One of world’s ‘most scenic’ lines could reopen in privatisation
AFTER laying dormant for many years, the stunningly scenic route between George and Knysna in South Africa was offered for private tender on December 18 by Transnet SOC Ltd, the equivalent of Network Rail. It is rare for Transnet to franchise a line unlike in the UK, where it has become common practice.
Transnet is offering “for the concession of Transnet-owned heritage rolling stock, use of permanent way and real estate for rail tourism and freight purposes on the George-Knysna Branch Line in the Western Cape for a period of up to 25 years.”
Jewel in the crown
The closing date for offers is March 15. Interested parties are invited to email Julias.Moeti@transnet.net. A compulsory pre-proposal briefing session for interested parties took place on January 18.
The line belongs to Transnet Freight Rail and is considered as the jewel in the crown of Southern African railways. Located in Western Cape province, nestling at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, it is 42 miles long and follows the scenic Garden Route, famous as a world-class tourist destination. Clinging precariously at times alongside the Indian Ocean, it crosses several rivers, lagoons, and the internationally famous curving Kaaimans River Bridge.
The line opened in October 1928, built to 3ft 6in Cape gauge with a ruling gradient of 1-in-35. Its primary aim was the transportation timber from Knysna to the sawmills in George. In 1992 it was declared a preserved railway and officially handed over to the Transnet Foundation (heritage preservation) under the name of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train.
In 2006 severe flooding closed the line near Kaaimans Pass, so
services were transferred between the less scenic George to Mossel Bay. However, 2011 saw these services stop running and it became the last regular steam-hauled passenger train in Africa.
Major attraction
Steam power on the line was provided by 19D 4-8-2s built in Germany, Czechoslovakia and the UK, and 24 class North British 2-8-4s. There are still working members of these classes in South Africa.
Should this route reopen, it would be a major tourist attraction to rival any line in the world, be a great boost to local tourism, and secure many local jobs, as has been continually proven. Locals support its reopening.
There is the also a future possibility of the return to freight for timber and waste transportation.
The contract states: “Transnet will make available the following rolling stock items (to the extent that it may still exist) for the concession programme: The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe rolling stock, consisting four 19D steam locomotives; two Class 32 diesels; two Garratt steam locomotives; nine side door carriages; and one guard van.”
The main issue at present is the extremely poor condition of the line where no maintenance by Transnet has taken place for at least 16 years. Considerable rebuilding is therefore essential, which will be extremely expensive and estimated at many millions of pounds. Due to its nature, regular maintenance will also be expensive. Transnet’s own description states: “Overall, the George-Knysna route is in a poor and damaged condition. Intensive construction and repair works are required.”
Transnet recommends the use of either a helicopter or drone to carry out further inspections, giving an idea of how inaccessible the line is in places.
Reopening has been attempted before but with little progress. Elsewhere, attempts to open theme parks and preserved railways have failed due to corruption endemic in South Africa.