Outeniqua Choo Tjoe - All Aboard!
Visitors exploring the Garden Route should really consider taking a ride on South Africa's only remaining steam train, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, as it travels from George to Mossel Bay and back along one of the country's most spectacular stretches of coastline. Start off your adventure with a visit to the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George, where you will get to see 13 superbly restored and preserved steam locomotives and coaches, a fascinating photo gallery and a host of models and memorabilia relating to railway history in South Africa.
The railway line, which was opened on 25 September 1907, initially passes through lush agricultural land before crossing the Gwaiing River and climbing the hill toward the siding of Skimmelkrans and descending into the picturesque Malgate Valley. The train then crosses the Malgate River over a high bridge. Looking down at the riverbed, passengers will notice large round holes which have been caused by water rolling stones over and over, eroding the rock of the riverbed over time.
From Outeniqua, the railway line begins to descend toward the sea, and as the train makes its way around a large bend, the hillside falls away suddenly opening up an incredible view of the Indian Ocean with its waves crashing onto the beach. Making its way through a deep cut into the mountain and the only tunnel on the line, the train emerges to another incredible vista including the St Blaze lighthouse to the south of Mossel Bay.
At Great Brak River passengers will see the original station building which had been erected by the Cape Government Railways, as well as the remains of the original railway bridge. Passing through Hartenbos Station, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe arrives at Santos Beach, where passengers have the opportunity to explore the Diaz Museum Complex and other attractions in the area before making their way back to George.
Interestingly, due to the ecologically sensitive area that the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe travels through there may be occasions where the steam locomotive will be replaced by a diesel locomotive to prevent any chance of sparking a fire. But whether it is a steam or diesel locomotive pulling the train, passengers are assured of a memorable adventure on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe.
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User Comments & Reviews
2010-02-17 07:23:41
Hi Bobby, The official website for the Outiniqua Choo-Tjoe is - http://www.onlinesources.co.za/chootjoe/. We hope you enjoy your trip. Let us know what you thought of it.
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2010-02-15 21:28:45
Hi guys! Could you help with more info? Like, does the Choo-tjoe have a website where I can book online? How much does it costs? Can you take the train just one way, say Mossel Bay to George? Anemail address would be helpful too. Many thanx. Bahama Bob
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2010-01-04 13:22:09
Me and my family just rode the train about a week ago and what a wonderful experience it was. The only dissapointment on our day of train riding was that they had to use the diesel loco. Not because of fire hazard, but because of water restrictions. The Eden Area currently sufffers immense drought. (The steam loco uses about 20 000 Liters of water per trip) The train ride was very nice, although NOT so nice as it used to be when it done the Knysa route. The only other problem I experienced with my small children, when we arrived in Mosselbay... NO EATING PLACE nearby!!! There is a fish restaurant next to the museum, but my children are allergic to seafood. Next stop.. Wimpy in the small mall... again dissapointed!!! the place is full and it is obvious that we wouldn't get a table in time. (the train stops for 2 hrs in Mosselbay ... 12H00 pm - 14H00 pm) My advice is... encourage / allow food and drink stalls next to the train stop in Mosselbay with adequate seating and shade. Or inform passengers beforehand to pack a picnic bag. We had to stay hungry until we were back in George :-) Oh yes, and a final word of advice... you need to BOOK your seats at least 24hrs beforehand. Other than that ... enjoy the ride !!!
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2009-11-26 09:48:25
The telephone contact numbers are: +27(0) 44 801-8288 +27(0) 44 801-8289 +27(0) 44 801-8202
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2009-11-25 17:14:39
We are visiting in December 2009 and would like a contact tel no. for booking the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe please.
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2009-09-11 12:05:06
To Colin Roper, Thank you for your interest in SouthAfrica.com and for bringing to our attention that the information regarding the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe needed to be updated - which has since been done. According to an official from the Transnet department that operates the train, it has been out of commission for maintenance, but will resume service on 16 October 2009. From 16 Oct to 11 Dec 2009 the train will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. From 14 Dec 2009 to 9 Jan 2010 it will run every day except Sundays and 25 December. From 11 Jan 2010 it will revert to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The train departs from George @ 10h00 arriving in Mossel Bay @ 12h00 and leaves again at 14h15, arriving in George @ 16h10. We hope this information will be useful to you and trust you will enjoy your visit to sunny South Africa.
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2009-09-10 07:39:39
We are visiting in october 2009 ,and would like to take a ride on the train,but I read reports of it closing,also you report states it goes to Krysna,and other reports says it stops at Mossel Bay.could you confirm,is it still running?does it go to Krysna? regards
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