RN 204 - Railway Society of Southern Africa - Reef Branch Newsletter - July 2006

RAILWAY SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
REEF BRANCH NEWSLETTER
July 2006

From the Editor...

The headline news this month is that Spoornet are being selective on providing trains and motive power for contract trains (such as Bushveld Train Safaris) and from 2007 will not provide any at all. This is, in my opinion a disaster for local and overseas tourism, there is a significant proportion of the population that like to travel by train whether it is in old world luxury, such as Rovos Rail or more affordable ones such as Bushveld Train Safaris. These travellers do not mind what is up front as compared with the steam enthusiasts, they just want to ride trains. The reasons given for this withdrawal do not ring true. More about this further on in this months On Track.

Africa Rail 2006 was held at the end of last month at Gallagher Estates. I unfortunately was not able to attend but it seams to be well supported with a lot of attendees and exhibitors having an eye on the imminent capital expenditure by Spoornet & Transnet.