Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe gets rolling again – but this time to Mossel Bay

By Cathy Dippnall Garden Route Correspondent

THE Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is rolling again – this time between Mossel Bay and George.

The new route, announced yesterday, will link two of the largest museums in the region and give tourists an opportunity to take an abbreviated trip on the famous tourist attraction.

Operating from the Transnet Heritage Foundation museum in George, the Choo-Tjoe will travel along a scenic coastal route to the Dias Museum‘s maritime museum in the centre of Mossel Bay.

“It is an interim measure until we know the fate of the George- Knysna line,” said the Transnet Heritage Foundation‘s George manager, Kobus Volschenk.

Talks are being held by Public Enterprise Minister Alec Erwin, Western Cape Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Lynne Brown and Transnet regarding the future of the Choo-Tjoe and repairs to the line after the devastating floods which hit the Garden Route in August.

The line between George and Knysna was closed when parts of the railway were washed away, including an area of line on the Kaaimans Pass which was closed because of a precarious landslide above the line at Dolphin‘s Point.

“The temporary closure of the George and Knysna line opened exciting new opportunities for steam and heritage tourism in the region,” said Mossel Bay tourism manager Marcia Holm.

Passengers would now have the opportunity to explore Mossel Bay central – a three-minute walk from the museum gate – as well as exploring the Dias Museum complex which houses the maritime museum, shell museum and the Old Post Office Tree (used by sailors as a “post box” to leave messages for ships passing through Mossel Bay).

The train has been running to Hartenbos, a small resort with few amenities, 15km east of Mossel Bay, since the floods. The decision to extend the service into Mossel Bay follows increased demand from tour operators.

Mossel Bay tourism board member Louis Harris said there would be enormous benefits for the local economy. “Steam train tourism is a massive, almost untapped market for South Africa.

“We‘re hoping that once the Knysna line reopens, the two will operate in tandem with other lines in the district and with the Transport Museum and the Voorbaai yards (the country‘s biggest rolling stock refurbishment depot) to create a smorgasbord of steam attractions.”

cdippnall@johnnicec.co.za