// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy Outeniqua Choo Tjoe late? It had a loco motive.

Outeniqua Choo Tjoe
Crossing the Kaaimans River into Wilderness
Overview
Status	Under restoration
Termini	George Knysna
Website	www.outeniquachootjoe.com
Service
Type	Heritage railway
History
Closed	17 October 2010 (2010-10-17)
Technical
Line length	67.0 km (41.6 mi)
Track length	67.6 km (42.0 mi)
Number of tracks	1
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Route map Station km to Oudtshoorn Transnet Transport Museum George 0.0 to Mossel Bay 0.9 Industrial St. 1.8 Pienaar St. 4.2 N2 10.6 Victoria Bay Rd. Victoria Bay 11.2 12.6 Kaaimans River Bridge 14.0 Station Rd. Wilderness 14.2 14.5 N2 15.0 Touws River 16.4 Touws River Fairy Knowe 16.9 17.7 Touws River (combined road- railway bridge) Serpentine 19.6 20.0 Hoekwil Rd. 21.6 Duiwerivier Duiwerivier 21.9 Rondevlei 26.4 Dennebos 28.9 Swartvlei 31.2 Bleshoender 32.7 34.2 Sedgefield Lagoon Sedgefield 37.4 Ruigtevlei 42.5 Mielierug 45.9 50.7 N2 50.9 Goukamma River Goukamma 51.2 Keytersnek 58.0 Belvedere 60.4 Brenton 63.7 65.2 Knysna Lagoon Knysna 67.0 67.6

The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe was Africa’s last regularly scheduled passenger steam train, operating on the branch line connecting George and Knysna along the scenic Garden Route. Covering 67.0 km (41.6 mi), the line passed through areas including Victoria Bay, the Kaaimans River Bridge, Wilderness, Sedgefield, and Goukamma. Passenger numbers grew from around 40,000 per year to 115,000 by the early 2000s, 70% of whom were foreign tourists. The line and steam service were declared an officially preserved railway in 1992.

History

The line was constructed to serve both passenger and freight traffic along the Garden Route. It became a popular heritage railway, attracting tourists due to its historic steam locomotives and the scenic landscapes it traversed.

In August 2006, heavy floods damaged sections of the line, forcing a suspension of services. From November 2006, the train was temporarily rerouted to operate between George and Mossel Bay, with a stop at Hartenbos, until normal service could not be resumed.

The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe ceased operation on 17 September 2010. Transnet Limited, the owner, stated that the train was not part of its core business and sought new operators through a tender process. Despite discussions with private companies such as Classic Rail, no agreement was reached, resulting in permanent closure. Local authorities emphasized the heritage and tourism value of the line, advocating for its preservation.

Rolling Stock

Trains were typically hauled by SAR Class 19D steam locomotives with Vanderbilt-like “torpedo” tenders. Class 24 engines were occasionally used. During dry summer conditions, SAR Class 32 diesel locomotives substituted to reduce the risk of wildfire. Passenger coaches consisted of heritage-style carriages designed for tourism services.

Revival efforts

After the 2010 closure, several proposals were made to revive the line. In December 2021, Transnet Freight Rail issued a Request for Proposals for the management and operation of the line, closing in April 2022. By September 2022, Classic Rail was one of two bidders still in contention.

On 6 October 2025, Classic Rail announced that it had secured contracts and funding to rehabilitate the George–Knysna line and relaunch the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe as a tourist service. Reopening will occur in two phases: Knysna–Sedgefield first, followed by Sedgefield–George. The first phase is estimated to take approximately 12 months.

Railway track in Goukamma Valley.

Inspection of the railway line in 2025 revealed natural degradation, including collapsed slopes, rotted or removed sleepers, and trees growing between rails and sleepers.

Popular culture

In 2008, the train and the Kaaiman's River Bridge were featured in a television advertisement for Stella Artois.

External links

• Official Site of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe