Full steam ahead! Excursion trains back on track for festive fun

The COVID-19 pandemic saw South African excursion trains pull into their sheds as operations were halted. Now, after two long years, the dust has been swept off these classic beauties and their engines are puffing again!

While steam trains are no longer used as modes of transport, they offer an exciting outing that many South African citizens love to experience.

With the festive season in full swing, there could be no better time for these family-favourite adventure trains to steam up again. An outing that will put a smile on big and small faces alike.

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November brought great news for the excursion train industry as they were told they were allowed to operate once again.

A popular steam-powered tour train has chuffed back into the Elgin Valley in the Overberg, as reported by TimesLIVE.

Ceres Rail Co (CRC) director Simon Beckett says bookings are flying which just shows how much people missed this novelty outing.

“Our plan is to keep the Elgin train running every Saturday and Sunday and the bookings have been quite strong.”

Simon Beckett

CRC is hoping for a jam-packed season after two years of no income due to the pandemic.

Umgeni Steam Railway near Durban are also pleased to be back in action. Relying mainly on volunteers to run the operation, the operation almost went under as a result of COVID-19.

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The CRC company went into business rescue after two years with no income. However, after just two weeks of being back in operation, they are pleased to announce that brighter days are upon them.

“As of the last two weeks, the company is out of business rescue. If it wasn’t for COVID, the passenger trains could have carried on.”

Simon Beckett

Umgeni Steam Railway chairman Ashley Peter said it was a close call but they are grateful the train is still going and that families have been pouring in for a ride.

“We hung on by the skin of our teeth considering that volunteer groups like ours are generally a hand-to-mouth operation.”

Ashley Peter