SouthAfrica .to
sponsored by yzerfontein.info
© RW Baker
Terms of use
Yzerfontein@gmail.com
(suggestions welcomed)
George is situated just off the N2, and is part of the Western Cape's scenic garden route.
The Outeniqua Transport Museum (100m from George Station) is Africa's biggest railway museum. The museum's exhibits include:
a coach of the White Train used by Princesses Margaret & Elizabeth during their 1947 visit to South Africa.
Johannesburg's first transport train - a horse-drawn ambulance - a replica of the George to Knysna line - a replica of Eston Station (the oldest station in Kwazulu-Natal).
The Outeniqua Powervan transports one from the museum 720m up into the Outeniqua mountains. This line has white beacons indicating where ox wagons used to cross the passes.
The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the only steam-hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa, and runs 6 days a week. The Choo-Tjoe runs a 3 hour journey over 67km from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route lake district.
The railway line between George and Knysna was opened to traffic in 1928. The George-Knysna line was declared a preserved railway in 1992 and officially handed over to the Transnet Heritage Foundation in 1993. At that time there was only a daily return trip from George to Knysna with an average of 40 000 passengers per year. Today approximately 115 000 passengers travel the line annually of whom 70% are foreign tourists.
The trains are usually pulled by Class 24 steam locomotives, of 2-8-4 wheel arrangement with Vanderbilt-like "torpedo" tenders, although the task is occasionally handled by 19D steam engines. When dry conditions in the summer increase the risk of wildfires, diesel locomotives are used instead.
Fancourt is one of South Africa's best golf resort. There are four golf courses designed by Gary Player, which are renowned for their immaculate year-round condition. In addition, there are tennis courts, a golf academy, swimming pools and trails to walk/run. It also has five restaurants providing a variety of dining experiences.
Fancourt Hotel & Country Club estate