Friends of the Rail Forum

Creighton Aloe festival

16 & 17th July 2011

Aloe Steam Festival 1_1_1.jpg

Also Departs on the weekends of Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd & Sat 9th & Sun 10th July

Enjoy an amazing return steam train ride from Creighton, alongside the Ngogwaan river,

through thousands of beautiful & colourful Aloes where you will be able to take a spectacular photo.

Enjoy on Sat 16th & Sun 17th July an eventful weekend with birding tours, mission tours,

and dairy farm tours, plus a scenic Cycle ride including local choirs & Artist.

Delicious meals & a country market.

**** Bookings essential before payment****

Train trip options

****( Please be there at least 30-45 min before departure time)****

1. Festival Weekend – Date & departure times: Sat 16thJuly @ 10.30am & 2pm & Sun 17th July @11 am

Cost Adults : Sitter Coaches R180.00 pp or Lounge coach R210.00 pp

Children : Sitter coaches R120.00 pp (between 2 - 12 ) or Lounge coach R210.00 pp

Duration : Approx 2 hrs

2. A Special Sunday sunrise bike train trip to Donnybrook & an approx 40km MTB ride back through the beautiful Xumeni

Forest (Part of the Freedom Challenge route) & back to Creighton. Sun 17th July departs 7.00am

Cost : R250.00 pp includes train trip & guided bike ride back.

Duration :1 hr to Donnybrook then Approx 4 hrs return trip on your Bikes! .

Lunch : Delicious country lunch @ R50 pp on request.

3. Aloe Steam train trips & lunch – Departure time 10.30 am on all the following days Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd, Sat 9th & Sun 10th July

Cost Adults : Sitter Coaches R180.00pp or Lounge coach tickets R210.00 pp

Children : Sitter Coaches R120.00pp or Lounge coach tickets R210.00pp

(Age for Children is between 2- 12)

Duration : Approx 2 hrs then lunch at the Country Club (opposite the station)

(Bookings essential for delicious country lunch @ R50 pp )

4. Introducing Sisonke Stimela overnight trips - Departure dates Fri 15th & Sat 16 July (Also 1st 2nd 8th 9th July)

Friday 15th July

Cost Approx R 1710.00 pp sharing overnight train ride which includes luxury on suite compartments, Dinner & Breakfast.

Duration Overnight departs 3 pm to Riverside siding, train will overnight in the gorge/valley of Aloes.

Will return Creighton station 9am the next morning.

Saturday 16th July

Cost approx R 1710.00 pp sharing Includes luxury on suite compartments, Dinner & Breakfast & sunrise trip to the

Valley of Aloes.

Duration Overnight at Creighton Station Sat night. Departs 6 am Sun Morning to Riverside siding, on the way Stop
at the valley of Aloes. Will return Creighton station 9am.

The Aloe festival is on the Sat 16th & Sun 17th July ( With the Country club opposite the Station having flee market; Art exhibition; Mission & birding tours(R 50 each), country lunches & Sunday Cycle ride etc.)

The train will also run on the weekend 2nd & 3rd and 9th& 10th July there will be no festival but there will still be a delicious Country lunch provided after the ride at an extra cost R50 Booking essential .

The train ride itself is a 2 hr round trip with beautiful Aloe viewing along the way, it will make 2 stops:

1. For passengers to walk amongst the Aloes & for a photo shots

2. At Riverside station Entertained by local singing groups & explore whilst engine moves position for the return trip.

There will be egg & bacon rolls, teas & coffees on sale at the Creighton Station before the train leaves & refreshments & snacks sold on the train.

The difference in the seating lounge coach has very comfortable couches @ R210 pp. The other coaches are comfortable row seating(plastic seating) for R180 pp.

Parking is safe.

Camping (Country club sports ground) Booking essential

R50 per person

The B & B’s are also providing a wonderful 2 day weekend package

R1250pp ( includes 2 nights B &, B all meals; your ticket for train trip, & tea/ coffee before train trip.)

Bank Details

Patons Country Railway
Fnb Ixopo (code 220223)
Acct no 62029348085

******NB***N B** ref: Aloe then the (Date & time) & your surname (e.g. Aloe Smith 16/7 10am) ******NB***N B**

Fax no 0866314233 ***for confirmation of payment ***

****NB*** Please retain your deposit slip as proof of payment & to be able to exchange for your tickets. ******NB***N B**

As you will not be able to take cooler boxes or picnic baskets on board (due to lack of space), There will be snacks( rolls; muffins; crisps etc) & refreshments or drinks before & on board ON SALE or Lunch at the country club can be booked.

Directions Creighton are simple: From Durban or PMB. take the Thornville, Richmond, and Ixopo road. As you enter Ixopo take a right turn signposted as Ixopo / Donny Brooke / Underberg. Pass Ixopo (on the left) Travel along that road for approximately 18 Kms. and take the left turn to Creighton. Drive straight on until you go over a bridge & see the beautifully restored Creighton Station on your left. Parking is safe Distances from Pmb is approximately 105 kms and Durban 140 kms

****Please All bookings essential before payment to prevent disappointment****

If you require further info or would like to book please do not hesitate to call or email me.

Kind regards
Glynnis

Aloe Steam Festival
email: glynnis@toocee.co.za
Cel : 083 273 8037