HAVE you ever wanted to experience the romance of a train trip? Well, you can if you board the Apple Express, as the Herald Hotline team did.

We arrived at 8.45am and eagerly awaited our turn to board the train alongside families who were looking forward to an outing together.

There was a slight problem with one family’s booking, as they had booked a carriage with a toilet but found it was without one on their arrival.

Assistance from the station staff was poor, but the Apple Express staff got straight onto the problem and sorted it out in no time, placing the couple in a carriage with a toilet.

“All aboard!” People jumped into the train and prepared for the ride ahead. We could not wait to take in the sights.

There was an amazing turnout. Many families brought grannies, grandpas and children for some quality time.

The interior was most enjoyable. Elegant varnished wood gave a feeling of luxury and the seats were so comfortable that I wanted to sit there forever. Big windows provided an amazing view.

It has been a long time since I have seen such joy and excitement in the faces of the children on the trip who had never been on a train before. It took me back to my own childhood.

For our trip, a diesel- electronic locomotive was used instead of the steam loco because of the high fire danger risk, caused by hot, dry, windy weather.

This did not make the trip any less romantic, though. The train started moving and the excitement built up. The tooting of the engine prompted many residents to bring their children to their front lawns to see the train as we rolled by.

The final destination for the train is Loerie, but a few stops are made, one at Van Stadens for people to stretch their legs and grab a quick thirst-quencher. The day trip to Loerie departs from Humewood Road station at 8.45am and returns at 5pm.

Passengers have the option of taking their own picnic baskets and enjoying a family picnic at Loerie, or they can pre-order a braai fire or a set lunch from caterers.

They have 90 minutes to have a look around before boarding for the return journey. Passengers can go to Loerie and back, or they can leave the train at Thornhill, 60km from Port Elizabeth.

The train also does 20-hour weekend trips to Assegaaibos and Patensie.

Apple Express return day trips to Loerie cost R160 a head for adults and R80 for children. Information: 041-5834480 or appleexpresstrain.co.za