Clickety-Clack, There’s a Steam Train on the Track
The feeling you get when the bulk of a vintage a steam train slowly comes to a halt at the station is hard to describe. In fact, even when you did not grow up with trains, a strange nostalgia sets in. Then, you can’t help but dream about travelling back in time. Steam train experiences have been gaining momentum as a tourist attraction locally and Southern Cape Railway is one such railway company succeeding in igniting the feeling of nostalgia as their trains pull into the station.
A steam train experience like no other
It was a cool December morning when we arrived at the Hartenbos Station next to Hennie’s Restaurant. Ticket holders stood waiting in anticipation, and we unavoidably indulged in our guilty pleasure of people watching. Honestly, a train station – like an airport – is one of the best places for people watching. Isn’t it incredible how a mutual interest like travelling by train can bring people from all walks of life onto one platform? We love watching things unfold as people go about their travel habits. For us, coffee was priority and although it was nothing special, the café next to Hennie’s could put the coffeeholics among us out of our misery. As we waited for the train’s arrival, we watched little feet eagerly jumping up and down and parents nervously pulling curious kids further away from the tracks. Yes, the excitement was real!
Finally, the class 24 locomotive no. 3655, named Jenny pulled into the station. The oohs and ahs echoed amidst the clouds of steam, whistling and clickety-clack. Designed by Dr. MM Loubscher, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the South African Railways, Jenny was built by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow in 1943. Previously, she’d been used for Atlantic Rail’s tourist train on the scenic railway line between Cape Town and Simon’s Town. Now, she hauls the steam train between Hartenbos and Great Brak River on the Garden Route. Interestingly, the train’s different coaches date back to between 1920 and 1936, making it a magnificent step back in time. At the same time, the interior has been beautifully restored and they continuously bring in vintage chairs, couches and more to add to the vintage feel of the train’s interior.
Good to Know
- – The train meanders through Hartenbos before crossing the Hartenbos River Mouth. From there, it runs along the beautiful coastline, past Reebok and Tergniet, with some of the most spectacular ocean views. Then it descends and crosses the Little Brak River Mouth bridge, after which it stops at the Great Brak River Station.
- – The stopover at Great Brak River Station is about 1 hour long and there is a restaurant where steam train travellers can get a quick bite or drink before the train driver’s whistle signals the return to Hartenbos.
- – Tickets range between R295 for the passenger coach and R2400 for a private 6-person compartment.
When is the next trip?
The next trips take place over the Easter Holidays, with the steam train running on 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31 March 2024, and again on 27 April 2024.
