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    A Memorable Evening With Enrique Tirado, Winemaker for Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year, Don Melchor 2021 Cabernet Blend

    Roatan boats on shore © Scott Kendall

    Regal Princess Cruise: Galveston to Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel

    Welcome to The Hospitality Show © Scott Kendall

    The Hospitality Show 2024 and the HSMAI in San Antonio

    Fairview Inn © John Goodrow

    Explore Jackson, Mississippi, the City with Soul 

    Cleveland public art exhibits celebrate musical themes © Gwyn Goodrow

    Discover Cleveland, Mississippi: A Journey of History, Culture, and Southern Charm

    Wagner cab franc grapes © Scott Kendall

    Wagner Vineyards and Ginny Lee Cafe on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes in New York

    Alamo with Texas flag © Scott Kendall

    San Antonio: Alamo, Riverwalk, Winery, World Heritage Center, Gardens, CityPASS

    Letchworth Upper Falls with bridge © Scott Kendall

    Livingston County: Letchworth State Park, Grand Canyon of the East

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    Sacre Couer with pink flowers © Scott Kendall

    Paris: Montmartre, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, and Great Food

    Epernay globe on Avenue de Champagne © Scott Kendall

    Toasts to Top Champagne Houses and Grill N Chill in Epernay

    Reims tower with golden angel © Scott Kendall

    Reims: Fabulous Champagne Houses and Dining at Michelin Starred Arbane

    Braunfels castle turrets © Scott Kendall

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    Lisbon – Jerónimos Monastery © Scott Kendall

    Portugal: Lisbon to Fatima, Porto, Evora and In Between

    Old Town view from the Bosphorus © Scott Kendall

    Historic Istanbul, A Tantalizing Mix of Old and New

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    Pisco Tasting in Ica, Peru

    Journey by Train to Huancayo, Peru

    Lima to Huancayo

    Hotel B Barranco

    Hotel B-Historic Mansion Now a Luxury Boutique Hotel

    Model of Layout of main buildings excavated in Pachacamac

    Pachacamac – Daytrip from Lima

    Machu picchu

    Overview of Lima, Peru

    Amazing colors of Magic Water Circuit Lima

    Lima – PLAY

    Hotel B Barranco

    STAY IN LIMA

    La Rosa Nautica Miraflores

    Lima – EAT

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    Tokyo Highlights: A Small Snapshot of a Big City

    SHRINES AND TEMPLES ABOUND! © Daphne Ciufo

    Marvels of South/Central Japan

    Seabourn Encore (photo by Jim Thomas)

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    The Treasury and the Facade Used in the Indiana Jones Movie

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    A Slice of Johannesburg and Soweto by Tuk-Tuk

    Table Mountain from MSC Cruise Ship, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

    Nostalgic Steam-Train on the Ceres Rail from Cape Town, South Africa

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    View of The Train on the Bridge © Elsa Dixon

    Shalati Train on the Bridge

    The Pyramids of Giza, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World

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Home Africa

Nostalgic Steam-Train on the Ceres Rail from Cape Town, South Africa

by Elsa Dixon
February 1, 2023
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Table Mountain from MSC Cruise Ship, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

Table Mountain from MSC Cruise Ship, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

Stories and photos by Elsa Dixon (unless otherwise indicated)

Few things are more evocative than a steam-train ride through the countryside. At 7:30 am, my friend Karen and I boarded the Ceres Rail steam train and sank back in our comfortable leather chairs, ready for the three-hour ride to Elgin. We would travel along the False Bay coast, up and over Sir Lowry’s Pass, one of the steepest rail lines in South Africa through the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the Western Cape.

As the train departed from the Harbour Bridge Hotel in the Foreshore district of Cape Town, I looked back at the imposing Table Mountain silhouetted against a clear blue sky. The gentle rocking of the train brought back memories of train rides to Pretoria as a child. The train retained some of the historic emblems of the old South African Railways, later renamed Transnet. I pointed out the images of springbok heads engrained on the windows to Karen.

Table Mountain from MSC Cruise Ship, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Table Mountain from MSC Cruise Ship, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
South African Railways Emblem, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
South African Railways Emblem, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

Steam and Diesel Trains of the Ceres Rail Company

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Steam and Diesel Trains of the Ceres Rail Company
  • Onboard With the Good People of Ceres Rail
  • Through Mountains, Veld, and Wildflowers to the Coast
  • Sir Lowry’s Pass and the Elgin Valley
  • Steampunk Marketplace in Elgin
  • Return Journey to Capetown
Ceres Rail Steam Locomotive, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Ceres Rail Steam Locomotive, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

Two locomotives, one steam, and one diesel, pull the long train. I met the driver of the steam engine, Jan ‘Taxi’ Fourie, who has been with the Ceres Rail Company since its inception in 2016. He previously worked for Transnet. “This is my life,” he grinned. “There is nothing better than driving the steam trains.”

The train steamed through Milnerton, past Century City and the Northern Suburbs. We gaped at the astounding number of taxis lined up at Bellville station. Soon, we left the city and the blue mountain ranges surrounding the Winelands of the Cape came into view. We headed towards Somerset West, enjoying the farmlands and vineyards along the way. As we passed through the township areas, strange sights like makeshift pigpens and cow enclosures next to the railroad greeted us. Goats roamed freely while colorful washing on makeshift lines flapped in the breeze. It was painful to see the level of poverty. But even so, women with babies on their backs waved at us while children tried to outrun the train, hooping joyfully. They had obviously anticipated the arrival of the passing steam locomotive.

Jan Taxi Fourie Ceres Rail Steam Engine Driver, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Jan Taxi Fourie Ceres Rail Steam Engine Driver, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Cow Enclosure along Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Cow Enclosure along Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

Onboard With the Good People of Ceres Rail

Rina de Waal had worked for Ceres Rail since its inception as well. “I love my job,” she gushed. “I have done more than 200 trips already, and before that, six years for Atlantic Rail.” Rina took me on a quick tour of the train and introduced me to Alain Bissoon, so busy serving customers in the bar that he only nodded in my direction. “He has been working onboard since November 2021.” We passed through the coffee bar and dining car. Besides the compartments and coupes, guests can enjoy the scenery from the observation car with its comfortable sofas and wingback chairs. Karen and I enjoyed the day chatting with a South African couple and their two grownup sons sitting opposite us.

Some notes of importance

– It is worth pointing out that the train has a fully stocked bar in the dining car for snacks and coffee.
– No personal food or drink items are permitted onboard.
– The train is not wheelchair accessible.
– Wear closed shoes for safety.
– Keep windows closed when passing local communities.

Volunteer Rina de Waal on Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Volunteer Rina de Waal on Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Karen and Elsa in Day Seating on Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Karen and Elsa in Day Seating on Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

Through Mountains, Veld, and Wildflowers to the Coast

Burnt Veld with silhouetted Mountain, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Burnt Veld with silhouetted Mountain, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

As the journey proceeded, the scenery changed. We passed through an area eerily scorched black in a veld fire. Soon, the terrain became misty and mountainous. Indigenous fynbos covered the hills. We opened the windows to enjoy the fragrances of the veld and wildflowers. The train slowly chugged uphill, smoke billowing from the front. We entered a pitch-black tunnel and then passed the Steenbras Dam. As we ascended Sir Lowry’s Pass, the seaside town of Gordon’s Bay became visible. We had a panoramic view of the blue waters of the False Bay coast in the distance.

Sir Lowry’s Pass and the Elgin Valley

It was amazing to see the tarred road of Sir Lowry’s Pass below us. We laughed delightedly at the antics of baboons on the highway below. I carefully poked my head through the open window, feeling the breeze through my hair, and watched the train snake around the curved rail in front and behind me. Then, reaching the peak of the pass, the fertile apple and pear orchards of the lush Elgin Valley greeted us, and we arrived at the Elgin Railway Market. We had three-and-a-half hours to enjoy what it had to offer. The children on the train were happy to see climbing walls and a play area.

Sir Lowry's Pass Road below Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Sir Lowry’s Pass Road below Ceres Rail, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Railway Market Building, Elgin © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Railway Market Building, Elgin © Elsa Dixon

Steampunk Marketplace in Elgin

Elgin Railway Market indoors, Elgin © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Railway Market indoors, Elgin © Elsa Dixon

The sprawling building of the Steampunk Marketplace in Elgin featured two levels inside and was buzzing with activity. I wondered why it was called a ‘steampunk’ marketplace. While pointing to the roof, one vendor explained, “Steampunk pays homage to vintage technology in a modern setting. See, those huge airplane propellors serve as fans in the building.” I noticed numerous antiques and old pieces scattered throughout the market.

Live music on a small stage set the tone for an enjoyable time while one could browse a variety of stalls selling unusual crafts, clothing, jewelry, home produce, and much more. Karen and I explored the many food outlets and wine, beer, cider, and other tastings. In particular, the variety of Elgin Gins intrigued me.

Elgin Crafts at Elgin Railway Market, Elgin © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Crafts at Elgin Railway Market, Elgin © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Gin at Elgin Railway Market, Elgin © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Gin at Elgin Railway Market, Elgin © Elsa Dixon

Return Journey to Capetown

Elgin Platform, Elgin © Elsa Dixon
Elgin Platform, Elgin © Elsa Dixon

Too soon, it was time to return to Cape Town. We watched, fascinated, as the locomotives shunted into position. I went to shake Jan “Taxi” Fourie’s hand and thank him for his years of service and for keeping the traditions of the bygone steam train era alive.

We arrived back in Cape Town at the estimated time of 5:30 pm. Management had warned us that there might have been delays with regards to crossing other trains, infrastructure maintenance, and other safety checks. It was the end of a lovely day. Karen and I enjoyed stepping back in time, savoring our nostalgic steam train experience while enjoying a relaxed journey.

Thanks to Ceres Rail Company for hosting me. All opinions are my own.

Tags: AfricaCeres Rail Companytrains in south africa
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Elsa Dixon

Elsa Dixon

Elsa Dixon is a freelance travel writer, photographer, and author of three instructional music books. Under her maiden name, Elsa van der Byl, she wrote an Afrikaans biography, PIET wat POMPIES was of her father, a famous South African comedian and songwriter, and a memoir available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible. Besides teaching piano, Elsa established TravelswithElsa LLC in 2008, taking small groups on tour to different continents during school holidays. Her four children live in Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. She blogs extensively about her tours and travels on her website https://travelswithelsa.com/.

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