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