All Aboard! The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is Officially Coming Back!
It’s the news Garden Route locals and steam train enthusiasts worldwide have been waiting for: the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is returning! The plans are to have:
- Sedgefield to Goukamma route operational by May 2026
- Knysna to George route operational by 2028
In a landmark move, Transnet and the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Company have just signed a historic 25-year agreement to revive South Africa’s most beloved heritage railway. This deal officially green-lights the restoration and operation of the iconic steam train line between George and Knysna.
The Choo Tjoe, famous for its spectacular route along the Garden Route coastline, last operated in 2006. Its return is being hailed as a "model for public-private collaboration" by Transnet's CEO, Michelle Phillips, who called the railway a "national treasure." The tracks it operates on were built between 1925 and 1928.
The new operators, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Company, said they are "honoured" and plan to "breathe new life" into the line, focusing on creating a world-class, sustainable tourism experience that will bring significant economic value and jobs back to the region.
Our Take: This is More Than Just a Train
This is, without a doubt, the best news to come out of the region in years.
Anyone who ever had the privilege of riding the original Choo Tjoe knows it wasn't just a mode of transport; it was pure magic. It was the sound of the whistle echoing over the Knysna Lagoon, the smell of steam and coal, and the impossible beauty of watching the coastline unfold from an open-air carriage.
When it stopped running, it left a massive hole in the heart of the Garden Route. For nearly two decades, those tracks have sat silent, a sad reminder of what was lost.
This revival is about more than just nostalgia. It’s a brilliant economic move that will reclaim a world-class tourist attraction, create jobs, and give a whole new generation the chance to experience one of the most beautiful train journeys on the planet.
We honestly cannot wait to hear that whistle blow again. Get ready to book your tickets—the Choo Tjoe is finally coming home!
News
28 Oct 2025. Transnet and the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Company have signed a 25 year concession to enable the steamtrain to operate again. Click here to read the media release.
Email "railroad Rob" rob@southafrica.to; or WhatsApp anytime for anything.
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