Team ready to tackle Choo-Tjoe railway line

The team of service providers who will be restoring and maintaining the railway between George and Knysna for the reintroduction of the iconic Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe recently attended the long-awaited contract signing ceremony between Transnet and Classic Rail and Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe.

- Alida de Beer

Included on the team are a structural engineer, rail track experts, a carriage interior craftsman, a conservationist, logistics and other consultants, and steam enthusiasts.

In a landmark moment at the Outeniqua Transport Museum on Monday, Classic Rail CEO Alan McVitty and Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips finally sealed the deal, ending a frustrating 20 years of waiting after the 2006 flood damage that had brought all rail activity to a halt. A relieved McVitty said: “We've been through three tenders and two unsolicited bids. I want to thank Michelle for pulling it together and allowing us to make it happen.”

"Private rail is the new future, but it only thrives when government joins hands with them. Thank you for Transnet for believing in this."