Double Header Steam Train to Wolseley – The “Wolseley Wanderer”
25 June 2023
We’re celebrating the middle of the year it by taking the “baby” in our fleet out for a leg stretch from Cape Town to Wolseley!
Steam Locomotives “Jenny,” built in 1949, and “Clare” built in 1948, will guide you rhythmically through a beautiful section of the Western Cape. “Jenny” will hop off at Wolseley and “Clare” will bring the train back.
The journey begins at 08h00 (passengers to arrive between 07h00 and 07h45) from the platform at Harbour Bridge Hotel and Suites, Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town. Once aboard you will enjoy a 4-hour rail experience to Wolseley, traveling through the beautiful Cape, through Paarl, Wellington, the Nuwekloof Pass, Tulbaghweg, and finally Wolseley.
We have a fully licensed cash bar on board as well as a dining car providing coffee and other limited snacks, but you are encouraged to bring your own picnic basket for lunch.
Various books and memorabilia are also available for purchase onboard. We also have a card machine to make life easier.
Our journey reaches its furthest point at the Wolseley at approximately 12h00 where our crew will run the locomotive around, and then we will depart.
We expect to depart from Wolseley at 12h30, arriving back in Cape Town between 16h30 and 17h30.
08h00 – Depart from platform at Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites, Dockrail Rd, Foreshore, Cape Town
12h00 – Arrive in Wolseley
12h30 – Departure from Wolseley
17h30 – Arrive back in Cape Town
We are so excited to have you on board!
Journey Timeline
- 07h00 – 07h45: Passengers Arrive
- 07h15: Train arrives at the platform
- 07h15 – 07h55: Passenger boarding
- 08h00: Departure
- 12h00: Arrival (Wolseley)
- This time may change due to delays on the rail network with regards to crossing other trains, infrastructure maintenance, and other safety checks. Delays in excess of 30 – 60 minutes are not uncommon and should be planned for.
- 12h30: Train departs for Cape Town
- 16h30 – 17h30: Arrival back in Cape Town
- Passengers are advised not to arrange evening events after the train at a time too close to the arrival of the train back in Cape Town due to possible delays in arrival.
Notes
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- The ticket is a return ticket and includes the cost of your journey with us.
- Please bring a picnic basket along for lunch and other snacks, as we have limited supplies onboard.
- We have a fully stocked bar, dining car (for snacks), and coffee onboard. Payment by cash or card is accepted.
- We are currently not wheelchair accessible unless the person is able to board without the wheelchair (with assistance of course)
- No smoking is permitted onboard.
- Closed shoes are to be worn at all times.
- A light jersey or jacket is advisable in the case of sudden weather changes.
- Bring a blanket to avoid the cold!
General Rules and Other Info
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- If you are in need of assistance, go to the Coach Controller or Train Manager.
- Obey the instructions given by our Train Manager (orange visi-vest) and our Coach Controllers (yellow visi-vest).
- Please do not stand or kneel on the furniture and tables, and keep dirty feet off too.
- Everyone loves to peek out of the window, but please do not hang out of the windows; it is dangerous due to vegetation along the track as well as soot from the steam locomotive.
- Please do not throw litter out of the windows – cleaning staff and bins are available on board.
- No bare feet – the plates between the coaches shift and passengers are at risk of getting injured if their feet are bare.
- We cannot control the actions of communities alongside the rail line. There have been incidents of stone throwing in the past; we undertake to do our best to monitor the known hotspots to ensure passengers are aware, and communities are engaged.
- Passengers must be well on the day of travel. If any passenger is not feeling well, running a temperature or if any passenger has been in contact with a Covid active person, they must rather postpone their journey with us.