New era for quaint little Langkloof train

Luyolo Mkentane

THE Eastern Cape‘s famous Apple Express narrow- gauge train has been given a new lease on life. A recent partnership agreement between the department of roads and transport and the Apple Express Section 21 Company saw the launch of the Apple Express Train Tourism Service between Port Elizabeth and the Langkloof – and at the same time unveiling of an Eastern Cape 10-year Rail Plan.

Roads and Transport MEC Gloria Barry said in Loerie: “The introduction of this plan marks a departure from the painful experience of rapid decline in rail services to rural areas of the province, and will make rail viable through collaboration with local government and the private sector.

“Our goal is to identify areas in which the provincial government should be involved to ensure that rail transport occupies its rightful space in the overall transport environment and supports the Provincial Growth and Development Plan,” she said.

Barry said her department would spend R1,4-million in the 2008/09 financial year to support Apple Express operations.

“In 2009/10, we will spend R5-million in capital expenditure, mainly the refurbishment of the rolling stock.”

I was among a party that travelled on the Apple Express to Loerie for the partnership announcement.

Young and old waved at us as the green-and- white train snaked its way past Walmer Township.

A police presence was noticeable in the township where the train passes – as a precaution against thugs with ideas of hopping on.

We passed dairy farms in the St Albans area, then the train made its way over the Van Stadens railway bridge. At 77 metres high, Van Stadens is the highest narrow-gauge bridge in the world. The train arrived in Loerie just before noon and Khoisan dancers broke into song and dance, welcoming us.

Kouga mayor Robbie Dennis welcomed the guests.

“Our mandate is to make sure that this initiative leads to our people experiencing the economic spin-offs and enjoying democracy,” Dennis said.

With the hope that the Apple Express will boost tourism in the province, particularly during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Dennis said he hoped that people would “come and spend in our area”.

Apple Express Section 21 Company director Anton Gerber said the train was “an icon” of the Eastern Cape.

He said the company was engaging with Transnet, the department of roads and transport and the four municipalities the train travels through “to restore and get the train to run”.

Gerber said: “We‘d like to see new businesses started in the communities that live along the railway lines.”

Community members, he felt, should benefit from tourism in the area.

About 87 small businesses and 800 jobs would be created through the project.

However, Gerber conceded that a massive team effort was needed to make the project a success.

“People will see the developments (of the project) in the next couple of years,” he said.

Roads and transport spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca described the project as the “biggest pie for everyone to share”.

We were treated to a scrumptious lunch, where Billy Paulsen‘s band was playing jazz fusion tunes, before the afternoon train trip back home.

Seated next to me was Elyse Pleaner, an artist from Cape Town, who was visiting her Port Elizabeth family.

Asked what she felt about the partnership, Pleaner, a lover of steam trains, said: “I love the Apple Express because of its steam and its scenic route.

“I like the way the train works ... it‘s so visible and tangible. Going over that gorge (at Van Stadens) is exhilarating.

“The project has potential, but I hope it‘s sustainable and everlasting.”

Life