Simons Town line closed

[allanroy]

According to a statement in our local newspaper the line is closed and busses will be used until further notice. No date has been set to reopen the line as most companies have closed for the holidays and they cant get anyone out to do the repairs to the sea wall.

So looks like it will be closed for the holiday period.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

A Pity. That should be used by holiday makers.

[allanroy]

The line is still closed with no sign of any repairs been started in the near future.
Took this photo today as nature slowly starts to reclaim its land.

[Ashley Peter]

I gather that the initial amount of work done on the line has proved ineffective and subsequent spring tides have done even more damage - unconfirmed report now puts the repair estimate at R8million - and private contractors will have to be appointed - the Simonstown line could remain closed for some time...!

[Steve Appleton]

Here's hoping this does not become another George-Knysna situation!

[Chris Janisch]

The longer it is closed the worse the prognosis; once folk get used top the buses running it is easy to shelve the repair indefinitely. Metrorail is very short of money right now, so I guess we will have to wait and hope.

[Dylan Knott]

How busy is the section to Simons Town anyway? Nothing lasts very long so close to the sea. I reckon the overhead wires won't last much longer with no usage.
Another thing to remember is Simons Town used to be the destination for steam trips as well. This could spell the end of steam on this section as well.

[allanroy]

The trains are full during the morning and evening with alot of navy personel who use it. There are up to 3 to 4 busses running at a time. I sent my photos to our local newspaper and asked if they could find out what is going on from metrorail.

[Dylan Knott]

Replacement of that wooden barrier or rotten sleepers to keep the sand out would be a good start.

Reckon Navy alone can motivate for section to remain open. It is naval land technically!

[allanroy]

Replacement of that wooden barrier or rotten sleepers to keep the sand out would be a good start.

What barrier do you mean? A solid brick wall was put up around the station to stop the sand a few years ago and works well holding the beach back.

[Dylan Knott]

The one in the photo.

[allanroy]

The one in the photo.

Sorry I should look at my own photos. In fact those walls cause the problem as the sand piles up behind them when the wind blows, its better no to have them.

News is that Metroraik is now waiting for a design for the rehabilitation of the wall and tenders will then be fast tracked. The actually repairs are expected to take 3 months.

So the Simons Town line is to be closed for months still.

[allanroy]

Metrorail is has put out a tender for the Maintenance and rehabilitation of seawalls and revetments between Glencairn and Simons Town stations.

Tender closes on the 3rd March. So it seems that this line will be closed for quite a while still.

And metrorail is not shy, it costs R2000 to get the tender document.

[allanroy]

Metrorail is getting ready to open the line as far as Glencairn.
http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... 108&t=6366

A barrier has been placed on the track just outside Glencairn station as the section from there to Simons Town is the damaged section.


Looking towards Simons Town


Glencairn Station

[allanroy]

The line has been reopened today between Fish Hoek and Glencairn. The line between Glencairn and Simons Town remains closed as major repairs are needed.

The trains are really making a noise along the track, I suppose once the rust rubs off it will be alot better.

Funny thing is no one seems to have told the busses that the trains are running again. All day the train runs empty while the bus driving on the road next to the trian is full, maybe the change over will take some time