Steam Trains in SA

The Banana Express runs from Port Shepstone to Oribi Gorge and on to Harding. It runs mainly, if not entirely, during the summer school holidays, although it may also run during the midyear holidays (June/July). http://hibiscuscoast.kzn.org.za/hibiscuscoast/news/64.xml</a> or Google for more web-sites refering to the train. We enjoyed the trip as a day outing.

The Apple Express is what I used to know as the PEAR train - the Port Elizabeth- Appledoorn Railway. It runs through a very scenic part of the country. www.aatravel.co.za/attractions/SAtrainjourneys.html</a>, http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/train_index.html</a>. We have not done this trip.

Then there is the Union Rail team train trip from Cape Town to George and back ( 4 or 5 nights, if I remember correctly). When my wife and I did the trip, steam had been banned for a period because of the fire hazard. They may be back on steam though as that was a few years ago. (I can't seem to locate a web-site for it at the moment).

There is also a train from Johannesburg through Namibia; and of course Rovos Rail; the Blue Train; and others.
Do a bit of googling and you will find some excellent rail tours in South and southern Africa.

Not Appeldoorn. It is Avontuur.

Closer to Joburg there is the Magalies Express. They run day trips from Joburg to Magaliesburg on weekends.

Regarding Steam Trains in SA :

(1) The Banana Express has not run for a couple of years now and there's no indication that the operation will start again anytime soon.
(2) The Union Limited has ceased operating (in fact, the entire train is up for sale).
(3) The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe runs between George and Mossel Bay at the moment - the tracks between George and Knysna have not yet been repaired since the floods some while back.
(4) The Apple Express still runs from Humewood Station in Port Elizabeth. It is a narrow-gauge steam train that does regular weekend trips over the Van Stadens River bridge into the hills.
(5) Paton's Country Narrow Gauge Railway runs trips in KwaZulu-Natal.
(6) There used to be a steam train in Mpumalange called Oosterlijn Steam, but I think it has also stopped running.
(7) Umgeni Steam Railway in KwaZulu-Natal still seems to be operating.
(8) Friends of the Rail run regular steam trips in and around Pretoria and Gauteng.

Here are some other links that might help :

The Steam Train Company : www.thesteamtraincompany.com</a><BR>Rovos Rail : www.rovos.co.za</a><BR>Sandstone Estates : www.sandstone-estates.com</a><BR>Cape Western Railway Society : http://members.absamail.co.za/capewestrail</a><BR>Cape Railway Enthusiasts Association : www.capesteam.za.net</a> (site seems to be down)

There are many non-steam rail trips in SA. I recommend going to this absolutely superb site for more info : The Man in Seat 61. Inter-city train timetables in SA can be found here. I recommend also the local commuter train from Cape Town to Simon's Town - very scenic. See www.capemetrorail.co.za</a> for more details.

Dear Betta,

The Banana Express Is no longer running. The line was closed by Spoornet. However the Paton's Express, former Banana Express operators, run the train in Ixopo(KZN, South Africa)

The Apple Express runs in Port Elizabeth

That bit about the Paton's express is very interesting Gundaan. Thank you. I will investigate times and seasons and will make a point of doing that trip next time I am down in KZN.
As a matter of interest, how did you find this thread? - it is a year old and, much as I am pleased at reading your response, I do not understand how these old threads pop up again from time to time.
Rudi