The narrow gauge railway line between Port Elizabeth and the town of Avontuur in the Langkloof was built by the government of the Cape Colony between 1890 and 1906 and at 285 kilometres it is the longest 610-mm-narrow gauge route in the world. Along the way the line crosses over the highest two foot narrow-gauge railway bridge in the world. In 1965 the Apple Express tourist train started operating on part of the line and finally seized operations in 2011 due to hassles with Spoornet on the use of the line. There are moves afoot to get the steam train going again but unfortunately other than Spoornet one of the obstacles to overcome is the fact that some of the line was since washed away in flooding. I snapped this pic on a Geocaching outing close to the South End Cemetery. I was standing on a footbridge over the railway line looking towards Humewood.
I really want to try a train ride in SA.
ReplyDeleteI would love to do one of the luxury trains. Something like Rovos Rail. We will have to organise a media trip though cause the cost is way above my fireplace.
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