Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe
The famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, offering a three-hour journey between George
and Knysna, is the last scheduled steam train service in the country. Departing
from the Outeniqua Railway Museum in George, passengers enjoy breathtaking
views of coastal scenery as the train winds along hills, through forests,
along the coast and across rivers, lakes and lagoons.
The
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe runs daily (excepting Sunday) between George and Knysna.
The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield
and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery
in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route lake district. The section
from Victoria Bay along the Cliffside and over the Kaaiman´s River viaduct
to Wilderness is the highlight of the journey.
The railway line between George and Knysna was opened
to traffic in 1928 and when built was regarded as one of the most expensive
sections of line in the world - today it is rated the most beautiful.
In
the summer months between mid August and mid May two trains are run each day
giving a return service from both George and Knysna, the trains crossing at
Sedgefield. In winter 9 mid May to mid August) only the George-Knysna return
service is operated.
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