Friends of the Rail Forum

Choo-Tjoe News
Edition 4 – 21 August 2009
MEC WINDE MEETS WITH OCT STEERING COMMITTEE

Earlier today [24 August 2009], [Western Cape] Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, met with the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steering Committee. Present were the Mayors from Eden, George, Knysna and Mossel Bay, representatives from local tourism associations, provincial government and Transnet.
Minister Winde was informed that the maintenance presently being undertaken by Transnet on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is nearing completion. It is anticipated that the operations of the OCT from George to Mossel Bay will re-commence by the 1st of October. We will use this occasion as an opportunity to re-launch the Choo-Tjoe, in coordination which the Municipalities and Tourism Associations in the region.
Transnet has assured Minister Winde that it will continue to operate the current service until it can be handed over to an appointed operator through an open and competitive tender process, preceded by an information and awareness session that will be jointly facilitated by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and Transnet. The purpose of the information and awareness session will be to provide a briefing to all stakeholders, affected parties and the private sector on the call for Expressions of Interest.
It is envisaged that the process will be separated into two phases: phase one will deal with the George to Mossel Bay line, and phase two the George to Knysna line. Although the processes culminating in the handover will be operated by Transnet, agreement has been reached that the Provincial Government will be meaningfully engaged on all matters leading up to the handover.
Minister Winde is pleased with the outcome of the meeting, and said that in order to increase patronage and boost interest in the Choo-Tjoe, he will ensure that the current service is marketed extensively at provincial and local level. Please send your comments to us at: finmin@pgwc.gov.za, 021 483 3531.

Choo-Tjoe News
Edition 5 – 25 September 2009
STILL WAITING FOR TRANSNET ...
In August, Transnet made assurances that they would have the Choo-Tjoe up and running by the 1st of October. With that deadline fast approaching, we got in touch with them, and after apologising, they told us that there had been a further delay, and that the Choo-Tjoe will now be relaunched in mid-October.
We are anxiously awaiting the moment, and Minister Winde will travel to the Garden Route to see our icon in action again.
Ever since Minister Winde called on the public to come forward with suggestions on how to save the Choo-Tjoe, we have heard stories of volunteers’ efforts to restore the Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. We found these anecdotes of collaboration and willpower particularly inspiring, and in November this year, Minister Winde will travel to Britain to see this beauty first hand, and hear about how its restoration was completed so successfully.
Minister Winde will also meet with Sir William McAlpine, best known for his work with the Flying Scotsman. From both visits, Minister Winde hopes to gain insight into the restoration and operation of steam locomotives like our own Choo-Tjoe, and will travel back to the Western Cape to inform his team about his discoveries.
As soon as we have a date for the expressions of interest meeting, we will communicate that to you. In the meantime, it would be great to see you at the re-launch of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe in mid-October (we will send you an e-mail once the official date has been communicated to us by Transnet).
Please call at 021 483 3531, or e-mail finmin@pgwc.gov.za, to give your input on how we can save the train.

MEDIA RELEASE
19 October 2009

MEC Winde welcomes return of the Choo-Tjoe

George, 19 October 2009: The return of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe celebration was held on 19 October 2009. Ms Cynthia Mgijima, Head: Transnet Foundation, performed the welcome address and dedicated the celebration to the operational return of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, which had been discontinued for routine maintenance per regulator safety requirements on 30 June 2009.

Ms Mgijima said: “The first two restored coaches would be used today with the remaining three being completed by the end of the month. She also said: “Today demonstrated Transnet’s commitment to preserve the future of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. She concluded by saying: “The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe brings joy, hope and anticipation of change to ordinary people’s lives.”

Mr Morne Hoogbaard, Acting Municipal Manager for Eden District Municipality said that the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe will also be enjoyed by the 2010 supporters and the Eden District Municipality expresses their commitment to making sure that “the train will blow out steam.” Mr Hoogbaard said: “The Eden District Municipality, in consultation with other municipalities, had agreed to the appointment of a project manager to facilitate funding for the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe within the next few weeks.” Mr Hoogbaard also said that “the three spheres of Government should work together to ensure that the Choo-Tjoe remains one of their icons.”

Mr Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development & Tourism said in his address that this was a very special tourism occasion. He thanked Transnet most sincerely for being committed to the preservation of this heritage rail icon despite it no longer forming part of their core business. Minister said: “The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is an icon that is known around the world and we must make sure that we preserve it for our children and our childrens’ children.”

Minister Winde gave the undertaking that Provincial Government would market the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe through Cape Town Routes Unlimited. The Minister said that the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe newsletter was designed to keep all interested parties informed of progress in finding a private funder for the train.

Minister Winde said that he would be visiting the United Kingdom in November and was in the process of scheduling meetings with key vintage railway stakeholders to gain experience for implementation in South Africa.

Minister Winde said that the Provincial government fully supported Transnet’s next phase of commitment, which was putting out expressions of interest through a public participation process to attract potential investors.

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Train left from the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Transport Museum over the picturesque Kwang River, snaked over the Great and Little Brak Rivers and ended its trip outside the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay.

Mr Neels Zietsman, Chairman of Mossel Bay Tourism welcomed the guests and introduced the Acting Mayor of Mossel Bay Municipality, Mr Harry Ebendal who in turn introduced Mr Johan Gelderblom from National Parliament. Mr Gelderblom said that the return of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, with enthusiastic marketing, becomes an important economic generator.

The event hosted by Transnet Foundation was attended by Transnet officials, representatives from Provincial Government, Eden District Municipality, George Municipality and Tourism, Mossel Bay Municipality and Tourism, UATA, SA Rail, HRASA, Media and various tour operators.

ENDS
Tammy Evans
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Alan Winde Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism

Cell: 082 378 2235
E-mail: tevans@pgwc.gov.za