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THE iconic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train will be back in service on Friday after undergoing routine maintenance.
“The service was suspended for three months for necessary maintenance, but Western Cape Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Alan Winde and about 60 guests will commemorate its return with a trip from George to Mossel Bay (next Monday) as the guest of our mayor, Marie Ferreira,” Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said yesterday.
Some “unfortunate uncertainty” had arisen during the maintenance period when a number of steam train enthusiasts thought the Choo-Tjoe had been finally decommissioned by owners Transnet, but she was delighted the service would be resumed in time for the summer holidays.
“We’re not yet sure what the timetable will be, but we hope the Choo-Tjoe will again run three times a week in the quieter periods, and once a day in the season.
“This will have to be confirmed by Transnet, and we will communicate with the tourism industry as soon as we have the final programme,” said Holm.
Mossel Bay Tourism chairman Neels Zietsman said the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe had suffered a serious set-back when floods damaged the traditional George- Knysna line in 2006 and 2007.
“Fortunately, though, and at the suggestion of Mossel Bay Tourism, the train was re-routed to the George-Mossel Bay line.”
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