At first, the name of this railway sounds exotic. For those familiar with the region, the explanation is simple: "Outeniqua" is the mountain range to the North while "Choo-tjoe" is the sound of the steam engine...

Opened in 1928 for goods transportation, the narrow gauge line (1067mm) is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa. Yearly over 100'000 passengers use this nostalgic opportunity to admire the magnificent part of the Garden Route along the Indian Ocean. During the Summer season, there is a daily return in each direction, excepting on Sundays.

Ahead of our trip, we checked operation details with The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, but could not avoid to be in Wilderness on a Sunday! This left us with just half a day of steam thrill before having to return to Cape Town. To ride it or to chase it, that was the question!

Next time, we will definitely have two days available: one for chasing, one for riding, preferably starting in George as to have lunch in fashionable Knysna...    

Leaving the George station, the train disappears in the countryside towards the Coast. It then follows the Indian Ocean before crossing the embouchure of the Kaaimans River ahead of Wildnerness station. Don't miss the small parking lot on the N2 just before the r-turn, there are no other parking options around.

After Wilderness, the landscape honours its name - though many cottages have been built nearby the lagoons. Rain and an overly cloudy sky did not prevent us from being on the watch at the picnic area above the Swartvlei Lagoon.

Urgency stop on the N2 to zoom the crossing of the Swartvlei Lagoon, the largest natural inland saltwater lake in South Africa. The "low trestle" bridges, emerging for hardly more than one meter, give the passengers the impression of gliding over the water.

We caught "our" train at the cross station in Sedgefield: "Tootsie", a particularly  beautiful engine...

...and this one is our prey for the way back.Three tons of coal are needed for each direction (67 km).

For this ultimate picture, it happened to me to slip down the hill. Thanks God, only my trousers were teared off, but to say Justys' was "not happy about" would be an understatement. Hope you will bear with me and enjoy the shot!