The scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass
There are 12 compartments. Two carriages sell coffee and snacks, and two serve alcoholic refreshments. Then there are, among others, day seats, family seats, family compartments, sitting rooms, and the observation area at the back of the train. All the staff on board are passionate about trains, and each compartment has someone overseeing the area, providing information, and answering questions. Passengers can see the workings of the train at the front end while at the market. Do not expect people loading coal with shovels. Steam trains were once coal- powered, but this has changed over the years as oil became economical and less prone to fire hazards. The flaming oil is still a hot affair in front of the cabin. The Ceres Railway Company uses recycled oil, preventing it from ending in landfills or polluting groundwater. The journey to Elgin takes about four hours. There is a quick stop at Van der Stel Station, where you can disembark. The train also stops briefly before the steep journey over Sir Lowry’s Pass, but you cannot get off there. Sir Lowry’s Pass is one of the steepest rail lines in South Africa. The history of the outing extends beyond just the chugging journey. The steampunk-themed Elgin Railway Market is just as impressive. The old apple shed where the market is dates to the 1940s, built by Italian prisoners of war. The market offers something for everyone, including various foods ranging from pizza and burgers to fragrant curry dishes and exotic options for the adventurous. We sampled craft beer, enjoyed pasta, and played chess while listening to a live singer. Little shops sold everything from jewellery to treats and even CBD products and edibles. The passengers were much quieter as we made our way back that afternoon, some even taking a nap, as it probably would have been for those returning from a long day at work. I stuck my head out the window one last time, and the air filled my lungs as I took in the landscape and surroundings one last time. This journey with the Ceres Railway Company to the Elgin Railway Market is a journey through time, one celebrating our railway heritage.
STEAM DREAMS
REDISCOVERING THE MAJESTY ON AN OLD LOCOMOTIVE Ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time on the transport of another era through the scenic countryside? René Laing travels back in time on an old steam locomotive to see what the travellers of yore would have experienced.
Guests have the chance to see the workings of the train up close.
PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE
GET THERE The train departs from the Harbour Bridge Hotel Platform. You will receive information on the parking arrangements before the departure day. GOOD TO KNOW The Ceres Railway Company won Best Adventure Experience in the Western Cape from the Kfm 94.5 Best of the Cape Awards in August 2023. REMEMBER They accept cards on the train, but the signal can fluctuate. There are toilet facilities on the train.
WHERE DO YOU GO? Ceres Railway Company offers a few route options. We went to the Elgin Railway Market near Grabouw. The train departs from Cape Town, travels over Sir Lowry’s Pass, and stops at the market for a few hours before returning to Cape Town.
C hoo-choo, choo-choooooo... The unmistakable whistle of a steam train is a rare sound these days. A small crowd gathered to ogle at this mode of transportation as we got ready to disembark at the Elgin Railway Market. If you have ever wondered what it is like to journey back to a period when railways reigned supreme, a day trip with the Ceres Railway Company is the perfect excuse. Yes, the trip is much faster by road, but it is a more delightful experience. Clare, the locomotive that transported us, is one of three that the Ceres Railway Company restored. Rick Botha, operational manager of the Ceres Railway Company, explains that Clare dates to 1948, built by North British Locomotive. “The Class 19Ds were
originally used to work on the branch lines that veered off from the main line to the smaller towns and cities along the track,” he explains. She served the South African Railways for a long time, first in regular rail operations, and she worked for the Union Limited Steam Rail Tours in the early 2000s before the Ceres Railway Company eventually rescued her.
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DON’T MISS!
The inside of the small cockpit
The views while travelling over Sir Lowry’s Pass are spectacular and people along the railway line will wave as the train passes. The Elgin Railway Market is a steampunk themed market and offers something for the whole family.
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