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AFRICA’S last commercial steam locomotive, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, has been put up for sale.
The owners, Transnet, want to focus on core rail freight operations and have called for expressions of interest from prospective buyers of the iconic train.
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, appointed as the parastatal’s financial advisors to manage the sale, interested parties who want to take over the management and operation of the Choo-Tjoe’s service between George and Mossel Bay have until December 1 to submit an application.
“The assets used in the operation of the service include steam locomotives, carriages, spare parts, and supporting equipment and infrastructure. It is envisaged that initially the use of the assets will be transferred to the successful private party on a lease- lend basis,” said Hombisa Mbokotho of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Subject to heritage legislation and authorisation, full ownership will ultimately be transferred to the private buyer.
According to the call for expressions of interest, prospective buyers should be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to finance, own, operate and manage heritage steam locomotives and rolling stock.
“A separate call for expressions of interest will be issued regarding the George to Knysna route,” Mbokotho said.
The route was closed after floods damaged the railway line at Kaaiman’s Pass between Wilderness and George in 2006 and 2007. The Choo-Tjoe, which started operating between Knysna and George after the line was opened in 1928, was then diverted to the George to Mossel Bay route.
Western Cape Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Alan Winde met with Sir William McAlpine at his estate in Henley, England, last week, his office said at the weekend.
McAlpine, the doyen of heritage rail in the United Kingdom, undertook to support the rehabilitation of the Choo-Tjoe and said it was important to market the service to international tourists, including heritage rail publications.
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