Related Content MEC steams closer to Choo-Tjoe rescue plan Threatened closure of iconic steam train staved off for three more months

WESTERN Cape Premier Helen Zille has promised to find a way to get the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe back on track as part of a commitment to encouraging tourism in the Southern Cape.

Delivering her budget speech in the legislature on Friday, Zille said the Department of Finance, Tourism and Development Planning would head the search for a way to save the train.

“To further encourage tourism in the southern regions of the province, we will find innovative ways to get the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, the last scheduled steam-train in the world, back on track.

“We will do so by involving business in investment for the train and other tourism- related attractions in the area,” Zille said.

Tourism MEC Alan Winde, who worked closely with his ANC predecessor Garth Strachan on a plan to possibly reinstate the service between Knysna and Wilderness, said he would do whatever he could to save the train.

DA MPL Marius Swart is expected to call a press conference today to discuss local business interest in the Choo-Tjoe.

Earlier this year, another company, African Power Technologies, said it might fund the rail repair and use the line to transport waste.

Company head Jan Vingerhoets said he was planning to meet Zille on its proposal.

The Choo-Tjoe costs Transnet about R850000 a month to operate. Estimates put repairing the line at Kaaimans and refurbishing the Choo- Tjoe at over R130-million.

In April, Transnet told workers it would shut the steam train service down at the end of that month.

Strachan managed to get a commitment from the parastatal to keep operating the train and museum until the end of June.

The new plan envisages moving the Transnet Museum and train workshop to the Knysna/Sedgefield area.