W-Cape Regional Government (WCRG) has done what it can to reinstate the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. The service provider appointed last year to investigate this possibility submitted its report a month ago and a decision is awaited. However, if impossible to reinstate the steam train, a unique opportunity will arise to create something entirely new that has the potential to more than compensate for tourism losses, and at the same time benefit the local population in other important ways. South Africa has wonderful wilderness trails for walkers and hikers, as well as trails for mountain bikers. It also has wildly popular mass- start one-day events for cyclists. But we have yet to tap into the great potential of cycle tourism (touring by bicycle) and to actively promote cycling as a form of transportation. Commuter and tour cycling are greener-than-green activities that the country desperately needs, but one of the major reasons why we don't have them is because we have not provided the essential infrastructure that they require. A cycleway is a pathway dedicated for the use of cyclists, having a surface with gradients and sight-lines suited to cyclists. A cycleway must be entirely free of motorised vehicles - both for safety and enjoyment sake - but could accommodate pedestrians. The creation of a 67km Garden Route Cycleway (GRC), using the existing rail reserve between George and Knysna and built to international cycleway standards, will give cyclists a truly unique experience taking in one of the most scenic routes in the country. Such a cycleway would have the potential to attract many tens of thousands of touring and recreational cyclists per annum. Since the route penetrates urban and city areas it would also provide a safe and enjoyable route for hundreds of local cyclists as they travel daily between home and work, school, shops, playgrounds, etc. Studies conducted elsewhere reveal that cycleways that are scenically attractive provide commuter routes, are well constructed and well maintained, enhance property values and can entice individuals and businesses to relocate. Rather than lose the rail reserve should it not be feasible to reinstate the steam train, the Garden Route Cycleway Association (GRCA), acting in the interests of the general public, has formally submitted the cycleway proposal to the WCRG, via Knysna Tourism. The Association, as prime mover behind this exciting proposal, hopes to be actively involved in the design, development and governance of this unique recreational and commuting facility. Please contact the secretary, Dr Phillip Parsons, at if you would like to be kept informed of further developments, and to support the GRCA. Author: John Stegmann – Chairman: Garden Route Cycleway Association |
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Quote:
I know its off topic .. just wanted to share.
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