SUID-KAAP: Choo-Tjoe dalk weer na Knysna

[Rustyb]

 

[Trailrider]

There are fears in steam enthusiast circles that our Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe locomotive trains will suffer the same fate as those kept at the South African Railways and Steam Museum in Krugersdorp where about 29 had to be scrapped, due to the damages inflicted by bronze thieves.

Friends of the Choo-Tjoe chairman, Fraser Howell, a retired civil engineer from Knysna, said this week that to get to the bronze parts of the old historic locomotives, axle-boxes were destroyed which render them useless for future trips. It was perturbing that in these raids hundreds of kilogrammes of bronze were stolen under the noses of security guards. The dismayed steam enthusiast said being inside a museum was no guarantee for safety.

Kobus Volschenk of Transnet’s Heritage Preservation said this week that all four of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam locomotives used for the train service are securely locked away. Two steam locomotives are in the Outeniqua Railway Museum in Mission Street in George, where the railway carriages are also kept behind security fencing, and two at the Voorbaai workshops and depot which is not easily accessible and generally closed to the public.

Howell said the Friends of the Choo-Tjoe are in the process of restoring an old railway inspection trolley (built in the 1970s) with which they wanted to keep the Choo-Tjoe in the forefront of attention. Pressure must be placed by Transnet to transfer the trains, rolling stock and land to the Western Cape Province, because premier Helen Zille and finance minister Allan Winde are quite serious about getting the train back on track. This was done with funds raised among the members. Outside funding will also be sought to keep up the campaign.

Active
Amongst the Friends’ members there are civil engineers and architects who are in the process of conducting their own survey as to what it will cost to restore the railwayline between Sedgefield and Knysna, which was washed away by the floods, so that it can be determined exactly how much money is involved in getting the service up and running again.
"Too many figures have been bandied about, resulting in confusion and people jumping to the conclusion about how impossible it is to restore the damaged rails.

[Trailrider]

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - It is almost five years since the Choo-Tjoe stopped operating between George and Knysna and nearly a year since the steam service to Mossel Bay was discontinued.

Transnet have abandoned the George-Knysna branch line and withdrawn the Steam subsidy. Last year SOUTH maga-zine referred to the "massive odds against finding a private sector operator prepared to spend the amounts of money on the Choo-Tjoe." Pretty much everyone has now had to accept that, sadly, the steam train will not return to George-Knysna line.

The economic recession and the resultant decline in tourism is everywhere evident on the Garden Route through to Plettenberg Bay: businesses have been forced to close and many hotels and guesthouses have gone out of business.

But there are glimmers of light. The Oyster Festival in Knysna continues to attract thousands of cyclists for the events that take place as part of the festival. Mossel Bay Tourism has recognized that ‘Cycling is one of the fastest growing sports in South Africa’ and launched a tourist brochure outlining the cycling attractions in the area.

The Garden Route Cycleway Association (GRCA) has, for a number of years, been promoting the concept of a dedicated, world-class Cycleway on the abandoned railway reserve between Knysna and George. Chairperson John Stegmann outlined the concept:

"As the first of its kind in Africa, it will convert the Garden Route into Africa’s premier cycling destination. A route as scenically spectacular as ours, retaining steam era artifacts and ambiance, and built to international standards, will attract many thousands of local and overseas tourists per annum."

South Africans are familiar with big annual one-day events and off-road mountain bike trails. We are not familiar with cycle tourism where families with young children tour a country by bicycle, nor do we see many ordinary people in normal attire cycling daily as a preferred means of transportation.

The Outeniqua Cycleway will provide all these cyclists with a delightful and continuous car-free riding surface, with easy gradients. It will take them safely from the centre of George to the centre of Knysna.

Free facility. The Cycleway, because it is free, will allow local communities to enjoy it and to use for transportation.
Operating. Since the Cycleway is a public amenity, it would be operated by a non-profit public benefit Trust made up of representatives of the local communities.

Unique tourist attraction. There is no equivalent cycleway in SA. The Cycleway will be a unique attraction, open all day 365 days a year.

Multiple users. A cycleway, although designed primarily for recreational cyclists, can also be used by mountain bikers, road bikers, roller-bladers, pedestrians, runners, hikers and the disabled.

Job creation. The Business Plan for the Cycleway estimates that 250 permanent jobs will be created. Prominent business leaders have suggested that this figure is far too conservative as there are additional ‘multiplier’ effects.

Economic and social benefits. A Canadian study in 2006 showed that touring cyclists spend twice as much as car-based tourists because of their reliance on local services.

Financing. Because the Cycleway is a public amenity, funds can be sourced from local municipalities and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, as well as from national agencies.

Sustainability. Once established, the cost of maintaining the Cycleway is low, which means that it will be financially viable.
Environmental issues. A Cycleway must be the most environmentally appropriate use for the abandoned rail reserve, allowing locals and tourists to enjoy all the beauty that the region has to offer in a manner that promotes a healthy and responsible lifestyle.

GRCA has stood back for more than four years to allow the steam enthusiasts ample time to find a steam train solution. During that time the potential benefits of the corridor have been on hold. Unfortunately the rail corridor cannot be a shared facility. The best possible use for this public facility would be as a dedicated Cycleway. GRCA now wishes to see the hard decision being made, together with a commitment to have substantial parts of the Cycleway operational as soon as possible.

[Trailrider]

Ek is nie so seker dit sal veilig wees nie. Daai lyn loop deur die voorheen benadeelde area en hulle het die trein met klippe gegooi.

[Prins]

TR

Kan jy nie vir ons so paar road-tests vir fietse doen nie... 

[Trailrider]

Ek het nou die dag 'n elektriese fiets gery

[lox]

Ek is nie so seker dit sal veilig wees nie. Daai lyn loop deur die voorheen benadeelde area en hulle het die trein met klippe gegooi.

nou wanneer ek so iets hoor wonder ek mos op watter manier het die trein die mense kwaad gemaak. die trein is mos onskuldig. jaloesie en onvergenoegd wees?

[Trailrider]

Nee, selfde storie as Lesotho. Toeriste het soms vir die kinders lekkers gegooi. Daarna het hulle begin klippe gooi as hulle nie lekkers kry nie.

[Trailrider]

GARDEN ROUTE - In a last attempt to save the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Tourism, Allan Winde will be knocking on the door of Transnet CEO Brian Molefe to try and get a final answer as to what his intentions are with regard to the Choo-Tjoe.

Molefe apparently promised Winde that he would give an answer by November 2011.
But since then, there has not been a single word on the future of the Choo-Tjoe.

It is not clear whether Transnet has looked at the existing business plan or ordered new studies to be done.

Molefe had indicated that he has a soft spot for the Garden Route and the steam train and was keen on re-lauching the service.

Read the full story in tomorrow's George Herald, and online.

[Trailrider]

In Heritage and Tourism Month, hopes for reviving the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe 67km train service between George and Knysna were expressed by the DA.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson Development, Tourism and Public Works MPL, Eugene von Brandis said he welcomed the investigation into finding optimal use of the railway line including options for using it as a tourist attraction, learner commute transport and even a carrier for refuse removal for Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and George.

He was referring to the business case proposal study launched by Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde, into the feasibility of reinstating South Africa's last remaining scheduled steam train service.

Winde told Knysna-Plett Herald's Fran Kirstin, "We are in discussions with the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) and the National Department of Tourism to seek a multiple-party partnership agreement with Transnet and local government." He was speaking, following a presentation by the Department of Economic Development Tourism to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Development last week.

Bottom line
Earlier this year, Transnet CEO Brian Molefe poured cold water on hopes for a clear-cut solution, by saying quite unequivocally in a Business Day 30 April report that "Transnet does not have the R150-million required to put the Choo-Tjoe back on track, but we will listen to anyone who is prepared to put up the money." This follows a Transnet task team reportedly investigating various operational models, including forming partnerships during September 2011.

After a nine month wait, Minister Winde was informed that Transnet wants to see a business case study from the Western Cape Government, which will assist Transnet in making a decision on whether it can transfer the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe rolling stock to a successful operator. Minister Winde said that the estimated cost implications of such a venture would need to be finalised.

Priority
At the beginning of the year, Winde expressed a sense of urgency about reinstating the service which has been out of commission, since the 2006 floods partly destroyed sections of the railway line. "The transfer of ownership 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."

In a Business Day report, Mr Molefe stated categorically: "The Choo-Tjoe rail reserve belongs to Transnet. We have not considered alienating the railway land and we have no plans to do so yet. The only thing that could change is if someone brought R150-million to the table. Then we could talk." This did not deter Winde, who in June 2012, reported that talks were ongoing but that a suitable operator has not to date been identified.

Molefe also dashed the hopes of the Garden Route Cycleway Association, who want to construct a cycleway on the dormant railway line, with the proviso that Transnet would sign over the property and infrastructure.

[Trailrider]

GEORGE NEWS - "Everyone who has been following the saga of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe since the disastrous floods of 2006 and 2007 will by now have come to the realization that the cost of returning the steam train to service is prohibitive."

This is the view of Dr Phillip Parsons, member of the The Garden Route Cycleway Association. The Garden Route Cycleway Association has been actively campaigning for the creation of a world-class public cycleway on the rail reserve since 2007.

According to Parsons Transnet has been calling for a private investor, but no-one is willing to invest the R250 million required to repair the line. "Recently it has reversed its decision to abandon the line and has appointed a task team to investigate possible co-operative models, involving the local authorities and business communities. However, these are unlikely to provide a financially viable operational model."

"And all the while the rail reserve and attendant infrastructure are allowed to deteriorate. There are also adverse effects on the region's tourism industry."

Parsons said the proposed Outeniqua Cycleway offers the opportunity to create a car-free, 67km dedicated recreational cycle way connecting the centre of George with the centre of Knysna. "It would traverse some of the most spectacular countryside to be found anywhere in the world and tap into the growing national and international interest in recreational and commuting cycling."

Parsons told the George Herald that the next step would be to investigate the feasibility of converting the abandoned line into a dedicated, international standard cycle way. "If the results of this feasibility study are positive, and all indications from GRCA's own business plan are that it would be, this would provide Transnet with an ideal opportunity to assist in the creation of a non-profit trust to oversee the operation."

Parsons said the next move needed to come from Transnet. "They can agree to co-operate with bodies such as the GRCA and work out a solution that benefits everyone. Or they can sit on the asset, allow it to deteriorate further and deny the region access to this valuable community resource. The choice is as simple as that."

[Smidty]

   het julle al die spoor gesien agter die mall?

nie 'n manier wat hulle pad gaan maak daar nie 

[Trailrider]

Die een?

http://www.saforums.co.za/rlt/index.php?topic=1049.msg21478#msg21478

 

[tok-tokkie]

Here is a photo essay about a 4 day trip by rail in Ecuador.  The line was in a similar condition to the George/Knysna line but it has been rehabilitated.  This trip really must be one of the greatest train trips in the world - putting the Blue Train into perspective & also the Orient Express.  Check out the switchback where the train has to zig-zag in forward & reverse to get down a slope.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/gallery/2013/mar/19/ecuador-greatest-train-repoens-rail-travel-in-pictures#/?picture=405658761&index=0

[Trailrider]

GOOD NEWS ! Local and National Goverment have decided to repair the Rail Road between George and Knysna. The main focus will be freight, but the old Knysna Choo tjoe will be the "Cherie on the Cake" ! The work will start early in 2015 - Donald Grant(Minister of Transport Western Cape)

[Operator]

Selfs in Suid-Afrika gebeur nog wonderwerke !!!   

Nooit gedink dat daar geld na hierdie projek gegooi toe sou word nie. 

[Trailrider]

GEORGE NEWS FLASH - The revival of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe currently enjoys a lot of attention.

It forms part of a rail regeneration project for the Eden District, and will be discussed tooday during a meeting in Johannesburg between delegates from the Western Cape Government and Transnet.

This R1 billion project includes extensive repairs to the railway between George and Knysna.

"The friends of the Choo Tjoe asked us to do something, and that is exactly what we are trying to do," said Donald Grant, Western Cape Minister of Transport, during the Eden District Municipality’s Mayoral Forum on Friday.

Allan McVitty of Classic Rail gave a presentation to all the mayors of the different municipalities in the district.

According to Grant, this is “at least” a five year project, which will hopefully get started by next year in April. “We are passionate about rail and we are passionate about tourism. We want this to work,” he said.

http://www.georgeherald.com/news/News/General/92121/Project-underway-to-get-Choo-Tjoe-back-on-track

[CK1]

Dis goeie nuus 

[tok-tokkie]

I am really pleased by that.  They talk about infrastructure development as a contribution to economic recovery; this is exactly that.  If an economic assessment is made it would be extremely difficult to say what it will do for the region but, for a tourist destination to have something really special and something other places can't copy is of great significance.  I think it will be money well spent as it will be of long lasting benefit to the community.