10/05/2026
The iconic Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Is Getting Back on Track ππΏπ¦
Now this is the kind of good news that will makes thousands of South Africans smile. 16 years is a long time without our favourite train! π
The beloved Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, one of the Garden Routeβs most iconic tourist attractions, is finally on the road, or rather the rails, to revival after many years out of service.
For decades, the famous steam train carried passengers between George and Knysna, offering one of the most scenic railway journeys in the country. It first ran in 1928, and for generations of locals and visitors, it became part of the magic of the Garden Route. ππΏπ¦
The service was eventually stopped after severe flood damage to the line, and for years the Choo Tjoe became one of those much-loved South African memories people hoped would one day return.
Now, restoration plans are moving ahead, with work expected to include clearing parts of the line, restoring locomotives and carriages, and developing Sedgefield Station as an important steam-train hub.
It is not running again just yet, but the fact that this project is gathering steam is already worth celebrating.
After years of storms, setbacks and silence on the tracks, the thought of the Choo Tjoe steaming through the Garden Route again feels wonderfully hopeful.
Welcome back, Choo Tjoe. Weβve missed you. π