'Dollie' on the way to Porterville

PORTERVILLE - WORCESTER - RIVERSDALE - MOSSELBAY - HARTENBOS

In the early hours of the morning, we change to vintage diesel at Worcester and continue our overnight run through the wheat growing areas of the Southern Cape. The journey on the Garden Route line from Worcester through to Port Elizabeth is one of the highlights of train travel in South Africa. Until 1979 it was still possible to travel the 893 km (558 miles) from Worcester to Port Elizabeth behind steam. On 1 December 1993 a weekly passenger service was reinstated although sadly there is no steam on the run.

The first section from Worcester through to Ashton was built by the independent Cape Central Railway (CCR) in 1887. The CCR soon went bankrupt and the New Cape Central Railway (NCCR) was formed in 1894 to take over the assets of the original company and extend the line through to Voorbaai near Mossel Bay. The line was completed in 1906 and remained an independent company until finally taken over by SAR in 1925.

The entire 328 km (205 miles) of the NCCR had to be located along the foothills of the Langeberg mountains which resulted in a continuous switchback, almost invariably at the ruling grade of 1 in 40. Even before take over by the SAR the NCCR had realised the advantages of Garratts and two were delivered by Beyer Peacock in 1923 later to become SAR Class GK. Garratts continued to be associated with the line right up until dieselisation. The line is therefore not the most comfortable to travel over but our driver will do his utmost to make our overnight run as smooth as possible.

Daylight finds us at Karringmelk where we change drivers for our run at the foot of the Langeberg mountain range to Riversdale. After filling our coaches with water, we continue to Albertinia, where we will change to steam traction for the run to Mossel Bay. After a heavy climb out of the Gouritz river gorge, we pass Mossgas at Bartlesfontein. At Voorbaai we change direction for the short run to Mossel Bay.

We arrive in Mossel Bay at about 14:00 and passengers have a free afternoon where Bartholomew Diaz first set foot on African soil. There are several museums and historic sites within walking distance of the station as well as the famous Post Office Tree for passengers to explore.

We leave Mossel Bay at 17:30 for the short run and overnight stay at Hartenbos.