Camfer

Name:Camfer

http://www.southerncape.co.za/history/transport/railways/stations/camfer.html
http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/sa_r-stock/coaches/union_limited/ul.html

T h e U n i o n L i m i t e d
The only authentic vintage steam rail company in Southern Africa, we cater for passengers wishing to experience the Garden Route of the Western Cape, as well as providing photographic steam safaris for enthusiasts from around the world.Our unique South African scenery provides breathtaking views of sea and mountains on the Golden Thread. Our locomotives are also available for hire for corporate tours, and some of our grand ladies have graced cinema and television screens around the globe.

http://home.intekom.com/bluegrass/sites/steamsa/tours.html

Rovos Rail’s unique luxury trains in Southern Africa evoke the glamour of the golden era of rail and air travel. Rebuilt wood-panelled coaches combine the ...
www.mojaheritage.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid.

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Mick Kerford, a Garden Route resident, joined a rail journey over the Outeniqua Mountains. He was pleasantly surprised. He wrote about his experience.

Inset: Railway journey over the Outeniqua Mountains

One of the world’s most exciting and picturesque railway journeys begins right here at George Railway Museum. No -not the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe - though that is a remarkable journey. This is a rare opportunity to experience the unspoilt mountain scenery of the railway Montagu Pass with a journey over the top to Camfer, Oudtshoorn and Toorwaterpoort.
Many George residents have heard the mournful hoot of diesels in the night or early morning emanating from the mountainside. This was the opportunity to find out where they go as they issue their mating calls.

This exciting mountainside assault - with its tunnels and ravines and breathtaking views - is reminiscent of the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway. It’s a treat usually reserved for the crew of the heavy freight trains carrying timber and building materials to industrial cities in the north. On Saturday 23 August, over 500 passengers were privileged to enjoy a full day excursion organised by The St Francis United Church, Sedgefield.

According to Allen Duff, who compiled the notes for the programme, the line climbs 1 in 100 through the forests, out of George, steepening to 1 in 80 and finally onto the punishing incline of 1 in 36. It zig-zagged its way 2000 feet up the mountainside with no discernible loss of power even as the incline became steeper. Each le-vel revealed a new and fascinating view of George and its surroundings. To the summit, the train climbs over 1000 feet in the space of six miles.

Class 32 diesels
The two Class 32 diesels, ope-rated in tandem, are part of the Transnet National Collection. Almost fifty years old, the locomotives remain in excellent condition. Manufactured by General Electric, they are po-wered by V12 turbo-charged engines which drive a DC ge-nerator which supplies power to six axle-hung traction motors. Coaxing a superb performance and steady pace of 60 to 80 kph out of them was driver James van der Berg, a popular personality best known as the steam locomotive driver on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. James is a versatile craftsman, just as much at home on diesel, though he prefers steam.

The varied scenery kept everyone’s attention: once beyond Camfer, the rolling plains of the Klein Karoo; the brooding Swartberg Mountains; the Stompdrift Dam; the brilliant vermillion ‘red cliffs’; the rugged gorge that is Toorwaterpoort, the scene of some action during the Anglo-Boer War; the quiet hamlet of Vonderling where the locomotives changed ends and the train reversed.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, there was a diversity of wildlife on display: a herd of blesbok, a troupe of monkeys, hares, rare water birds and of course fields of ostriches fleeing knees-up hysterically from the train.
The train left George at 08:00 and arrived back home at 18:10 completing a highly satisfying and memorable journey.


http://www.gardenroute.com/article/view/3852/

Where to stay:

http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trains/sa_bridges/eastern_cape.html