Ceres Rail Company

23/05/2025

🧥🧣 Wrap up warmly this Winter and join us on a return trip to Elgin aboard Clare - our beloved steam train! Think comfy, cosy seating, lots of jovial chatter, hot and fresh coffee and snacks/light meals, and dramatic views across False Bay.

🤩🛍 Our destination - the vibrant Elgin Railway Market - is indoors and boasts giant fireplaces (some of the biggest in the Western Cape) heating up the whole place. So you can enjoy the live music, delicious food and drinks, and variety of shops staying dry and content.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🥳 Bring your friends, family, children, grandparents and everyone else and reserve your seats aboard one of our upcoming trips (07, 21, or 28 June and 12 or 19 July) online here: https://www.ceresrail.co.za/destinations-elgin-railway-market/ or contact our team to help you on: 079 401 9353, [email protected].
[Prices range from R675 for adults, R500 for kids (3 years and under travel free), and R540 for pensioners over 60.]

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

21/05/2025

⛰🚂 ‘Overnight in the Overberg’.
“A cold wet Saturday morning on the 10th of May we departed from the Foreshore platform at the ACC Hotel by Marriot. We arrived and checked in at the reception counter, the bags were tagged and dropped off at the baggage carriage.

The 2 person sleeper compartment was all original out of wood, there is a bottom bunk and a top bunk that would be let down. The fold up table and a fold down basin with running water was still in working condition. The only update down was a 220v multi plug point for our devices.

On each coach was a staff member that took good care the people in terms of safety, our needs and great updates on the happenings on the train stops. We had a few stops either due to technical or track issues but hey it would have been the same in those days.

Our first stop was at Van Der Stel where we picked up passengers. From there, Elgin was our lunch stop. We traveled through various areas with various scenery types. From established residential to informal settlement areas which was an eye opener.

As we ascended Sir Lowry’s Pass we took in the great view of Strand and Gordon's Bay, shame it was a rainy and overcast day but on the way back a much better view. Elgin Farm, we arrived and all aboard disembarked for a 2 hour lunch break. What a great and warm farm market it was. Great food with upmarket stalls.

We were welcomed with tasters of pizza, fried calamari and other sorts to entice the "weary" travellers some great warm dishes. The steam engine blew its whistle as departure was imminent, all aboard as we slowly pulled away from the platform. The steam engine blew its whistle a couple of times to announce its arrival in Houw Hoek.

As we pulled into Houw Hoek, staff and the luggage cart powered mechanically (small truck) were waiting for us. Luckily they had umbrellas as rain was not far. Once all passengers and luggage were offloaded the train reversed and allowed us to cross over the track and down the Inn for the evening. The evening at the Inn (HouwHoek Hotel) was great. The room was spacious, warm and well kitted out.

Dinner was buffet style with a bar and to work off the dinner some guests were kind enough to put on a show of langarm. I found this very interesting to watch and educational. Next day we waited for the beast to arrive for our journey back to Cape Town. The journey back to Cape Town took 4 hours with better weather this time.

The staff were great, communication through a WhatsApp group was good so we all knew what was happening. The bar carriage has a good variety stock and I saw several MCC bottles get served. The coffee carriage was also good to have. The trip was very enjoyable and looking forward to a new destination.” - Rick Davis.

📲📆 Join us for the next one over Women’s Day Long-Weekend, from 08 - 10 August 2025 and reserve your seats here: https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overnight-in-the-overberg-2-nights/!

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

21/05/2025

🚂🙌 We've been listed as one of "The 20 Best Things To Do in Cape Town when it Rains" by Inside Guide. We do love an adventure in the rain. It's dramatic and really shows off the crisp, vibrant beauty of the Western Cape.

📲📆 So join us on one of our upcoming trips - come rain or shine. Reserve your seats here now: https://www.ceresrail.co.za/destinations-elgin-railway-market/ or contact our team to help you on: 079 401 9353, [email protected].
[Prices range from R675 for adults, R500 for kids (3 years and under travel free), and R540 for pensioners over 60.]

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

There’s no shortage of fun things to do when it rains in Cape Town – from trying new flavours to inspirational art and indoor adventures.

16/05/2025

🚂🤓 Earlier this week, our staff gave a talk on “Careers in Rail" and on Rail Safety at Sir Lowry's Pass Primary School to a packed hall of their grade 6 to 9s.

👀🙂 We kept it relevant and talked about things like: what Ceres Rail is about, Safety, Tourism (and how it relates to SLP) and how it affects the economy. We also presented the opportunity for the learners to get involved and receive training as trainspotters with certificates etc. and further possible careers in this industry.

✋✅ They were very engaged which was great, with 50% of them putting up their hands to indicate their interest in possible careers in trains.

🔶🔶 “Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela 🔶🔶

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

https://www.ceresrail.co.za/

14/05/2025

🚂🛤 We’re proud to say that our first Overnight in the Overberg Trip last Saturday was a smash hit! The moody Cape of Storms weather added more drama to what was already a thrilling adventure.

🗣🌟 “The trip was fantastic and everything was perfectly organised. The staff at the hotel were great and service excellent from the minute we arrived. Everything was perfect and we are proud to be the 1st group to do the trip to Houw Hoek.” - Neil

👏📝 “Was Awesome! Please advise when the bookings are available for the August 2 night trip. I would like to book. I know the whole compartment was in awe.”

📲📞 Our next one is live and there is limited space available so make sure you book your Couples, Singles, or Family Package now here: https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overnight-in-the-overberg-2-nights/!

📷 & 🎥: Nik Albert

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

13/05/2025

🤩🏞 NEW Overnight in the Overberg Trip for Women’s Day Long-Weekend, from 08 - 10 August 2025! Escape the city and travel from Cape Town to the Overberg for a countryside getaway.

🛤👜 Spend the whole weekend in vintage style, exploring and enjoying this amazing part of the Western Cape.
Here’s what’s included:
🚂 Return journey aboard our vintage train
⛰ Two nights’ accommodation at Houw Hoek Hotel
🍽 Five meals: Friday à la carte dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, Sunday Lunch on the train
💃 Saturday Dinner Dance (3-course set menu and live music)
🛍 Optional Elgin Market train experience (no additional cost, booking required)
😌 Spa treatments available at the hotel and onboard the train (excluded from pricing, by appointment)

📲📞 There is limited space available so make sure you book your Couples, Singles, or Family Package now here: https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overnight-in-the-overberg-2-nights/! Let the train take the strain, and make memories to last a lifetime.

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

06/05/2025

💞🥳 In a word, we can describe our newest Overberg Explorer trips as…wholesome! A real treat for the entire family, from little to big and everyone in between.

🚂🤩 Clare, as with most locomotives, has a beautiful rhythm once we get going that is soothing enough to gently rock even the babies to sleep. There are breathtaking views of that area that we traverse before reaching the incomparable Elgin Railway Market where you can spend a few hours exploring.

📆📲 So we know there are lots of you that want to book for the next ones. We can assure you that the team is busy working on adding new dates to do more of these trips which will be coming soon! Keep your eyes on our socials as we keep you posted.

🎥: on IG

https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overberg-explorer/

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

03/05/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👌👨‍✈️ “This was worth every cent we paid.
The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The views were breathtaking. We bought breakfast on the train. It was not expensive; it was freshly made and delicious.

🚂🛤 Every wagon has its own waiter and conductor. The check in went smoothly and we had multiple opportunities to take photos of the locomotive and even climb on it. We were briefed thoroughly on what to expect and the WhatsApp group informed us throughout the trip of progress.” - Christine Landsberg.

📲📝 So what are you waiting for? Join us on one of our upcoming trips (04, 18 or 24 May) and book now by reserving your tickets online here: https://www.ceresrail.co.za/destinations-elgin-railway-market/ or contact our team to help you on: 079 401 9353, [email protected].
[Prices range from R675 for adults, R500 for kids (3 years and under travel free), and R540 for pensioners over 60.]

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

30/04/2025

💞🥳 This past long-weekend we had SO much fun! Our Overberg Explorer was launched and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.

🚂🤩 Charismatic Clare was as popular as ever, carrying excited, happy passengers of all ages and abilities through scenic views to the vibrant Elgin Railway Market and back to Botrivier.

📆📲 For all of you that have been asking, the team are busy working on adding new dates to do more of these trips. These should be up next week so we will keep you posted.

🎥: on IG

https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overberg-explorer/

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

25/04/2025

🤩🙌 Clare has arrived in Botrivier! The community is buzzing and we couldn’t be more excited that we’re reviving this route this long-weekend.

🚂🛤 What started as a hopeful idea from one community member has grown into a story of collaboration, heritage, and rural revival. The Overberg Explorer is a symbol of what can happen when a small town rallies behind a big idea.

🤝💫 The vision grew from a rail trip into a much larger community revitalisation initiative, aiming to create jobs, attract tourism, and reawaken pride in the Botrivier station precinct. While Clare plays a key role in the experience, the success of the Overberg Explorer rests on the people who made it happen.

💞😁 The most heart-warming part of the story is the overwhelming support from the community! We can’t wait to kick things off tomorrow morning at 9am to experience the heart of Botrivier the way it was always meant to be: full of steam, soul, and small-town spirit.

https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overberg-explorer/

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

The Shuntin Shed Bot River Botrivier country market Bot River Hotel

23/04/2025

🤩📣 Did you miss your chance to experience an Overnight in the Overberg? Well we’ve got great news for you then!

😱😁 Later this week, our team will be opening bookings for another return trip towards the beginning of August from Cape Town to Houw Hoek Hotel. Not only that, it will be an extended version that gives you a two nights stay. So spend the whole weekend in vintage style, exploring and enjoying this amazing part of the Western Cape.

📆📝 As before, there will be Couples, Singles & Family Packages available so take the time to plan ahead. That way you won’t miss out when bookings open. More details will follow when this trip is live and you’re able to make a reservation so keep your eyes peeled for that!

*Ceres Rail Company - Let History Transport You.*

https://www.ceresrail.co.za/overnight-in-the-overberg/