Outeniqua choo choo

[Dylan Knott]

Anyone know what the current line of thinking is? I heard they were considering 5 different proposals, but no idea what any of these are.

[Steve Appleton]

Not directly plugged in, but strong rumour has it that this line will probably have to be abandoned: too expensive to fix and no one is coming up with the/or enough money.
Simply repairing the line down the river valley from George to Victoria Bay is a poor option due to the fact that the hugely increased rain water run-off will probably mean similar washaways again there in the near future. Ideally the line needs to be totally re-routed, which would involve bridge-building as well.
The potential massive land-slip at Dolphin Point/Kaaimans is still a huge threat (may take out a portion of the bridge if it falls) and any action will probably threaten the national road as well. Fixing this will not be easy because I hear, the rock anchors/piles put in to hold the road after the last repair have cracked the rock formation.
The environmentalists are hammering on about the embankment blocking the lagoon at Sedgefield and want it flattened.
The washaways at Beverley on the approach to the Knysna Lagoon are probably the least of the problems.
Last but not least, of course, is the future or rather non-future of its owners, the Transnet Foundation, Heritage Preservation (TFHP).

[Dylan Knott]

Sounds rather bleak.

Its a pity a limited service cannot operate between Sedgefield and Knysna. There are two or three privately owned coaches at Knysna so all thats required is a loco.