The Choo-Tjoe: slow turning wheels

[John Ashworth]

THE CHOO-TJOE: SLOW TURNING WHEELS

On September 18, 2012 Railways Africa

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train operation between George and Knysna has been out of action for over six years, thanks to devastating flood damage. The Western Cape Province, specifically its Department of Tourism, is keen to revive the line which used to be a leading tourist attraction. “The transfer of ownership [from Transnet]\ of the train is a priority issue that needs to be addressed quickly if we are to preserve the train as a heritage icon. The longer it lies idle, the harder it will be to get it back on the tracks,” Western Cape finance and tourism MEC Alan Winde said in January 2011. However, he is still waiting for a decision by Transnet on whether the assets of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe can (and are to) be transferred to the province. According to reports late in 2011, a Transnet task team was investigating “various operational models”, and Winde was supposed to get a firm answer from Transnet by November 2011.

The Heritage Rail Association of South Africa (Hrasa) wrote to the national minister of tourism some months ago, but was told that heritage rail is not his responsibility but that of the Department of Transport.

[John Ashworth]

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