Tag Archives: outeniqua choo-tjoe

The Outeniqua Ghost Train and the Little Girl Who Found It

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This short story was originally entitled ‘Die Spook Trein van die Outeniqua’. The title has been altered for the benefit of the mostly English readers here. “Spook Trein” is Afrikaans for “Ghost Train”. The story is written in English but the dialogue is in Afrikaans, making it very much a South African story. When Lelie and her brother, Rennie, learn about the Outeniqua ghost train, the bravest thing that they can do is go find it. Klein Lelie was nine years old in 1942 and she was really looking forward … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Official Website: Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Visit to the web home of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, owned and operated by Classic Rail. www.outeniquachootjoe.com Watch this site for updates on line repairs, and news about the process of getting trains running from the Knysna Station once more. Official site for the revived Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe – the beloved steam train that once ran between Knysna and George, and which we plan to have puffing again as soon as possible.  We’re planning to do this in stages: Repair and open the line between Knysna & Keytersnek Siding Introduce rolling stock and classic diesel … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Keeping the Choo-Tjoe Steam Train Dream Alive

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Fraser and Sandy Howell sent me the following Youtube link, undoubtedly trying to keep Knysna’s own dreams of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe alive. This video was shot at the Steam Festival on Sandstone Estates which borders Lesotho near Ficksburg in the Eastern Cape. The tanks were an interesting, South African addition:) Our steam train stopped running it’s route between Knysna and George after damage to the line from massive storms in 2006. Visit the Choo-Tjoe’s photo gallery.

Read the full article...
The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Save the Choo-Tjoe Trolley

Mike Hampton Posted on by

< p style=”text-align: justify;”> I bumped into Fraser Howell, head of the Friends of the Choo-Tjoe, and got to satisfy my curiosity about the marvellous train trolley in the parking lot at the Knysna Waterfront. We had a long chat wherein i, admittedly, played devil’s advocate on the virtues and non-virtues of saving the Choo-Tjoe. I admired Fraser’s passion and consequently asked him to send me a blog. He was kind enough to do so: We loaded the trolley in the Knysna Industrial Area at 13h50 on Thursday 09 August … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Dreaming of the Choo-Tjoe

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Steam billows into the air and the train hoots as it runs ponderously along the bridge, over the magical waters towards the beckoning forests. Harry Potter hangs his head out the window, wind rushing into his smiling face, inflating his cheeks and tickling his tongue. “This is what joy tastes like,” he thinks. “Knysna, here i come!” That could’ve been me but sadly i planted my heart in Knysna after the floods of 2006 which damaged the tracks in Kaaiman’s Pass and began the death of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. The … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Big Questions for Knysna Tourism

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Why has there been resistance (40 days now) by Knysna Tourism, the Tourism Board and its Mayor Georlene Wolmarans to release and discuss their budget? What are the 2010 & 2011 budgets and their allocation breakdown? What is the breakdown of the 2010 community projects and the project plan for 2011? What is Tourism’s plan to incorporate the whole of Knysna i.e. include Concordia, Hornlee, Smutsville and Khayalethu? What has been the practicality of the workshops that have been run so far? What is the Tourism’s position on the Outeniqua … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!